Aston Martin Vantage Review (2018-present)

What is the Aston Martin Vantage?

One of the first of a new era of Aston Martins, the current Vantage is a very different proposition to the car it replaced. Whereas the previous model was demanding in everyday use but sensational to drive on a flowing B-road, the latest version swings the needle in the opposite direction.

It’s far easier to live with day-to-day, but when weather, road and traffic conditions converge in that serendipitous way, it’s not quite as rewarding as its predecessor.

How practical is it?

The Vantage is a strict two-seater, but it has a very usable boot. If you’re dead set on an Aston Martin but need a bit more space and a pair of admittedly small rear seats, then check out the DB11. For the cost of a new Vantage, you could buy a one-year-old DB11 AMR, complete with its life-affirming V12 engine.

Its dashboard design is very busy indeed; there are buttons scattered everywhere. It’d be a stretch to call the car’s interior beautiful, although there is real craftsmanship in the stitching and the soft leather upholstery.

What's it like to drive?

Heavy steering, an awkward fly-off handbrake, a weighty clutch pedal and manual gearshift (where fitted) made the last Vantage a recalcitrant car at times. It had a narrow operating window, but within it, its communicative hydraulic steering, exquisite balance, and sonorous naturally aspirated engines (V8 or V12) made it as engaging to hustle as anything else in the sector.

The new model, with its electrically assisted steering, unimpeachable grip, and turbocharged powertrain is less visceral in every way, but objectively, it has far more outright performance to call on. It’s also an easier car to live with, particularly if you choose the excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox over the seven-speed manual.

The Vantage has changed its spots. It’s a pity the new car isn’t quite as thrilling to drive as its predecessor, but its superior manners in normal driving are almost certainly intended to appeal to a wider range of buyers.

Only one engine is offered for the time being. It’s the same Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that also serves in the DBX and the entry-level DB11 (and the Mercedes-AMG GT). Good for 503bhp and a mighty 505lb ft of torque, it’s spectacularly powerful, and the throttle response is remarkably sharp for a turbocharged engine. However, it’s a pity the howling V8 soundtrack of old has been lost to tuneless exhaust blare and engineered-in cracks and pops when you shift gear.

The Vantage coupe weighs 1,530kg and the Roadster 1,590kg (both without fluids), meaning neither is a flyweight for its class. Nonetheless, even the heavier droptop model will reach 62mph in just 3.7 seconds and run on to a top speed of 190mph. The coupe is faster still, sprinting from rest to 62mph in 3.6 seconds and not stopping until it reaches 195mph. The best acceleration figures are achieved with the eight-speed automatic transmission, rather than the seven-speed manual.

A V12 Vantage was introduced in mid-2022 as a swansong primarily for Aston’s long-serving V12 engine. The 5.2-litre twin turbo unit produces an immense 690bhp and renders the car good for 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Like most Aston Martins these days the Vantage’s infotainment system is borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, although being a previous generation unit, it now feels a little outdated. At least it works reliably. something that hasn’t always been true of Aston Martin infotainment systems in the past. It comes with an eight-inch screen and comprises satellite navigation, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, and iPhone and USB connectivity.

Other standard equipment includes automatic dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors with cameras, leather and Alcantara trim and memory seats.

Aston Martin Vantage running costs

No 500bhp sports car will ever be affordable to run. Aston Martin says you’ll see 27mpg in mixed driving, but the real-world mpg figure is likely to be closer to 22mpg, while in more spirited driving, fuel economy could drop into the low teens.

A full set of tyres for the 20-inch wheels will categorically not come cheap, and if you drive your Vantage to its limits, you’ll get through those at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, insurance group 50 means you’ll spend a sizeable sum each year, and it’s the same top whack for road tax.

Aston Martin’s five-year service plan will keep the cost of routine maintenance down for the first half-decade, but after that, you should budget £1,000 per year for servicing at the very least, even at a specialist rather than a main dealer.

Aston Martin Vantage reliability

Aston Martins are woefully unreliable; that’s the running narrative. It is true that cars from the previous generation – such as the DB9 and the earlier naturally-aspirated Vantage – have earned reputations for being troublesome and costly. The current Vantage, however, belongs to a new era of Astons, sitting on a newly developed platform and powered by a proven Mercedes-AMG engine. Many of the car’s electrical systems are also borrowed from the German giant, which isn’t a bad sign in reliability terms.

Every new Aston Martin is covered by a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which owners can extend at additional cost for up to two more years. Three grades of extended warranty are offered – Plus, Premium and Classic – each covering a greater or lesser number of the vehicle’s components to suit varying budgets.