The ultimate lifestyle compromise that doesn’t actually feel like a compromise? The new Aston Martin DBX S: a 727hp supercar cleverly disguised as a practical family SUV. Designed for those who want to take the kids to school in style, then immediately tear up a B road, the DBX S is a more driver-focused, powerful evolution of the DBX707, adding 20hp to an already astonishingly fast vehicle.

Any Aston Martin bearing the ‘S’ badge is at the pinnacle of performance. The lineage dates to 1953 and the gorgeous DB3S racing car. Since then, the letter has been used sparingly to denote a more powerful version of an existing model. In recent time, the 2004 Vanquish S marked the beginning of a new era of these thrilling cars.

Thanks to upgraded turbos, sharper steering and a more aggressive exhaust, the £210,000 DBX S is Aston Martin’s most potent family car to date. Although fuel economy is poor and its high emissions will anger Greta Thunberg, the latest DBX has few rivals for its crown as the king of the SUVs.

A gentleman’s Range Rover SVR, the DBX S is no less thrilling, just a lot more refined. It offers a comfortable GT experience in its softest mode, before unleashing a twin-turbocharged V8 capable of 0-62mph in just 3.3 seconds, with a top speed of 195mph.

So, where better to put the new DBX S to the test than the Alps; a winter playground that also offers some of the most demanding roads in Europe. My start point is Santre Dolomythic in the South Tyrol, a boutique hotel and spa that sports a ‘Car Gallery’, rather than a parking garage. Perched on the sunny slopes of the Plose mountain, this five-star haven of calm can only be reached via the SP29 from Bressanone, a road that twists and turns its way skyward with a never-ending series of hairpin bends.

Which suggests there isn’t much opportunity to unleash an Aston Martin – especially given the locals have a penchant for driving their superminis up these passes with breathtaking abandon. However, this is a top-tier, ultra-performance SUV, distributing power between the front and rear wheels in variable proportions, depending on levels of grip. If one wheel slips, then power is transferred to the tyre with the most traction.

Gleaming in the sunlight, my Podium Green DBX S is delightful to behold. Upgrades are subtle but include a performance body kit and twin, vertically-stacked exhaust pipes that announce the DBX’s arrival with a guttural snort.

To trim weight and add to the Aston’s sporty credentials, buyers can opt for a carbon-fibre roof that dispenses with roof rails but saves 18kg. Choose huge, 23-inch magnesium wheels to trim another 19kg.

Tucked away under a shapely bonnet, the 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine is equipped with turbos borrowed from the brand’s Formula One team. The same system will also be fitted on Aston’s forthcoming Valhalla supercar.

Inside a sublime cabin, a ‘sporty’ Alcantara trim is standard issue, with the option of door-to-door leather. Discreet ‘S’ badging suggests this is no ordinary DBX, while this is also the first car anywhere to feature Apple CarPlay Ultra, an upgraded operating system that works best with more modern iPhones. In-car entertainment is provided by Aston Martin’s 800w, 14-speaker audio system with surround sound. However, there’s also the option of a 23-speaker, 1600w Bowers & Wilkins set-up that will make your hair stand on end.

Personally, I prefer the noise from a set of quad exhaust pipes, stacked vertically in pairs with either a matte or gloss finish. The rear bumper of the DBX S has been completely redesigned to incorporate the S tailpipes and can also be specified in carbon fibre to reduce weight by a further 7kg.

Driving the DBX S in the Dolomites is a reminder of how intoxicating a high-performance V8 engine can be. The sound, the urgency, the bottomless pit of power – it all adds up to a terrifically exciting vehicle, one that also happens to carry a family and 638-litres of their luggage to the ski slopes in supreme comfort.

Engaging Sport mode intensifies performance, lowering the air suspension, sharpening throttle response and increasing the steering weight – turn response is also four per cent quicker – and valves open on the quad exhaust pipes for an even more aggressive soundtrack.

Each hairpin turn requires a dab of the carbon fibre brakes and reveals a new perspective of the mountains. A recalibration of the suspension set-up has added impressive body control and strong grip around corners – changing from comfortable GT to supercar in a split second.

The S proves much more explosive and altogether more focused than anything in the Bentley Bentayga or Porsche Cayenne range too. The Aston even steals a march on the uber-expensive Ferrari Purosangue. As for appearance, none of those cars stack up against the DBX, while less expensive rivals such as the BMW XM and Mercedes-AMG G63 simply aren’t pretty. Only the similarly-priced Lamborghini Urus SE, a plug-in hybrid, looks equally good.

I’d recommend the perfectly polished Plasma Blue paintwork, which reflects the white slopes of the Dolomites in its deep lustre. On the other had, a quarter of all Aston models are now ordered in Racing Green, a shade that reflects the livery of the marque’s Formula One team and latest Le Mans car.

Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark, who joined the company from Bentley 18 months ago, says the brand will continue to focus on performance with upcoming models. “The DBX S not only reaffirms our commitment to building exciting, beautiful cars, it also sends a powerful statement of intent about our future ambitions.”

In 2026, that includes S versions of the best-selling Vantage and the flagship DB12, both of which will make a dash across the Dolomites an even more thrilling experience.

Aston Martin DBX S – By Numbers

Engine: 4-litre V8
0-62 mph: 3.3 seconds
Top speed: 193 mph
Max power: 717 bhp
Max torque: 900 nm
Price: From £210,545

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