2025 Aston Martin DB12 Road Test and Review

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

The Aston Martin DB12 is a luxurious grand touring machine and an exotic sports car rolled into one. Available as a two-door coupe or Volante convertible, the DB12 succeeded the DB11 in 2024, featuring a revised take on the brand’s iconic long-hood, short-deck design, a more luxurious cabin, a reworked 671-horsepower twin-turbo V8 capable of propelling the car to 202 mph, upgraded chassis hardware, and a more user-friendly infotainment system.

Base prices start in the mid-$250,000 range, and with a typically heavy load of options such as the test car’s Q Provenance Seychelles Blue paint and carbon ceramic brakes, an out-the-door price in the mid-$350,000s is quite possible.

In terms of Aston Martin’s lineup of front-engine GT coupes and convertibles, the DB12 sits between the more abbreviated and less costly Vantage and the pricier, stretchier, V12-powered Vanquish.

Competitors are few in this elevated space but include the Bentley Continental GT, Porsche 911 Turbo, Mercedes-AMG SL, and Ferrari Roma on the “low end” and Aston Martin’s own Vanquish V12 and the Ferrari 12Cilindri at the top.

Mercedes-AMG Power Play

Okay, so it’s not a V12 in the classic Aston Martin tradition. The Mercedes-AMG-built twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 under the hood of the DB12 also powers the smaller Aston Martin Vantage two-seat coupe and heavier DBX crossover SUV. For the DB12, the engine is tuned by Aston Martin to develop 671 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque in a broad swath from 2,750 to 6,000 rpm. The front midships-mounted engine is hooked to a crisp-shifting rear-mounted ZF eight-speed step-shift automatic transmission via a carbon-fiber driveshaft carried in an aluminum torque tube to an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. This layout gives the DB12 surprisingly balanced weight distribution.

Zero-to-60 mph acceleration is a brisk and invigorating 3.5 seconds. Although it’s true that there are numerous electric cars and some mainstream-brand internal combustion offerings priced below six figures that can match or top that, the DB12 delivers its performance with a heady feeling of mechanical mastery and an engaging sound track that channels purpose-built race cars.

While the new DB12 is quick off the mark, even more exciting is how the 4.0-liter V8’s large turbos and aggressive cam timing really pour on the power above 3,000 rpm, all the way to the engine’s 7,000-rpm redline.

For a high-performance ultra GT, the DB12’s EPA estimated fuel economy of 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway/17 mpg combined is better than expected. And when combined with the car’s generous 20.5 gallon fuel tank, it delivers surprisingly good cruising range, easily exceeding 350 miles. That’s not too shabby for a high-performance car capable of achieving a top speed of 202 mph.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Grand Touring at its Best

Inside, the DB12 is appropriately plush. There’s a preponderance of hand-stitched leather on the instrument panel, console, doors, and seats, interspersed with dashes of piano black, brushed aluminum and optional carbon-fiber trim accents. Selectable hues of ambient lighting bathe the cabin during nocturnal treks.

A configurable digital 10.25-inch driver display is complemented by a mix of physical buttons and knobs on the center console for frequently accessed functions, such as roller wheels for driver and passenger temperature, climate control blower speed, and audio volume, with easy-to-access hard buttons for a variety of other tasks. The stop/start button doubles as a rotary knob for selecting drive modes, and there are shortcut buttons for changing the damping rate of the electronically controlled shocks and the intensity of the engine exhaust sound. This reduces the need to scroll through distracting menus to access digital controls on the 10.25-inch center display.

