Aston Martin DBX review

The DBX is pitched very much as a daily, and that point is no better made than the eleven - count ’em, eleven - optional lifestyle accessory packs. From ‘Snow Packs’ with tyre chains, ski-racks and a boot warmer, to the ‘Touring Pack’ (pretty fitted luggage, a safe under the front passenger seat and a first aid kit), to the ‘Pet Pack’ (dog bed, dirty paw shower unit, sill protector and dog guard - as well as other stuff) - it’s pretty much got you covered.

There are bike racks, an optional tow-bar (see the Interior section for more on that), a gun safe, picnic kits (the ‘Event Pack’), a ‘Sanctuary’ pack that has a battery conditioner and car cover - pretty much anything that you need to up your bottom line price. Even carbon tailpipe finishers (though they do also come part of the ‘Expression’ pack that includes illuminated treadplates and special valve caps…).

Put it this way: if you think you’re likely to walk out with a DBX for the £158k starting price, you may want to think again. Also, the V8 might be powerful and useful, but you’re looking at sub-20mpg all the time, max tax across the board and hefty insurance. If you have to ask how much the running costs are, you definitely can’t afford them.

And that’s before we get to the £189,000 DBX 707, where most of the cost uplift comes from mechanical enhancements rather than equipment. Still, it’s the one to go for and Aston reckons it’s likely to account for half of DBX production for a while. That’s right, everyone wants a 700bhp SUV.