2025 Aston Martin Vantage Evaluate

A extra compact footprint sufficiently differentiates the Vantage from the bigger DB12 grand tourer and Vanquish flagship. Each these stellar fashions serve their goal, however the smallest Aston within the lineup caters to driving fanatics with a dynamic and nimble chassis.

That chassis now homes a twin-turbo AMG V8 massaged by Aston to pump out an unbelievable 656 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The concurrently svelte, sinewy, and muscular exterior traces give strategy to a surprising inside, which could simply function the Vantage’s spotlight.

Altogether, tech permits the Vantage to inhabit a newly luxurious, easy, and highly effective function within the lineup. In some way extra unique, extra highly effective, and extra inexpensive than a Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Vantage fairly probably represents probably the most engaging deal within the six-figure sports activities automotive realm.

Briefly: Chic to have a look at, the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is equally as partaking to drive. The brand new face-lifted mannequin 12 months lacks a V12 engine possibility, positive. However, the twin-turbo 4.0L engine’s low-end torque and high-end horsepower present gobstopping efficiency.

Adjustable exhaust, suspension, steering, and transmission shifting complement the powertrain, proving as soon as once more that the brand new Aston below Lawrence Stroll’s management continues to enhance 12 months over 12 months by persistently including new knockouts to the lineup. The engine, design, inside, experience high quality, and value all mix completely to set the Vantage atop many lists of dream automobiles.

2025 Aston Martin Vantage Evaluate

Earlier than I obtained this 2025 Vantage loaner, the design caught my eye each in pics and in individual. However I at all times take automotive “first drive” critiques, sometimes carried out below tightly monitored circumstances, with a grain of salt. In different phrases, the Vantage arrived in Los Angeles with robust sneakers to fill, however I nonetheless harbored some skepticism.

Identical Powertrain, Extra Energy

The engine, nonetheless constructed by AMG however now “tuned by Aston Martin,” undoubtedly hits the nail on the top. How can the identical 4.0 L now put out 156 extra horsepower than the “regular” outgoing Vantage — and even 128 horsepower greater than the older automotive’s strongest F1 variant?

Taming that unbelievable energy, a ubiquitous ZF eight-speed computerized gearbox mounts in a “transaxle” location between the rear wheels. However I quickly discovered that, to my shock, this transmission shouldn’t be a dual-clutch, as on the Vanquish. And that’s a bummer, as a result of the Vanquish’s DCT may probably reside as much as Porsche’s PDK requirements.

Nonetheless, the normal torque converter computerized permits the Vantage to shift extra easily. Plus, fashionable electronically adjustable shock dampers additional contribute to an incredibly wide selection of makes use of for the brand new Vantage.

I set every little thing to the softest drive modes and cruised across the roughest roads of Los Angeles in consolation. Solely the worst ruts and pace bumps brought on any jolting within the cabin, and the comparatively excessive experience top (in comparison with different supercars) by no means required a front-axle carry system.

Within the softest mode, the Vantage’s engine settles right into a mellow idle, totally thumping out torque at low revs. The deep rumble simply pleads for launch into increased RPMs, although. So quickly sufficient, I headed out to Malibu to set the Vantage unfastened.

Getting critical meant switching over first into Sport mode, after which Sport+ to open up the exhaust valving, stiffen up the dampers, and tighten the steering to offer a touch extra suggestions.

Dealing with

Rocketing out onto straightaways, the 4.0L V8’s high-end output in all probability issues lower than the deep wells of torque on reserve. Therefore the choice to skip a DCT, maybe, since second and third gear suffice for nearly any (authorized) use on public roads. Then once more, I stored popping down a gear simply to listen to extra turbo blowoff and the pops and bangs of overrun.

The transaxle format helps with dealing with in some ways, however maybe greatest by offering a little bit of a rear bias when punching arduous on the brakes. Setting the Vantage’s nostril through these carbon ceramics (a $14,400 possibility) requires only a smidge of toe stress. Then the entrance tires hook up, prepared to tear across the tightest corners with out as a lot squiggle from the rear finish, which a extra typical transmission connected to the engine may create.

Whereas cornering, the transaxle then offers higher weight distribution to maintain the surface tires planted. This enables Aston to make use of barely softer suspension damping, making a little bit of compliance and luxury to assist masks a curb weight that tops out above 3,800 kilos. However the tires nonetheless stayed merely glued to the tarmac.

Till, that’s, I began to feather in some energy. With the entrance wheels at even a light angle, the rears simply like to step out. However every second of oversteer left me impressed, given the benefit with which I caught on to holding throttle enter and leaning into the slide.

On a misty morning on the town, I additionally found that in moist circumstances, the Vantage will fortunately drift even with traction and stability management totally on. The short steering, exact however missing in some suggestions as typical of electrically assisted programs, helps make such shenanigans rather less scary, given the prodigious price ticket.

Consolation & Tech

In the meantime, ripping round Malibu or by way of visitors in L.A., I match simply fantastic at 6’1” with lengthy limbs. The usual seats stored me snugged into place with out the discomfort of racier buckets.

CarPlay linked promptly every time, too. However most significantly, Aston’s new middle console design options an ideal design, highlighted by textured steel dials for many touchpoints.

The screens could be on the smaller finish of the spectrum, at simply 10.25 inches for each the infotainment and gauges. However as I discovered on the Vanquish, the purpose is simply to get in and drive, specializing in the highway, not a bunch of digital readouts.

Pricing & Competitors

In contrast to that $600,000-plus Vanquish, although, by some means Aston priced the brand new Vantage decrease than a Porsche 911 Turbo — and considerably under a Turbo S (which begins at $230,000 earlier than tacking on Porsche’s notorious choices, which tally up even faster than Aston’s). That Turbo S places out 640 horsepower presently, which explains why Aston upped the AMG engine’s output to 656 ponies.

The 2025 Vantage begins at $191,000. My overview automobile has a sticker value of $287,400. Skip a few of the much less necessary choices, just like the $13,600 for this gaudy Cosmopolitan Yellow paint, and hastily, the 2025 Vantage appears surprisingly attainable. For an Aston Martin, anyhow.

2025 Vantage Evaluate: Conclusions

I handed again the keys to my Vantage nearly in a funk. Few automobiles ever handle to reside as much as expectations so nicely, even within the six-figure value vary. Aston wrote an enormous test with the up to date exterior design, and cashed in with a spectacular experience that may serve equally as a every day driver — it’s a hatchback, in any case — or a hard-charging canyon carver.

In truth, the Vantage boils down every little thing nice about Aston Martin into one good character: Trendy, sporty, snug, and now extra highly effective than ever. Calling any automotive with nearly $100,000 in choices inexpensive can actually sound absurd, and but in comparison with the competitors the Vantage positive seems like a screaming deal.

Regardless of being clearly out of attain for the 99%, this true aspirational automotive legitimately left me debating my life selections. It’s simply that good.