Big on power and exclusivity the DBX707 stands out in a pricey SUV market.

South Beach Miami was the venue for WTOP’s introduction to the first SUV in the Aston Martin lineup, the DBX. With sensuous Aston Martin styling, and power courtesy of a Mercedes-AMG sourced 542 horsepower V8, heads turned on Ocean Drive.

The DBX is a fun Sport-Ute, and the twin-turbo V8 moves DBX with alacrity. The problem with the DBX is 542 horsepower is just not enough to compete for the “Crown” of being the world’s most powerful Sport Utility. Given the British roots of the 106-year-old Aston Martin marque, do understand that wearing a crown is part of the heritage and history of Great Britain.

So two months after driving the DBX in Florida, off to idyllic Sardinia, Italy we went to drive the 2022 Aston Martin DBX707, dubbed “The World’s Most Powerful Luxury SUV” by Aston Martin. With 697-horsepower, it now officially wears the crown. The word “Luxury” is in italics, as there are more powerful Sport-Ute offerings from Tesla, Dodge and Jeep in the lower rungs of the SUV status ladder.

The more muscular 707 is still powered by the Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, but adds larger turbochargers, enhanced engine breathing, a less-restrictive exhaust, and a new wet-clutch nine-speed automatic transmission. Zero-to-60 comes up in a blistering 3.1 seconds and top speed is 193 mph. The braking system, with massive 16.5” carbon ceramic front rotors and 15.4” rear rotors are impressively effective at hauling you down from triple digit speeds.

The great, twisty roads through mountains and hills in Sardinia were the perfect test bed for the DBX707, with local residents staring with admiration at our high-performance Sport-Utes. Now locals weren’t the only ones with eyes on our powerful entourage, as the local “Polizia Stradale” kept our speeds honest through laser and radar enforcement.

But even though we had to behave (mostly!) the DBX707’s full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and thrust on demand made driving throughout the elevations very easy, very well controlled and downright fun. The DBX707 rolls on standard 22” wheels and tires with 23” alloys optional. The 707 is suspended via adaptive triple-chamber air springs and dampers, coupled to the “eARC,” a sophisticated 48-volt electric anti-roll system. Aston Martin engineers successfully calibrated DBX707 to have the cornering agility and dynamic character of an Aston Martin sports car, fully integrating chassis and powertrain technology for optimum performance at all times.

An upgraded front-end treatment sees the DBX707 receive a larger satin chrome grille and updated Daytime Running Light design versus the base DBX, along with new air intakes and brake cooling ducts, and an enhanced front splitter profile. The rear-end treatment adds a lip spoiler to the roof wing to reduce lift and increase high speed stability, with an enlarged twin rear diffuser encasing the large diameter quad exhaust system. Finished in satin black to compliment the gloss black treatment of the diffuser, the free-flowing exhaust system has been tuned to deliver a unique sound signature.

The luxe, handcrafted interior of the DBX707 has been designed to provide equal space and comfort whether sitting in the front or rear rows of this five-seater. Aston Martin’s claim of class-leading headroom, legroom and overall interior room is legit, as I am 6’9” tall and weigh 275 pounds.

I was super comfortable over our multi-hour drive across Sardinia. The full-length glass panoramic roof adds even more headroom, and the roof and frameless door glass combine to offer a bright and spacious cabin.

There are thoughtful touches throughout the interior, including a bridged center console with flexible storage below. This feature keeps valuables close to hand, frees up the front passenger seat where handbags often reside, and keeps those expensive handbags away from dirt on the car’s floor mats. Our test model had a full complement of carbon fiber dash and console trim.

DBX707 owners can choose from three interior environments: standard issue “Accelerate,” which features a mix of leather and Alcantara, as well as the optional Inspire – “Comfort” and “Inspire Sport,” which feature full Semi-Aniline leather complete with embroidered Aston Martin wings on the headrest, a contrast stripe down the center of the seat and perforation pattern in the seat back and base cushion.

A 12.3” Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen provides requisite speed, performance, navigation, entertainment info and other pertinent information to the driver. A 10.25” TFT screen sits flush in the center console. Apple CarPlay comes as standard (Android Auto not yet available), as does a 360-degree camera system and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colors in two zones.

Part of the membership in the High-End Luxury Club always entails a large measure of bespoke capability for owners. With that, the “Q by Aston Martin,” bespoke program offers an array of options to outfit your DBX or DBX707 to reflect your personality.

The Aston Martin DBX is a legitimate contender in the luxury Sport-Ute segment, as Aston Martin has the hot-selling Lamborghini Urus square in its sights. Where the Urus is wild in styling and performance, with a “in your face” demeanor; the DBX707 is a proper Brit — refined, well dressed and in the know. This is a superb luxury Sport Ute, and is certainly worthy of the Crown.

Aston Martin DBX707 prices begin at $236,086. Destination & Delivery charges total $3,086.

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