Aston Martin DB12 Review: Why Everyone Is Talking About the ‘Super Tourer’ Revolution

Aston Martin DB12 takes everything you think you know about grand touring and throws it in the rearview mirror. This isn’t just a pretty face; it’s a 671 hp ‘super tourer’ built to crush long distances, twisty roads, and your lingering crush on Ferrari and Porsche.

You know that nagging feeling when you finally land your dream GT, only to realize it’s either brutally fast but exhausting to live with, or insanely comfortable but about as exciting as a tax return? That compromise has haunted grand tourers for years. Gorgeous bodywork, yes. But numb steering, laggy infotainment, and a sense that the car is built more for the valet stand than for you.

If you've ever walked away from a six-figure test drive thinking, "Is that it?" — you're exactly who this story is for.

Because the Aston Martin DB12 steps in with a bold promise: no more choosing between a supercar and a GT. This is the self-proclaimed "world's first super tourer" — and after digging through specs, road tests, and owner impressions, it's not just marketing fluff. It genuinely feels like the car where Aston Martin finally snapped and said: let's build the one we actually want to drive.

Meet the Aston Martin DB12: The Solution to Boring GTs

The Aston Martin DB12 is the successor to the DB11, but calling it a mere update is like calling a jet an upgrade to a train. Built by Aston Martin Lagonda, the DB12 keeps the front-engine, rear-drive GT recipe but turns every dial to 11: more power, more grip, massively sharper dynamics, and — crucially — a fully overhauled interior and infotainment system that finally feels 2020s, not 2010s.

Under the hood sits a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing around 680 PS (671 hp) and 800 Nm of torque, sending power through an 8-speed automatic to the rear wheels. Aston quotes 0–60 mph in about 3.5 seconds and a top speed near 202 mph (325 km/h). But the numbers only tell half the story; the other half is how deliberately this car is tuned to make you feel something, every time you turn the wheel.

Why this specific model?

The market is crowded with overachievers: Ferrari Roma, Bentley Continental GT, Porsche 911 Turbo S — each brilliant in its own lane. The DB12 tries to weave between them, offering supercar pace with a more romantic GT personality. And it does it with a few very specific tricks.

1. A chassis built for feel, not just speed
Aston didn't just add power; it made the DB12 stiffer, lighter in key areas, and more precise. Independent reviewers highlight the new suspension setup and adaptive dampers as a huge leap from the DB11. You get multiple driving modes, from relaxed GT cruising to genuinely aggressive dynamics that don't turn the car into a nervous track special. The result: you can crush a 500-mile journey and still be looking for a mountain pass on the way home.

2. A V8 that feels alive
The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is a known quantity in the performance world, but Aston's calibration is what makes it special here. Testers consistently mention the way it surges from low revs, the muscular mid-range, and a soundtrack that's rich without being obnoxious. On forums and Reddit, DB12-curious buyers often mention that it "feels like the Vantage grew up, put on a tux, and kept the attitude."

3. Finally, an Aston infotainment system you actually want to use
One of the biggest flaws of older Astons was their infotainment — clunky, dated, and very obviously borrowed. The DB12 debuts Aston Martin's own infotainment platform, with a high-resolution central touchscreen, contemporary graphics, and a user interface that reviewers describe as "actually modern" and "a huge step forward." Wireless connectivity, faster responses, better integration with driving functions — it's suddenly a place you want to spend hours in, not just tolerate.

4. A cabin that feels like a luxury instrument
Reviewers consistently rave about the DB12 interior design and material quality. While exact materials and components are detailed by Aston Martin on its official site, what stands out in testing is the blend of craftsmanship and modern tech: a driver-focused cockpit, physical controls where they matter, and a sense of bespoke luxury that rivals or exceeds Bentley and Ferrari in character, if not always in sheer opulence. This is a cabin where you feel invited to drive, not just admire.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
4.0L twin-turbo V8 (approx. 671 hp / 680 PS, 800 Nm)	Supercar-level acceleration with effortless passing power on highways and mountain roads.
0–60 mph in about 3.5 seconds	Instant, drama-filled thrust when you need it, without sacrificing GT comfort.
Top speed around 202 mph (325 km/h)	Serious performance credibility and a huge reserve of speed for autobahn or track.
New Aston Martin-developed infotainment system	Modern, responsive interface that finally matches the price tag and luxury expectations.
Re-engineered chassis and adaptive suspension	Sharper handling with adjustable comfort levels for long-distance touring or spirited drives.
Rear-wheel drive with electronic stability and drive modes	Engaging, playful dynamics with tech safety nets when conditions get tricky.
New interior design with driver-focused layout	A cockpit that feels special every time you get in, with controls placed where you actually want them.