An under-console open storage tray with a wireless cellphone charger, a power tilt and telescope steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, and twin cup holders add road-going convenience.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Fits Like a Glove

The DB12’s front seats fit one’s torso like a glove, cradling and supporting the driver and lucky front seat passenger in the right places while delivering all-day grand touring comfort. Covered in creamy-soft semi-aniline leather, the form-fitting, heated, “comfort” front seats feature quilted center sections and are 12-way power adjustable with three-position memory settings. Aston Martin thoughtfully moved the electric seat adjustment switches to the sides of the center console, where they are easy to see and reach.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Screen Play

The 2025 DB12 ditches the previous Mercedes-Benz-developed system of the DB11 for a new one created in-house. Although the DB12’s 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen isn’t among the largest displays available today, it’s perfectly sized for the cozy confines of the grand touring Aston Martin’s cabin, and it’s within easy reach of both the driver and front seat passenger. Standard audio is an 11-speaker, 390-watt system with an AM/FM/HD Radio tuner and SiriusXM. A thunderous 1,170-watt, 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio is an option. Or you could turn off the stereo and just revel in the gutsy roar of the DB12’s twin-turbo V8.

Both systems include navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, natural voice command with an “Aston” or “Hey, Aston” wakeup phrase, and a pair of USB ports.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Two Plus Two Convenience

There are a pair of luxuriously appointed but tiny rear jump seats in the DB12 coupe with three-point seat belts, but with the coupe’s low-sloping fastback roofline and front seatbacks butting up against the bottom seat cushions, the rearmost perches in the DB12 are best suited for stashing a computer bag, purse, briefcase, or a well-restrained small pet or two. The DB12 is the only Aston Martin coupe offering this 2+2 feature, as the smaller Vantage and larger Vanquish are strictly two-seaters. By GT car standards, the DB12’s 9.3 cubic-foot trunk is relatively generous and can easily accommodate a pair of airport roller bags.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Safety and Driver Assistance

The DB12 is well stocked with safety and advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) technology, including dual front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, and head curtain airbags. In a car capable of gathering extralegal rates of speed so quickly, I was glad for the DB12’s standard lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. And it was handy that the adaptive cruise control system now includes speed limit adaptation and lane-change assist. But as is typical on vehicles with limited rearward visibility and despite the assertion that what’s behind you doesn’t matter when in a 671-horsepower ultra GT, I was grateful for the blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assist, as well as the surround-view camera.

However, there are no crash ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These agencies do not rate limited-production luxury vehicles.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Turning a Wheel

Great cars deserve great tires. The DB12’s Michelin Pilot Sport S5 meaty summer performance tires, sized 275/35ZR21 in front and 325/30ZR21 in the back, deliver serious grip. The tires also incorporate a sound-damping foam band that is surprisingly effective at reducing coarse road noise. Winter tires are also available on the DB12 order sheet, although it’s unlikely many owners would be taking their quarter million dollar-plus thoroughbred out for a romp in less than perfect weather. As shown here, carbon ceramic brake rotors, which typically are less prone to warpage in high-speed or competitive driving, are also available at significant added cost.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Road Warrior

On the road, the lively but well-behaved powertrain means a deep well of power and torque is available across a wide engine speed range. This is complemented by impressive traction control that makes it easy to drive with confidence even at higher velocities. The DB12’s super stiff body construction means driver inputs are faithfully communicated to the chassis, resulting in steering response that feels precise and hard-wired. Overall, the DB12 benefits from a balanced and neutral handling chassis, and powerful, easy-to-modulate brakes. Dynamic torque vectoring sharpens steering response and the electronic differential allows jumping on the power early exiting a turn without worrying about the rear end swinging wide. In its default setting, the adaptive damping suspension remembers the Aston’s luxury mission, delivering a surprisingly comfy ride. Overall, the DB12 is calm and stable at speed for relaxed long-distance touring.

Among the DB12’s selectable driving modes, GT is the default setting and the best choice for most situations, delivering a premium balance of handling precision and ride comfort. Sport and Sport+ firm up the shocks and sharpen dynamic response, and Wet setting smooths throttle progression and improves control in low-traction conditions. Individual mode allows the driver to tailor throttle progression, gear changes, damper stiffness, and steering effort to personal taste.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

Luxury Meets Epic Performance

Just look at it. The Aston Martin DB12 turns heads sitting still. And that’s before firing up the lusty rumble of the car’s 671-horsepower V8. Bridging the gap between an exotic grand tourer and a purpose-built supercar, the DB12 convincingly fuses elegance with a thrilling driving experience.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 ・ Photo by Ron Sessions