DRIVEN: Aston Martin's New DBX Gives Porsche PLENTY To Worry About

It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of the DBX to Aston Martin’s future. The investment is unprecedented within the company’s 107-year history. It has even constructed a new factory specifically to build what is the first clean-sheet-design Aston Martin since the Vanquish. This is the car the company bet the majority stake of its IPO offering on back in 2018 and yet for many it’s the antithesis of everything the company stands for. 

It is also the most complete performance SUV that has ever been built, and this is coming from someone who can’t abide the things, and is the only one that can claim to be a genuine performance car rather than simply an overweight SUV with the power output of a supersaloon.

MDarringer - 8/10/2020 2:09:14 PM

-1 Boost

Umm NO. Porsche can match the performance for $80K less.

runninglogan1 - 8/10/2020 4:58:21 PM

+3 Boost

You don't understand why people by Astons. Understandable.

MDarringer - 8/10/2020 9:10:07 PM

-1 Boost

(1) This is a reskinned Mercedes.
(2) This is positioned wrong for Aston to get to a place of financial health anytime soon.
(3) Aston will be acquired by a bigger company. This is far too little and far too late.

Car4life1 - 8/10/2020 2:16:47 PM

+2 Boost

This thing will be a profit bonanza for Mercedes & Aston, making thousands off GLC parts/tech/engine

Porsche does have the offerings but is unfortunately becoming less desirable the more they saturate the market with SUVs it’s like a catch 22.

Aston Martin will have the desirability appeal because of its name and the fact that this is its first stab at an SUV powered by the best selling performance engine in the sector powering all of the “63” AMGs

MDarringer - 8/10/2020 2:43:17 PM

-1 Boost

At $210K and looking like a Ford Escape this will NOT be a boon to Aston.

runninglogan1 - 8/10/2020 4:58:54 PM

+3 Boost

Yes it WILL.

MDarringer - 8/10/2020 8:54:49 PM

-1 Boost

No, it WON'T.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/10/2020 2:19:39 PM

+1 Boost

This should be a winner for Aston and those who shop at your local high street who want something different to drive. Which to MD's point about a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, yes it is cheaper, but also much more commonplace. That won't do..

If there are Lamborghini Urus SUVs driving by in my area, I am pretty sure the guy down the street with a white Vanquish will dump his matching white Maserati Levante SUV and get one of these as soon as they are available. It's about having something different and a bit special. And with Aston only expecting 4,000 units sold a year, it should be a doable goal for them to hit.

USNA1999 - 8/10/2020 8:50:04 PM

+2 Boost

Holly smokes, I agree with you once again;)

supermoto - 8/10/2020 2:49:04 PM

0 Boost

I'd take an Urus any day over this.

runninglogan1 - 8/10/2020 4:59:15 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sure you would.

runninglogan1 - 8/10/2020 5:00:15 PM

+1 Boost

Just what Aston needed to save the day. In the nick of time.

mini22 - 8/10/2020 7:23:31 PM

+2 Boost

I think its a good looking vehicle. It will probably not be much competition to the Porsche Cayenne but then again its in a different price point.It has an interior that is far nice looking than the DB11 or the Vantage. I think it will keep them in business just as Cayenne did for Porsche when it came out 20 years ago.It will probably make up 90% of Aston sales.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/10/2020 9:02:34 PM

+1 Boost

Now if only GM would listen to @MD and make Corvette a stand alone brand and add a small and mid size SUV with Corvette motors and styling queues. I can't see it failing even if it is only sold in North America. This formula is proven and it works for every brand. Chevy and the Corvette team just need to do it.

valhallakey - 8/10/2020 9:11:32 PM

+2 Boost

Agree, that’s probably a good idea.

MDarringer - 8/10/2020 9:14:22 PM

-1 Boost

The positioning of the model is essential and $210K is simply too much for a Mercedes GLC that looks like a Ford Escape.

Aston needs much more than 4K units in volume from this.

When Porsche did the Cayenne, they positioned it very well and then let the price creep, which necessitated the need for the Macan. BMW did the same with X5 which made the case for an X3. In both cases, they hit the sweet spot in the market. The sweet spot for Aston would have been price parity with the Cayenne.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/10/2020 9:36:20 PM

+2 Boost

@MD-History may be prove you are correct, but with Stroll's dough their marching orders (right or wrong) is to go after Ferrari, ensure exclusivity and only build cars to order. Very little stock at the dealer if any outside of the showroom. Likely built with lots of options and uber bespoke treatments too.

Section_31_JTK - 8/10/2020 10:25:09 PM

0 Boost

I doubt it's going to be move the needle very much. Most folks would prefer the reliable and more sporting Porsche. Aston is more like an affectation. It'll be for the ultra rich poseurs on Rodeo Drive.

mini22 - 8/11/2020 2:38:01 AM

+3 Boost

Its the best vehicle they make now. One can only hope it keeps them afloat. They did take a very long time to develop it.

MDarringer - 8/11/2020 10:55:31 AM

-1 Boost

They will be bought out sooner rather than later.