2026 Aston Martin DBX S nudges the super-SUV benchmark
Gaydon’s performance SUV has a new flagship, and it’s wearing an “S.” The 2026 Aston Martin DBX S builds on the already-formidable DBX707 formula, coupling a touch more firepower with thoughtful weight trimming, sharper steering and a bolder look inside and out. It’s a familiar recipe for Aston Martin—think Vanquish S, Vantage S—only this time the treatment is applied to a family hauler that happens to top 190 mph.
Powertrain and performance
The same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 remains, but Aston Martin borrows turbo hardware from the upcoming Valhalla hybrid supercar, most notably larger compressor wheels and revised internals. Output climbs to 727 PS (717 hp) while torque holds steady at 900 Nm (664 lb-ft). The nine-speed wet-clutch automatic is re-mapped to exploit the higher redline; upshifts come later, and downshifts in Sport and Sport+ are more dramatic. Officially the 0–62 mph sprint sticks at 3.3 seconds, yet the dash to 124 mph drops by three-tenths, suggesting gains appear higher up the range. Top speed is unchanged at 193 mph—plenty for a vehicle that can still tow the family boat.
Less mass, better balance
Rather than chasing headline power alone, engineers focused on unsprung and high-mounted mass. An optional single-weave carbon-fiber roof removes 18 kg (40 lb) from the vehicle’s highest point and eliminates roof rails in the process, lowering the center of gravity. Newly available 23-inch magnesium wheels, a first for any SUV, pare a further 19 kg (42 lb) of unsprung weight. Tick every lightweight box—carbon roof, magnesium wheels, honeycomb polycarbonate grille, carbon aero add-ons—and the DBX S is up to 47 kg (104 lb) lighter than a DBX707.
Chassis software keeps pace: a 4 percent quicker steering rack shaves the turning circle to 12.0 meters, and the adaptive air suspension’s calibrations, carried over from last year’s DBX update, hold roll to 1.5°—sports-car territory. Giant 420 mm/390 mm carbon-ceramic rotors remain standard and should have no trouble taming the extra speed.
Design that spells “S”
Subtle isn’t the brief. Up front, a black, vaned grille is standard, while a laser-etched polycarbonate insert with 25,000 facets is optional. Revised splitters and diffusers wear contrasting Rosso Corsa Red, Trophy Silver or Podium Green accents that underline the SUV’s flanks and wrap around the rear fascia. The most obvious change out back is a set of vertically stacked quad exhaust tips that leave no doubt this is the angry one.
Cabin, tech and sound
Inside, the seats debut a herringbone pattern that widens as it climbs the backrest—subtle motion without going full racing bucket. Lightweight Alcantara is standard on seats, headliner and major touch points, with semi-aniline leather on high-wear bolsters; a full-leather cabin remains on the order sheet. Red seat belts and “S” embroidery drive the point home, while the Aston wings are pressed into the headrests using a high-pressure embossing process for crisp detail.
The in-house infotainment system introduced across Aston’s range returns on a curved display, paired with an 800-watt, 14-speaker audio setup. Buyers who crave concert-hall volume can spec a 1,600-watt, 23-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system tuned specifically to the DBX S’s interior volume.
DBX S vs. DBX707
• Power: 717 hp versus 697 hp—roughly a three-percent bump.
• Weight: up to 104 lb lighter when fully optioned.
• Acceleration: identical 0–62 mph claim; improved 0–124 mph time for the S.
• Steering: four-percent quicker ratio in the S.
• Hardware: DBX S adds carbon roof, magnesium wheels, polycarbonate grille and revised transmission mapping.
• Visual cues: stacked quad exhausts, “S” badging, new sills with upturned splitters, accent livery.
In short, the S fine-tunes rather than reinvents the 707. Those chasing lap times might appreciate the marginal gains; others may see the 707 as close enough, especially if they plan to skip the costly lightweight extras.
The road ahead looks lighter and louder
The 2026 Aston Martin DBX S doesn’t reset the performance-SUV hierarchy, but it edges its sibling by leaning on smarter materials and a fraction more boost. Pricing hasn’t been released, and given today’s $236,000 starting point for the DBX707, expect a meaningful premium. Whether the upgrades justify the added spend will depend on how loudly you need to broadcast that your DBX is the sharpest one Aston sells.
-Ed
2026 Aston Martin DBX S
