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- Highs Standard V-12 engine sounds amazing, impressive acceleration times, classier styling than its rivals.
- Lows Brakes are difficult to modulate, heavy steering, not as agile as its rivals.
- Verdict It's quick and luxurious, but the DBS can't keep up with more focused sports cars on a twisty road.
Overview
American muscle cars pair a big engine with rear-wheel drive and punchy straight-line acceleration. The 2023 Aston Martin DBS follows the same formula, but in true British fashion, it's far more dignified, with a stately appearance and high-class cabin. It also costs a king's ransom. Wealthy aristocrats lucky enough to afford one of these beauties will find the 715-hp V-12 engine both refined and mega-powerful, but the DBS isn't a focused sports car. Similarly pricey machines, such as the McLaren GT and since-departed Ferrari 812 Superfast, are both more rewarding to drive, but the Aston is better than either of them at covering long distances with grace and repose.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What's New for 2023?
Model year 2023 is due to mark the end of the line for the current DBS coupe and convertible, and Aston is sending it out with a bang in the form of a limited-production model called 770 Ultimate. The British brand intends to build just 499 of these machines, 300 of which will be in the coupe body style and 199 in the convertible, or Volante, one. Every 770 Ultimate will have 759 horsepower on tap, likely from a retuned version of the twin-turbo 5.2-liter V-12 engine that's in the standard DBS.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We think the open-air experience of the soft-top Volante convertible is the one to get. Aston Martin offers a plethora of customization options for the DBS, so we challenge you to create a distinct look that'll help the car stand out at concours car shows in 50 years.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Capable of hitting 60 mph in a claimed 3.2 seconds for the coupe, the DBS is a monstrously quick touring car that tops out at 211 mph, regardless of bodystyle. A twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 engine makes 715 horsepower in the regular DBs and 759 horsepower in the 770 Ultimate models and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic; mash the gas pedal and the DBS takes off like a Saturn V rocket. Encounter some twisty roads and the DBS is rewarding—if challenging—to drive quickly. The ride is compliant over rough pavement, but don't expect the same level of refinement as in a Mercedes-Benz S-class. and
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Like other high-powered exotic sports cars, the DBS isn't particularly fuel efficient, but its 22-mpg highway fuel-economy rating from the EPA puts it ahead of similarly pricey sports cars such as the outgoing Ferrari F8 Tributo (19 mpg highway) and the Lamborghini Huracán (18 mpg highway). We haven't had the chance to test the DBS's fuel efficiency on our 200-mile highway fuel economy test, but if we ever do, we'll update this story with the results. For more information about the DBS's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The DBS is a grand-touring sports car and as such comes standard with plenty of luxuries to make your trip comfortable. Leather-wrapped power-adjustable sports seats with heat and memory settings are standard. Several different trim options are available within the DBS's cabin, including open-pore ash wood, carbon fiber, and satin-finished chrome. We aren't sure how many carry-on suitcases will fit inside the DBS's trunk because, unfortunately, we've not had one in our office for testing. But Aston Martin will sell you a four-piece custom luggage set that's even color-matched to the interior of your specific car.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All DBS models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment display with navigation, as well as Bluetooth phone and audio streaming connectivity. The infotainment interface itself is a lightly reskinned version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND software; a click wheel and touchpad on the center console allow the driver or passenger to navigate menus with relative ease. Overall, it's a fairly intuitive system. A nine-speaker stereo is standard, but buyers can upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen setup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
As far as driver-assistance features are concerned, Aston Martin offers few such items on the DBS. For more information about the DBS's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard front and rear parking sensors
- Standard 360-degree exterior camera system
- Standard airbags and electronic stability control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
As a boutique automaker, Aston Martin offers a unique warranty package that consists of a straight three-year protection policy that doesn't expire at a specific mileage. Buyers of the DBS will be stuck paying for their own dealer maintenance visits, however, as the brand offers no complimentary scheduled maintenance policy as standard.
- Limited warranty covers three years with unlimited miles during that time period
- Powertrain warranty covers three years with unlimited miles during that time period
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe
BASE PRICE
$314,186
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve V-12, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement
318 in3, 5204 cm3
Power
715 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
663 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.4 in
Length: 185.5 in
Width: 77.5 in
Height: 50.4 in
Passenger volume: 72 ft3
Trunk volume: 9 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 4100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 7.3 sec
¼-mile: 11.0 sec
Top speed (mfr's claim): 211 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/14/22 mpg