What Users Are Saying

Spend a few hours in Reddit threads and enthusiast forums and a pattern emerges around the Aston Martin DB12.

The praise:

• Styling: Even in a world of wild supercars, the DB12 gets called out as "the best-looking GT on sale" and "old-school Aston elegance with real menace."
• Driving feel: Early drives and reviews highlight steering feel and composure as massive upgrades over the DB11 — more agile, more communicative, and more confidence-inspiring at pace.
• Engine character: The V8 gets love for its response, torque, and noise, with many saying it strikes the ideal balance between refined and feral.
• Interior & tech: There's a lot of relief that the infotainment and digital experience finally look and feel worthy of the badge.

The criticism:

• Price: Nobody pretends this is good value in the traditional sense. It's an emotional purchase and sits in a brutally competitive price bracket.
• Practicality: It's still a 2+2 GT with limited rear space; buyers who need a true four-seater may look to Bentley or a larger coupe.
• Long-term reliability & support: As with many exotics, potential owners on Reddit talk about dealer experience and maintenance costs as key decision factors compared with Porsche or Mercedes-AMG.

Overall sentiment? Enthusiast communities seem genuinely excited. The DB12 is widely seen as Aston Martin taking the fight seriously again — not just relying on heritage and looks.

It's also worth noting, for those who care about the business behind the beauty, that Aston Martin Lagonda (ISIN: GB00BN7CG237) is pushing the DB12 as a strategic flagship in its modern lineup, signaling how important this car is to the brand's future.

Alternatives vs. Aston Martin DB12

You don't buy a DB12 in a vacuum. Here's how it sits in the current GT landscape:

• Ferrari Roma: The Roma is lighter and has an even more razor-edged feel, with a higher-revving character. It's arguably more focused and a bit more "supercar in a suit." The DB12 counters with a richer sense of luxury, a more classic GT stance, and a slightly more relaxed, muscular power delivery.
• Bentley Continental GT: The Bentley is the king of opulent comfort — heavier, quieter, more like a private jet on wheels. The DB12 aims to be the driver's choice: more engagement, more feedback, and a sportier persona.
• Porsche 911 Turbo S: If you want devastating, all-weather speed and everyday usability, the Turbo S is hard to beat. But it's a different vibe: more clinical, more common, less of an event to look at. The DB12 wins on drama, exclusivity, and GT theater.
• Mercedes-AMG GT: The AMG GT is closer philosophically, with huge power and a front-mid-engine feel. Yet the Aston tends to be seen as more elegant and bespoke, with that intangible "Aston-ness" that AMGs — for all their brilliance — don't quite replicate.

In short: the DB12 is not the quickest, nor the most rational. It's the one you buy when your heart wants the classic front-engine GT silhouette, but your brain refuses to accept outdated tech or lazy dynamics.

Final Verdict

The Aston Martin DB12 is the GT for people who are tired of compromises. It looks like a hand-drawn fantasy from a school notebook, moves like a modern supercar, and finally behaves inside like a 21st-century luxury flagship. It takes the core promise of a grand tourer — cross continents quickly, in comfort, with style — and then adds the sort of sharpness and connection you usually only get from a pure sports car.

Is it expensive? Absolutely. Are there faster or more practical options? Of course. But if you're shopping in this league, the question isn't "What's the logical choice?" It's: "Which one will I still glance back at every single time I walk away?"

For many, that answer is now the Aston Martin DB12. It's not just a new model; it feels like a statement that Aston is very much alive, very much listening, and finally building the super tourer we've all been waiting for.