Aston Martin has debuted the DBX SUV on the eve of the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. The DBX looks absolutely stunning and it looks like the company wants this vehicle to sell in volumes but, with a starting price tag of $189,900, can it become the company’s best-seller?

The Aston Martin DBX Exudes Class Even On The Outside

Aston Martin started developing the DBX back in 2015 and started testing it on roads last year. From the initial impressions, it’s quite clear that the British carmaker has put in a lot of effort to build the DBX. The signature horizontal-slat ‘DB’ grille makes its way on the face, along with many other design cues like the tear-drop headlights and the curvy shape all around the body. The five-seater is not the biggest SUV out there, but it still has a strong presence and looks intimidating with those big, bulky tires. It comes with distinct features that exude luxuriousness like frameless windows and glass finish to the B-pillars. The tailgate comes with a flip that’s reminiscent of the Vantage.

The Cabin Feels Rich

Aston Martin claims the SUV to have a class-leading headroom and legroom, so this pretty much answers how spacious the SUV will be. The interior is fully handcrafted and the company has made use of metal, glass, and wood throughout the cabin. The seats are trimmed in full-grain leather and are designed by the company’s long-term partner, Bridge of Weir. On the technology front, the DBX comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen system that supports Apple CarPlay. The instrument cluster is a bigger 12.3-inch screen that offers a plethora of details. Aston Martin is also offering a lot of customization options through its Q by Aston Martin program. Here, you can add in options like seats made up of 80-percent wool and a center console finished in solid wood, among other delicacies.

With all the seats in place, the DBX offers 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Flip the second row and you’ll have 54 cubic feet available at your disposal. The seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 ratio. The other features include:

-* Full-length glass panoramic roof

-* 360-degree camera system

-* Ambient lighting with 64 different colors

-* Frameless windows

-* Headlining and electric roof blind available in Alcantara

-* Separate armrests for the front occupants

A Tried-and-Tested Engine Makes Its Way Under The Hood

The DBX is powered by a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, V-8 engine that’s seen in the DB11 and the Vantage as well. Yes, at a time when automakers are abandoning V-8s, Aston Martin is offering one in the DBX. The mill makes 542 ponies and 516 pound-feet of torque. All the swoosh is channeled to the all-wheel-drive system through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Aston Martin DBX also comes with adaptive triple-volume air suspension and electronic adaptive dampers for smoother ride quality and more practicality, as well as an active exhaust system and cylinder deactivation.

The biggest highlight seems to be the aerodynamics on this one, which itself suggests the car will be a strong performer at higher speeds. For instance, there’s an aerodynamic duct integrated into the DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) that helps channel the air to the front wheel arches, then there’s a design detail that helps clear the rear windshield on its own, and so on. Given that it’s the company’s first stint with an SUV, it’s nice to see the attention it has paid to such intricacies.

The First 500 to Buy the DBX Get An Exclusive Package

Aston Martin is also offering an exclusive ‘1913 Package’ to the first 500 customers (the company was founded in 1913, hence the name). These 500 units will be inspected and endorsed by the company’s CEO, Andy Palmer. The package also includes a unique build-book signed by Andy Palmer, as well as Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. To top it all off, there will be an invitation to a regionally hosted Waldorf Astoria celebration cocktail party, hosted by a member of the Aston Martin Lagonda executive team. Quite fancy.

Final Thoughts

One thing you can definitely be sure of is that the DBX will be one fine product. It’s not just because Aston Martin wants to make a mark in the SUV segment, but also because this is perhaps the last attempt the company has to re-establish itself. The CEO himself said that “I can’t emphasize enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin.” Aston Martin has lost approximately three-fourths of its market value since going public on the London Stock Exchange in October 2018. This is definitely not a good sign and the company probably has a lot of hopes pinned onto the DBX.

The DBX will be built at the company’s new St. Athan factory in Wales. The company will build the SUV along with two new models under the Lagonda brand here. Aston Martin will deliver the DBX to U.S. customers in the second half of 2020. What do you think about the 2021 Aston Martin DBX? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.