In-depth reviews

Aston Martin DB11 review

The Aston Martin DB11 is an old-school grand tourer that blends gorgeous looks with blistering performance and surprising comfort

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.5 out of 5

Price
£166,405 to £180,755
  • Great looks
  • Ride and handling balance
  • Performance
  • Cramped rear seats
  • High running costs
  • Interior quality
Find your Aston Martin DB11
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
From:£92,990 cash
PCP finance available
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The Aston Martin DB11 is the brand’s first all-new car in nearly 14 years. Heavily influenced by the DB10 that starred in the James Bond movie Spectre, the DB11 sets the tone for future Aston Martin models. The DB11 isn't just a pretty face, either, as the flowing lines hide clever aerodynamic additions that both deliver downforce and reduce drag.

Best supercars on sale

Yet, it’s the way the car rides and handles that really impresses. It’s claimed to be the softest Aston yet, meaning it flows over bumps with a supple poise that its predecessor can’t match. However, this comfort doesn’t affect the handling, as the DB11 displays remarkable agility and control for a car that tips the scales at over 1,800kg.

The cabin mixes cutting-edge style and electronics supplied by Mercedes, although some of the materials and finish are some way short of the likes of the Bentley Continental or even the Audi R8. Cramped rear seats and hefty running costs also count against the DB11, but for many buyers the car’s ravenous thirst for fuel won’t be a problem.

Besides, that doesn't detract from the DB11 being one of the fastest and most desirable long-distance cruisers money can buy. 

The Aston Martin DB11 is the replacement for the long-running DB9, and it brings up-to-date technology to Aston's range of large-capacity grand tourers. At the top of the range, power still comes from a V12 engine, but the 5.2-litre unit is a brand-new design that features twin turbos to give the car 600bhp and 700Nm of torque. It's mated to an eight-speed auto gearbox mounted on the transaxle, and as a result performance is electric, with the 0-62mph sprint taking just 3.9 seconds.

Although it only went on sale in 2016, Aston replaced the V12 DB11 with the DB11 AMR in 2018. This features the same V12 engine, but with 630bhp instead of 600bhp. Tweaked dampers, gearbox settings and a new exhaust also feature in the AMR, together with extra carbon fibre on the bonnet, sills and cabin.

For even more performance, Aston Martin sell a DBS Superleggera version which manages to eke a staggering 715bhp and 900Nm from the same V12 engine. There's also a DB11 V8, which is substantially cheaper to buy. And, although, it loses out to the V12 in many ways - it only develops a 'mere' 503bhp and 685Nm of torque, for example - we think it's a better model overall.

Fans of luxurious drop tops, meanwhile, are taken care of by the soft-top DB11 Volante. Available only with the V8 engine, the Volante sacrifices little in the way of performance to its coupe stablemate, while the addition of a folding roof does little to spoil the car's flowing lines.

As well as new engines, the DB11 uses an all-new platform that will be used on a number of Aston's next models, including the 2018 Vantage and the DBX crossover. The new structure is far stiffer than before, but while it features plenty of aluminium in its construction, the DB11 still weighs over 1,800kg.

In whatever guise you opt for, the DB11 has a lot of power. To transmit its performance to the road, the DB11 has an advanced chassis featuring sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, double wishbone up front and standard-fit adaptive dampers. AMR and DBS versions share a similar set up, but with the dampers, suspension bushes and anti-roll bars tightened up.

Aston Martin's twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 is smaller than the 6.0-litre unit in the DB9, but it's more powerful. Peak power was 600bhp in the DB11 V12, but now stands at 630bhp in the DB11 AMR, while both cars have 700Nm of torque available from as low as 1,500rpm.

That's a lot of power to put to the Tarmac, but the DB11's new chassis features a sophisticated multi-link rear axle set-up, double wishbones up front and standard-fit adaptive dampers, with the dampers, suspension bushes and anti-roll bar tightened up for the AMR version.

Aston claims that the DB11 is the softest Aston ever, but while it's very comfortable, the dampers can control wheel movement, so the DB11 still delivers sharp and agile handling.

On the outside, the DB11 takes inspiration from James Bond's exclusive DB10, and it's easily recognisable as an Aston, with a low-slung shape, long bonnet and short rear end. But the lines are thoroughly modern, with sharp lines and plenty of design features to turn heads, while also providing aerodynamic efficiency to keep the car glued to the road without the need to add ungainly wings to the elegant bodywork. Aston also offers a range of personalisation options for customers, so buyers can tailor their car to their desires.

That personalisation carries over to the cabin, which is hand-made and features plenty of wood and leather, as you would expect. What you might not expect is the Mercedes-sourced switchgear that's used in the cabin. Aston has signed up with Mercedes to provide the electronic systems, so you get Merc's Comand control wheel on the centre console, as well as its familiar single-stalk wiper/light control behind the steering wheel. However, these parts are well integrated and don't detract from the Aston's high-class finish.

