2026 Aston Martin DBX S First Drive Review
The 2026 Aston Martin DBX S is a big step forward in the luxury SUV world. As the first performance-focused SUV from the British brand, it's a major change from Aston Martin's usual focus on sports cars. The DBX S brings the brand's signature elegance and fine craftsmanship together with strong power and high-performance features that you'd expect from a performance SUV. This isn't just any SUV—it's a bold statement, mixing luxury, speed, and advanced technology to set a new standard for high-end, all-terrain vehicles.
Aston Martin has always been known for iconic sports cars like the Vantage, DB11, and DBS, which have set the bar for design, speed, and luxury. With the DBX S, the brand is introducing a new type of vehicle—one that doesn’t sacrifice performance but also meets the growing need for practicality and versatility in the luxury SUV market.
Performance and Powertrain
At the center of the 2026 Aston Martin DBX S is a strong 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces a lot of power—707 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque. This engine is built to give a fun and exciting driving experience, offering smooth acceleration and a sound that suits the car's performance-oriented design. The V8 is connected to a 9-speed automatic transmission that works well to deliver power smoothly and keep the car performing at its best in any situation.
The numbers show just how fast the DBX S is. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, making it one of the quickest luxury SUVs on the market. But speed isn’t the only thing that makes the DBX S special. The engineers at Aston Martin have made sure the suspension and drivetrain work well together, providing a driving experience that is both quick and stable, even when going fast. Whether you are driving through tight turns or going on a long highway trip, the DBX S offers a thrilling and refined drive.
What makes the DBX S different is not only its power but also how versatile it is. It has an adaptive air suspension system that can change the ride height and how firm the suspension feels depending on the driving conditions. Whether you're driving on a track, on winding mountain roads, or just moving smoothly on the highway, the system adapts to make the ride better. This system works with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, which gives great traction and stability, making the SUV comfortable in city traffic as well as on rougher off-road paths.
The DBX S offers different driving modes, like Sport and Sport. In Sport mode, the car feels more responsive with quicker throttle response and better handling, which is great for an exciting drive. Sport+ takes this even further by making the car feel more track-ready, with better stability control, a more aggressive throttle response, and a stiffer suspension that keeps the car steady during fast turns.
In addition to speed and handling, the DBX S also has dynamic exhaust valves. These let drivers adjust the sound the car makes, choosing between a smoother or more powerful engine noise. This detail adds to the overall driving experience, making it more than just about performance—it enhances the connection between the driver and the car. Aston Martin has also focused a lot on how the weight is spread out and how stiff the chassis is, which improves the car’s handling. The low-slung design, combined with the use of light materials like aluminum and carbon fiber, helps reduce weight and makes the car more agile. This makes the DBX S feel very controlled in corners, offering the kind of precise steering and body control usually found in smaller, lighter vehicles.
Luxury Interior
Step inside the 2026 Aston Martin DBX S, and you'll quickly realize that this car isn't just about speed. The inside is a nicely put-together space where old-fashioned British style meets modern tech. Every part, from the buttons to the surfaces, has been made with care to give you a top-quality feel that shows Aston Martin's long tradition of making elegant, high-quality cars. The cabin is covered in hand-stitched leather, with Alcantara and polished metal details adding to the look. Buyers can pick from many color and material options, letting them personalize the car to fit their taste and make it feel even more special. You can tell how much detail went into making the dashboard and door panels, which create a feeling of luxury that's also very functional.
Comfort is a big part of the DBX S's design. The seats are sporty but still comfortable for long trips. They can be adjusted in many ways, including heating, cooling, and memory settings, so every driver can find the perfect position. The back seats are also well-designed, with plenty of room, good support, and the same high-quality materials as the front, making the whole ride feel refined and pleasant.
Technology is included in a way that makes it easy to use without getting in the way of driving.
A big screen in the center gives you access to navigation, car settings, and entertainment through a simple, clear design. The digital dashboard shows clear, customizable info, letting you focus on either performance details or comfort features, depending on what you need. The car also connects easily with your smartphone, making daily driving more convenient and fun.
Sound quality is another top feature of the DBX S's interior. The optional premium audio system is specially tuned for the car's shape, giving clear, balanced sound from every seat. Whether you're listening to music or hearing directions, the system adds to the calm, refined atmosphere inside the vehicle.
Advanced Features and Technology
The 2026 Aston Martin DBX S comes with many advanced features and smart technologies that make driving safer, more convenient, and more confident. These systems work quietly in the background, so drivers can enjoy the car's performance without being distracted. They help both daily driving and long trips. The main part of the DBX S's tech is a full set of driver assistance tools. Adaptive cruise control helps keep a safe distance from other cars, while lane-keeping support gently guides the car to stay in its lane. Automatic emergency braking stops the car quickly if it detects something in the way. All these features help make driving more relaxing and safe, without taking away from the driver's control.
To improve visibility, the car has a 360-degree camera system that shows a live view around the car.
This is helpful in small city areas and when parking. Front and rear parking sensors help by letting the driver know how close they are to objects, making slow driving easier. The lighting on the DBX S also has smart features. Adaptive LED headlights change their beam pattern depending on how fast the car is going and the road conditions. This provides better light at night and less glare for other drivers, making it easier to see and drive safely in the dark.
The car also has an adaptive air suspension system that uses smart electronics to adjust the ride.
It changes the car's height and how stiff it feels based on the road and how the driver is driving. Whether on city streets or highways, the suspension gives a smooth ride while still allowing for good handling when needed. Inside the car, the tech is designed to be easy to use and focused on the driver. The infotainment system is fast and has clear pictures, making it easy to use for navigation, car settings, and connecting to devices. Voice control lets the driver use commands instead of touching buttons, helping them stay focused on the road. The car also gets software updates wirelessly, so it can keep improving over time with the latest upgrades.
Driving Experience
The 2026 Aston Martin DBX S offers a driving experience that mixes high performance with the comfort you'd expect from a luxury SUV. Right from the start, the car feels steady, confident, and very quick for its size. Aston Martin has made sure the DBX S is fun to drive but still comfortable, making it great for both sporty drives and regular daily use. On open roads, the DBX S stays stable and balanced.
The steering is accurate and feels heavy enough, giving you a good sense of the road. This helps when driving on twisty roads, where the SUV handles well with very little body roll. Even though it's a large SUV, it feels grounded and quick to turn, offering confidence similar to smaller performance cars.
The adaptive suspension system helps shape how the car drives. When you're in comfort mode, the ride is smooth and handles bumps easily, making long trips and city driving pleasant. When you switch to a sportier setting, the suspension gets stiffer, making the car more responsive and better at turning. The switch between these modes is smooth, so the car adapts naturally to different driving conditions.
The car's acceleration is strong and fast, but not too sudden. The power comes in smoothly and predictably, making it easy to overtake and comfortable for highway driving. The all-wheel-drive system keeps the tires gripping the road in many different conditions, which gives the driver more confidence, especially when the road changes or the weather isn't perfect.
Braking is also very good. The brakes stop the car quickly and consistently, and the pedal feels natural, making you feel safe. Even when driving more aggressively, the DBX S stays under control, showing it's both a performance vehicle and a refined luxury SUV. In regular driving, the DBX S is easy to handle. The high seating position gives good visibility, and modern driver aids help make driving easier and less stressful. Whether you're stuck in city traffic, going on a highway, or driving through beautiful countryside roads, the car remains calm and composed.
