scorecardI drove the Aston Martin DBX707 and saw what you get in an SUV that costs $276,000
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I drove the Aston Martin DBX707 and saw what you get in an SUV that costs $276,000

Tim Levin   

I drove the Aston Martin DBX707 and saw what you get in an SUV that costs $276,000
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707. Tim Levin/Insider
  • I drove the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707, a 697-horsepower, $276,000 SUV.
  • Highs include a leather-covered interior, sleek styling, and breathtaking performance.

If James Bond ever decided to settle down, he'd probably cruise the English countryside in an Aston Martin DBX707.

The SUV from 007's preferred brand offers enough room for a family, an exquisite interior that should satisfy any spy's refined tastes, and plenty of horsepower to outrun the bad guys — or catch them.

Smokescreens and grenades were curiously excluded from my otherwise generously appointed test car, but I'm sure Q could do something about that.

The DBX707 is the high-octane version of Aston Martin's first-ever SUV, the DBX. I lived with one for a week. Here's what it was like.

I think the DBX707 looks fabulous. Its stately hood, swooping contours, and signature Aston Martin mouth exude elegance.

I think the DBX707 looks fabulous. Its stately hood, swooping contours, and signature Aston Martin mouth exude elegance.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

To match the model’s focus on performance, Aston gave the DBX707 a larger grille opening (to cool its high-powered engine) and a host of aerodynamic tweaks, like a new spoiler, side skirts, and splitters in front and rear.

To match the model’s focus on performance, Aston gave the DBX707 a larger grille opening (to cool its high-powered engine) and a host of aerodynamic tweaks, like a new spoiler, side skirts, and splitters in front and rear.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insder

It all results in a look that's much more intimidating than the regular DBX’s more subtle presence.

It all results in a look that
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Massive 23-inch wheels — a $5,400 option — contributed to my test car’s dramatic look.

Massive 23-inch wheels — a $5,400 option — contributed to my test car’s dramatic look.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

While we’re on the topic of pricing, the DBX707 Aston lent me cost $275,986, including a transportation fee and a laundry list of expensive add-ons.

While we’re on the topic of pricing, the DBX707 Aston lent me cost $275,986, including a transportation fee and a laundry list of expensive add-ons.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Without the options, a DBX707 will run you around $236,000.

Without the options, a DBX707 will run you around $236,000.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Lots of the extra dough went to the SUV’s interior, which, from the opulent cockpit, felt like money well spent.

Lots of the extra dough went to the SUV’s interior, which, from the opulent cockpit, felt like money well spent.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Soft leather wrapped practically every surface.

Soft leather wrapped practically every surface.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The sporty, $8,000 seats featured an interesting, ribbed pattern and had adjustable bolsters — so I could choose how tightly they hugged my sides.

The sporty, $8,000 seats featured an interesting, ribbed pattern and had adjustable bolsters — so I could choose how tightly they hugged my sides.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

At first I was a bit disappointed in the gray interior, then I noticed the subtle pops of deep purple on the headrests and trimming the seats.

At first I was a bit disappointed in the gray interior, then I noticed the subtle pops of deep purple on the headrests and trimming the seats.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

That special color cost another $6,200.

That special color cost another $6,200.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both the front and rear seats were heated and cooled. If you have a quarter-million bucks to spend, why settle for anything less than the ideal butt temperature?

Both the front and rear seats were heated and cooled. If you have a quarter-million bucks to spend, why settle for anything less than the ideal butt temperature?
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The steering wheel was wrapped in leather and Alcantara, a soft, suede-like material. The doors were soft-close, meaning they'd automatically latch closed if I didn't shut them all the way.

The steering wheel was wrapped in leather and Alcantara, a soft, suede-like material. The doors were soft-close, meaning they
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The gear-shifting paddles behind the steering wheel were made of solid metal and made a satisfying ping if you flicked them.

The gear-shifting paddles behind the steering wheel were made of solid metal and made a satisfying ping if you flicked them.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The only thing missing from Aston’s swanky cabin is modern technology. I mean, when were you last in a new car that didn’t have a touchscreen?

