Aston Martin DB12 in the US: Is the ‘Super Tourer’ Really Worth It?

Aston Martin calls the DB12 a ‘super tourer’ and prices it well into six figures for US buyers. But is it genuinely new, or just a facelifted DB11 with better marketing? Here is what you are not being told yet.

Bottom line up front: The Aston Martin DB12 is finally reaching US driveways with more power, a fully overhauled cockpit, and tech that actually belongs in this decade, but it also carries a price that forces you to ask if it is really worth it over a Porsche 911 Turbo S or a Bentley Continental GT.

If you are in the US shopping in that rarefied $250,000-plus bracket, the DB12 is Aston Martin's loudest statement right now: a rear-drive, twin-turbo V8 "super tourer" that tries to blend GT comfort with near-supercar pace and the kind of presence that stops traffic on Ocean Drive or Sunset Boulevard.

What you need to know before you spec one in the US...

Analysis: What9s behind the hype

Aston Martin bills the DB12 as the start of its "next-generation" era, even though it still rides on an evolved version of the DB11 platform. The big stories are power, chassis tuning, and a complete technology reboot inside the cabin.

Under the hood you get a hand-assembled 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, sourced from Mercedes-AMG but heavily reworked by Aston. Independent tests from outlets like Car and Driver and Top Gear report that it feels significantly more urgent than the old V8 DB11, with a much freer-revving character and more immediate throttle response.

Inside, the DB12 finally ditches the outdated, Mercedes-derived infotainment that critics slammed in earlier Aston models. Reviewers at US-focused publications highlight that the new touchscreen, snappier interface, and clean physical-button layout make daily use far less frustrating than in older Aston GTs.

Key spec	Aston Martin DB12 (US-spec, approx.)
Engine	4.0L twin-turbo V8 (front-mounted, hand-assembled)
Power output	Approx. mid-650 hp range (manufacturer-quoted, V8 only)
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel drive with electronic rear differential
Gearbox	8-speed automatic, paddle shifters
0-60 mph (claimed)	Low 3-second to high 3-second bracket, depending on conditions
Top speed (claimed)	Above 200 mph
Body style	2+2 GT coupe (DB12 Volante convertible also available)
Approx. US base price	Positioned in the mid-$200,000s before options; real-world builds often go higher
Infotainment	New Aston-designed touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and modern navigation
Driver aids	Available adaptive cruise, lane support, parking aids, and multiple drive modes

Note: Exact US pricing, performance numbers, and equipment can vary by dealer allocation and options. Always verify current figures directly with an authorized Aston Martin dealer or the official site before you buy.

How it actually feels from behind the wheel

Early drives from US and UK journalists converge on the same theme: the DB12 is noticeably sharper than the DB11 without losing its long-distance poise. The steering has more weight and feedback, the body control is tidier, and the brake pedal feels better tuned for spirited driving on canyon roads or fast interstates.

Reviewers on YouTube and in print consistently mention that the DB12's rear-wheel-drive layout gives it a more playful, enthusiast-friendly balance than some all-wheel-drive rivals. Switch into the sportier drive modes and the car tightens up, with louder exhaust and more immediate throttle mapping, but it does not punish you over rough pavement in cities like Los Angeles or Miami the way some stiffly sprung supercars can.

Inside the new Aston cockpit

The cockpit is where existing Aston owners will feel the biggest jump. Instead of the old, laggy interface and awkward gear selector buttons, the DB12 gets a modern, horizontally oriented display, a cleaner dashboard, and a combination of touch and physical controls that most reviewers argue is a smart balance.

Real-world impressions from US-based YouTubers praise the overall material quality and the sense of occasion: stitched leather everywhere, metallic switchgear, carefully integrated ambient lighting, and the kind of bespoke options that can make your car genuinely one-of-one if you work through Aston's custom programs.

It is still a 2+2, though. Adults can sit in the back for short rides, but if you intend to use the rear seats often, most experts recommend seeing them as extra luggage space rather than true people-carrying seats, especially if you are tall.

