2024 Aston Martin DBX707

Why does Aston Martin make an SUV? Because buyers of the brand's sports cars tend to own a lot of vehicles, and one of them is almost always an SUV. The DBX has become the brand's runaway best-seller, accounting for half of its sales. More than just a real back seat and usable cargo space wrapped in sculptural Aston Martin styling, the DBX successfully translates the sports-car driving dynamics and world-beating power of the DB cars and Vantage into an all-terrain SUV.

We're going to guess it's not a coincidence that the high-performance version of the DBX makes 707 horsepower. Aston Martin is keenly aware of the positive associations between it and a certain fictional spy who goes by a different three-digit number ending in 07. But the way we calculate horsepower in the U.S. differs from how the rest of the world does, and so what elsewhere is 707 horsepower translates here to 697 hp. In addition to the extra 155 horsepower over the standard model, the DBX707 gets an upgraded transmission and rear axle, unique suspension calibrations, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a distinctive body kit with more aggressive front and rear fascias and sill panels.

Ten years ago, it was unimaginable that Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini would all sell SUVs. But not only does the DBX compete with the Purosangue and Urus, there's the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, not to mention the Maserati Levante Trofeo. But the yardstick they all have to measure up to is the vehicle that started the luxury/performance SUV trend 20 years ago: the Porsche Cayenne. In Turbo E-Hybrid trim, the Cayenne puts out 729 horsepower and can travel some 20 miles on electric power alone. You know you're in elite company when the Porsche crest may not have sufficient cachet, but brand recognition is about the only reason to choose any of the others over a Cayenne.