The only thing missing from Aston’s swanky cabin is modern technology. I mean, when were you last in a new car that didn’t have a touchscreen?
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Buyers who don’t love the way touchscreens are invading new cars might enjoy the DBX707’s relatively analog controls. There’s a whole assortment of buttons for the heated seats, climate settings, and so on.

Buyers who don’t love the way touchscreens are invading new cars might enjoy the DBX707’s relatively analog controls. There’s a whole assortment of buttons for the heated seats, climate settings, and so on.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Aston’s operating system, however, borrowed from older Mercedes-Benzes, is clunky compared to much of the industry. And it’s lightyears behind the bleeding edge.

The Aston’s operating system, however, borrowed from older Mercedes-Benzes, is clunky compared to much of the industry. And it’s lightyears behind the bleeding edge.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

You need to use a dial or a touchpad to navigate the display, which isn’t as intuitive as tapping. Fortunately, Aston Martin offers Apple CarPlay, and it recently introduced an in-house interface.

You need to use a dial or a touchpad to navigate the display, which isn’t as intuitive as tapping. Fortunately, Aston Martin offers Apple CarPlay, and it recently introduced an in-house interface.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

There is some useful tech, though, like a 360-degree camera that helps with parking.

There is some useful tech, though, like a 360-degree camera that helps with parking.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

And besides, a lack of flashy screens means you can focus on the best part of the DBX707: driving it.

And besides, a lack of flashy screens means you can focus on the best part of the DBX707: driving it.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/insider

The SUV’s twin-turbo V8 generates 697 horsepower, or 707 PS according to the metric equivalent. (DBX697 just wouldn’t have the same ring to it.)

The SUV’s twin-turbo V8 generates 697 horsepower, or 707 PS according to the metric equivalent. (DBX697 just wouldn’t have the same ring to it.)
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

It provides several drive modes, which you can scroll through using a dial in the center console. The sportier settings lower the car, stiffen up the suspension, and make gear shifts more aggressive.

It provides several drive modes, which you can scroll through using a dial in the center console. The sportier settings lower the car, stiffen up the suspension, and make gear shifts more aggressive.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Pin your right foot down on an onramp and the DBX707 will relentlessly rocket forward with a throaty roar.

Pin your right foot down on an onramp and the DBX707 will relentlessly rocket forward with a throaty roar.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

Even at 60 or 70 mph the Aston feels like it’s just getting started. You can change gears manually or let the DBX do the work.

Even at 60 or 70 mph the Aston feels like it’s just getting started. You can change gears manually or let the DBX do the work.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The super-powerful SUV can hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, Aston says, on its way to a top speed of 193 mph.

The super-powerful SUV can hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, Aston says, on its way to a top speed of 193 mph.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

I instinctively reached down just about every time I wanted to select a gear. But you get into drive, park, or reverse using a series of glass buttons. on the dashboard.

I instinctively reached down just about every time I wanted to select a gear. But you get into drive, park, or reverse using a series of glass buttons. on the dashboard.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

An off-road setting raises the SUV to its highest ride height. And you can also manually raise and lower the DBX707 using buttons in the cargo area — to make the process of loading and unloading a little easier.

An off-road setting raises the SUV to its highest ride height. And you can also manually raise and lower the DBX707 using buttons in the cargo area — to make the process of loading and unloading a little easier.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

The 707 shined on curvy mountain roads. Thanks to its sharp steering and minimal body roll, it handled itself more like an agile sports car than a lumbering SUV.

The 707 shined on curvy mountain roads. Thanks to its sharp steering and minimal body roll, it handled itself more like an agile sports car than a lumbering SUV.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

One downside, though, is that the 707 doesn’t glide over rough pavement like some other luxury SUVs. It's probably smoother without the extra-large wheels.

One downside, though, is that the 707 doesn’t glide over rough pavement like some other luxury SUVs. It
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

If you can look past the somewhat low-tech experience, you’ll be delighted by the DBX707’s sleek styling, luxurious cabin, and heart-thumping performance.

If you can look past the somewhat low-tech experience, you’ll be delighted by the DBX707’s sleek styling, luxurious cabin, and heart-thumping performance.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider

And it doesn’t hurt to feel a little bit like 007 every now and again.

And it doesn’t hurt to feel a little bit like 007 every now and again.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.      Tim Levin/Insider
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