What it means for US buyers

For the US market, the DB12 is targeted directly at people who might otherwise buy a high-spec Porsche 911, Bentley Continental GT, or even a Ferrari Roma. That means serious money and serious expectations around both performance and day-to-day livability.

Official US pricing sits in the mid-six-figure range before options, and with bespoke paint, interior tailoring, and carbon upgrades, many real-world cars reportedly leave showrooms well above their base MSRP. Insurance, fuel, and maintenance will also sit firmly in exotic-car territory.

Availability is tied to allocation and regional demand. Dealers in major US luxury hubs like Southern California, New York, Florida, and Texas tend to see earlier and larger allocations, while smaller markets could face longer wait times or more limited build slots. If you want a specific spec, you will likely be placing an order, not picking from the lot.

How it stacks up against rivals

Against a Porsche 911 Turbo S, the DB12 trades raw track-focused precision and all-weather traction for style, character, and a more dramatic, front-engine GT feel. The Porsche is quicker off the line and almost clinically effective, but fewer people will turn around for a 911 in a valet line compared with a DB12 with the right color and wheel combo.

Compared with a Bentley Continental GT, the DB12 sits slightly more on the sport side of the spectrum. The Bentley leans into isolation and opulence, while the Aston feels lighter, more driver centered, and more expressive from the outside, even though both can cross states in comfort.

The Ferrari Roma might be its closest emotional rival: sleek, glamorous, and positioned as a daily-drivable GT with real performance. Expert reviewers tend to see the DB12 as a bit more traditional in its layout and sound, with a design that nods to Aston heritage, while the Roma is sharper, louder, and a bit more extroverted in how it goes about its business.

Is this really new, or just a heavy refresh?

Many seasoned reviewers describe the DB12 as a "massive facelift" of the DB11 rather than a totally clean-sheet car, and that is important context if you care about platforms and engineering purity. The underpinnings are heavily reworked, but not entirely new in the way an all-new platform would be.

However, the sum of the changes - powertrain tuning, chassis upgrades, structural work, and especially the interior tech - is so extensive that it feels significantly different to drive and live with. In practice, that means it behaves like a new car for the user, even if engineers know that much of the core architecture is evolved rather than reinvented.

What the experts say (Verdict)

Across major outlets and enthusiast channels, the consensus is that the Aston Martin DB12 is the most convincing road car Aston has built in years. It finally aligns the brand's glamour and movie-star image with modern tech and engineering that can genuinely compete with its German and Italian rivals.

Pros most experts agree on:

• Serious performance that feels appropriately fast for the segment, with a charismatic V8 soundtrack.
• Much improved interior with a modern infotainment system, better ergonomics, and a higher perceived quality.
• Stronger handling than the DB11, with more precise steering and better body control without ruining ride comfort.
• Standout design that feels instantly recognizable as an Aston, with more aggression and presence than its predecessor.
• Personalization potential that lets US buyers create genuinely unique specs through colors, upholstery, and trim.

Cons and caveats to keep in mind:

• Price and depreciation: As with most high-end exotics, you are paying a brand and design premium, and long-term values can be volatile.
• Rear seats are token: They work for kids or very short hops, but this is effectively a 2+2 GT, not a real four-seater.
• Ownership costs: Insurance, service, and consumables are in proper supercar territory, especially in major US cities.
• Not a full clean-sheet car: Purists may balk at the fact that it is built on an evolved DB11 structure rather than an all-new platform.
• Dealer network depth: Depending on where you live in the US, you might be far from an authorized service point.

If you are a US buyer cross-shopping a Ferrari Roma or a Bentley Continental GT, the DB12 is the option for you if you value a front-engine, rear-drive feel and want something that still looks like a classic Aston silhouette but drives with a sharp edge. It is not the objectively fastest or most tech-crazy car in its competitive set, yet it arguably lands closest to the fantasy people have when they picture an Aston Martin: glamorous, loud in the right way, and genuinely special every time you walk up to it.

If that emotional pull matters as much as numbers on a spec sheet, the DB12 finally gives you a reason to put Aston Martin back at the top of your US short list.