Aston Martin Vantage Coupe full 9 point review

  • Performance

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad An Aston Martin with a 4.7-litre V8 sounds exciting, doesn't it? Then how about one with a 6.0 V12? You can have either and the noise that you hear when you push the starter button sounds even better. Both are quick - but not quite as quick as you might expect.

  • Ride & Handling

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad The Vantage is a physical, manly kind of car with hefty, firm controls. But the Vantage is agile and pointy, especially the more gardcore S version, and grip is immense. The ride is firm, but forgiving enough to take the edge of bigger bumps, although the S is extremely stiff on bumpy roads.

  • Refinement

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad Aston has done a great job of isolating road noise on most surfaces, and there’s little wind disturbance within UK speed limits. As for the engine sound, it's a background murmur when cruising, but crack open the throttle and a metallic timbre rises to a glorious growl that you won’t be able to resist provoking.

  • Buying & Owning

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership The Vantage is meant to be an everyday supercar, like the Porsche 911 – albeit a more exclusive one – so Aston promises maintenance bills will be similar. It costs more than a Porsche to buy, and it drinks fuel at a greater rate, however. Residual values are about the same as a 911's.

  • Quality & Reliability

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership If the V8 Vantage is to succeed as an everyday supercar, buyers need to be sure it won’t let them down. Reliability seems to be ever-improving after some early issues, and most of the former switchgear from Ford (Aston's previous owner) has been gradually replaced, although the build quality isn't up to Porsche 911 standards.

  • Safety & Security

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership It’s disappointing to find that there are no curtain airbags in the Vantage. Electronic safety aids include stability control and electronic brakeforce distribution. A Tracker system to help trace the car should it be stolen is optional rather than standard.

  • Behind The Wheel

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin The grippy leather seats are powered, the steering wheel moves two ways and the front and rear windscreens afford a decent forward and rearward view. Angled junctions are another matter – you simply can’t see a thing. If you choose to load your Vantage up with optional equipment, there are lots of small, identical switches that aren’t easy to identify.

  • Space & Practicality

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin The Vantage is a two-seat hatchback. Its 300-litre boot is big enough for two sets of golf clubs, and there’s a foldaway parcel shelf. More luggage fits on a ledge behind the two seats. The cabin is snug – occupants sit well towards the centre of the car – and there’s not much space for oddments.

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin Leather or Alcantara upholstery, climate control, a six-CD multichanger, big alloy wheels and electrically adjustable seats come as standard. Options include premium hi-fi systemsand various interior finishes. In effect, though, you can personalise the Vantage however you want – Astons are still hand-built.

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