With prices starting not far short of £150,000, there aren't many rivals for the Aston Martin DB11, but they do exist. Chief among these is the Bentley Continental GT, which delivers the same kind of luxury and performance that a hand-built British grand tourer can manage. Elsewhere, the Mercedes S-Class Coupe is an upmarket alternative that also has V12 power in AMG 65 guise, while the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is another front-engined GT, although one that costs nearly twice as much. Another pricey alternative is the Rolls-Royce Wraith.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    V8 2dr Touchtronic Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £150,900

Most Economical

  • Name
    V8 2dr Touchtronic Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £150,900

Fastest

  • Name
    V12 630 2dr Touchtronic Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £178,000

More on DB11

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera - best supercars
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera - front
Best cars & vans
15 Jan 2021

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera - best supercars

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera slots into the space between the DB11 and the Vantage
Aston Martin DB11 AMR vs Bentley Continental GT
Aston Martin DB11 AMR vs Bentley Continental GT - header
Car group tests
5 Nov 2018

Aston Martin DB11 AMR vs Bentley Continental GT

The more focused Aston Martin DB11 AMR locks horns with the Bentley Continental GT in a grand tourer battle of Britain
New Aston Martin DB11 AMR 2018 review
Aston Martin DB11 AMR - front
Road tests
6 Sep 2018

New Aston Martin DB11 AMR 2018 review

Aston Martin’s updated DB11 comes close to the perfect big V12 GT recipe in updated AMR spec
Q by Aston Martin unveils a pair of special DB11s
Aston martin Henley Royal Regatta DB11 Volante
News
5 Jul 2018

Q by Aston Martin unveils a pair of special DB11s

Q by Aston Martin has announced two new DB11 commissions - the Henley Royal Regatta DB11 Volante and the DB11 Classic Driver Edition
New Aston Martin DB11 Volante 2018 review
Aston Martin DB11 Volante - front
Road tests
5 Jun 2018

New Aston Martin DB11 Volante 2018 review

There's no doubt the new Aston Martin DB11 Volante looks great, but is this £160k convertible among the best to drive?
New Aston Martin DB11 AMR revealed with 630bhp
Aston Martin DB11 AMR - front
News
13 May 2018

New Aston Martin DB11 AMR revealed with 630bhp

The Aston Martin DB11 AMR is the first model from the brand's performance arm, and it replaces the standard V12 in the line-up
Brabus-tuned Startech Aston Martin DB11 SP610 on show
Startech DB11 - Geneva
News
7 Mar 2018

Brabus-tuned Startech Aston Martin DB11 SP610 on show

Mercedes tuning firm Brabus works its magic on the Aston Martin DB11 via the Startech brand
New Aston Martin DB11 V8 review
Aston Martin DB11 - front
Road tests
22 Nov 2017

New Aston Martin DB11 V8 review

Smaller engine and suspension tweaks make the Aston Martin DB11 V8 even sweeter than its V12 big brother
New 2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante uncovered
Aston Martin DB11 Volante - front
News
13 Oct 2017

New 2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante uncovered

The convertible Aston Martin DB11 Volante will be exclusively V8-powered, with no V12 option available, when it arrives in early 2018
Hotter 2018 Aston Martin DB11 S spotted on the road
Aston Martin DB11 S spies front
News
24 Jul 2017

Hotter 2018 Aston Martin DB11 S spotted on the road

Aston Martin's more powerful 'S' spec DB11 is expected to arrive next year with upwards of 650bhp
Aston Martin DB11 V8 revealed with 503bhp AMG powertrain
Aston Martin DB11 V8 - front
News
27 Jun 2017

Aston Martin DB11 V8 revealed with 503bhp AMG powertrain

The Aston Martin DB11 V8 is the first fruit of the brand's deal with Mercedes
One-off Aston Martin DB11 blasts into Henley Regatta
News
26 Jun 2017

One-off Aston Martin DB11 blasts into Henley Regatta

Aston Martin's 'Q' personalisation division shows what it can do with one-off car for royal regatta at Henley
DB11 Q by Aston Martin shows off bespoke service
DB11 Q by Aston Martin 1
News
22 Feb 2017

DB11 Q by Aston Martin shows off bespoke service

Geneva Motor Show to host special DB11 Q by Aston Martin that shows off brand's bespoke manufacture service
New Aston Martin DB11 2016 review
Aston Martin DB11 - front
Road tests
23 Sep 2016

New Aston Martin DB11 2016 review

Beautiful British Aston Martin DB11 driven for the first time on UK roads
Aston Martin DB11 twin-turbo V12 production starts
Aston Martin 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine - header
News
21 Jun 2016

Aston Martin DB11 twin-turbo V12 production starts

Production of Aston Martin’s new twin-turbo V12 engine has started in Cologne, Germany, with the first DB11s due in showrooms this autumn
New Aston Martin DB11 shows off its stunning lines at Geneva
Aston Martin DB11 - Geneva show front close-up
News
18 Mar 2016

New Aston Martin DB11 shows off its stunning lines at Geneva

The £155k Aston Martin DB11 is the replacement for the iconic DB9 with more power and extra cabin space