Aston Martin DB12 Review: Why This ‘Super Tourer’ Is Rewriting the GT Rulebook
12.01.2026 - 20:35:23
You know that feeling when a so?called dream car turns out to be more status symbol than soul mate? The spec sheet looks perfect, the badge is prestigious, but once you actually drive it, everything feels… muted. Too quiet. Too sanitized. Like the passion’s been engineered out in favor of comfort, tech, and resale value.
If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel of a big luxury GT and thought, "Is this it? Is this all?"—you’re exactly who this story is for.
Enter the Aston Martin DB12, a car the brand pointedly refuses to call a grand tourer. Instead, Aston coins a new term: Super Tourer. It’s more than marketing bravado. This is Aston’s attempt to fix everything enthusiasts complain about in modern GTs—numb steering, sleepy handling, generic interiors—and fuse it with the drama you secretly wish your commute had.
Why the Aston Martin DB12 Feels Like a Solution
The Aston Martin DB12 is designed to answer a very specific problem: you want a car that can cruise across continents in comfort, but you refuse to sacrifice raw character and driver involvement. Many modern GTs lean so hard into isolation that you might as well be in a well?trimmed isolation pod.
The DB12 does the opposite. It keeps the refinement, but turns the engagement dial way up. From initial reviews and owner impressions on enthusiast forums and Reddit, several themes keep recurring:
- It feels alive in your hands in a way some rivals no longer do.
- It finally gives Aston a modern infotainment and driver tech suite without drowning everything in screens.
- It’s fast enough to scare you, but composed enough to trust.
In other words, it’s built for people who think driving should still feel a little bit outrageous.
The Solution: Meet the Aston Martin DB12 ‘Super Tourer’
On paper, the DB12 is straightforward: a front?engine, rear?wheel?drive coupe with a twin?turbo V8, aggressive styling, and a finely crafted interior. But Aston’s own description of the DB12 as a "Super Tourer" hints at a broader mission: more focus on dynamics, sharper handling, and a driver?first cockpit than you’d expect from a traditional GT.
According to the official Aston Martin website, the DB12 uses a 4.0?liter twin?turbo V8 engine producing 680 PS (669 bhp) and 800 Nm of torque, delivering 0–60 mph in around 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. It rides on a new generation of adaptive dampers and an uprated bonded aluminum structure, with an electronic rear differential (E?Diff) integrated for sharper, more controllable cornering. Those are the facts—but the experience goes beyond numbers.
Why this specific model?
If you’re wondering why you’d pick the DB12 over the usual suspects from Ferrari, Porsche, or Bentley, it comes down to three pillars: character, balance, and modernity.
1. Character: The V8 with a wicked sense of humor
The 4.0?liter twin?turbo V8 in the DB12 isn’t just powerful; reviews consistently highlight its responsiveness and soundtrack. While turbos can sometimes flatten personality, the DB12’s tuning emphasizes immediacy—strong mid?range punch and a dramatic surge toward the top of the rev range. In real?world terms, that means you don’t need to thrash it to feel something; a quick overtake or on?ramp blast is enough to remind you this is a 200?mph car.
2. Balance: A GT that wants to play
Where rivals sometimes feel like heavy, fast lounges, the DB12 aims for agility. The electronic rear differential can go from fully open to 100% locked in milliseconds, which helps the car pivot into corners and find traction on the way out. Combined with a stiffer structure and new adaptive damping, reviewers note that the DB12 can switch from relaxed cruising to genuinely spirited driving without ever feeling out of its depth.
Owners and testers on forums often call out the steering in particular: heavier and more communicative than many modern GTs, which helps you place the car precisely on narrow roads or fast sweepers.
3. Modernity: Finally, an Aston interior that feels 2020s, not 2010s
One of Aston’s biggest historical weaknesses has been infotainment. The DB12 is a clean break. The official site highlights an in?house developed infotainment system with a central touchscreen, streamlined physical controls, and support for over?the?air updates. The layout keeps key driving functions on proper switchgear, avoiding the "all in menus" trap.
Reviewers and early users generally praise the new system as faster, more intuitive, and visually up to date. It may not be as gadget?obsessed as some German rivals, but that’s part of the charm: it feels like a driver’s cockpit first, a tech showcase second.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (approx. 680 PS / 669 bhp, 800 Nm) | Brutal, effortless acceleration for confident overtakes and thrilling highway pulls. |
| 0–60 mph in around 3.5 seconds, top speed ~202 mph (manufacturer data) | Supercar-level performance wrapped in a refined GT body. |
| Rear-wheel drive with Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff) | Sharper turn-in and controllable traction for engaging, confidence-inspiring handling. |
| Next-gen adaptive damping and enhanced bonded aluminum structure | Calm, composed ride for long journeys with the ability to firm up for back-road fun. |
| New Aston Martin in-house infotainment system | Modern, responsive interface with cleaner integration and reduced reliance on outdated third-party systems. |
| Driver-focused cockpit with mix of touchscreen and physical controls | Intuitive operation at speed; you spend less time hunting through menus and more time driving. |
| Bold, muscular exterior design with wide stance | Instant visual drama and road presence; it looks as special as it feels to drive. |
What Users Are Saying
Scan through Reddit threads and enthusiast forums about the DB12 and you’ll see a clear pattern: this car has struck a chord with people who felt recent GTs were becoming too safe.
Common praise includes:
- Driving engagement: Many compare it favorably to both previous Astons and some German rivals, highlighting more feedback and a sense of connection.
- Engine character: Owners love the V8’s blend of torque and drama, especially in sportier drive modes.
- Design: The wider stance, bolder grille, and sharpened lines are frequently called out as a return to proper Aston presence.
- Interior upgrade: Long-time Aston watchers note that the tech finally feels truly modern rather than a generation behind.
Common criticisms or concerns:
- Price point: As with any high-end Aston, the DB12 sits in rarefied territory. Some question whether it offers enough over certain rivals purely on value.
- Long-term tech reliability: With Aston moving to its own infotainment platform, a few users are cautiously watching how software updates and support will be handled over years of ownership.
- Practicality: Like most 2+2 GTs, rear seats and cargo space are usable but not family-hauler levels of roomy.
Overall sentiment skews strongly positive: enthusiasts see the DB12 as a meaningful leap forward for the brand rather than a mild refresh.
Alternatives vs. Aston Martin DB12
The DB12 doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It goes up against some extremely strong contenders in the luxury performance space:
- Ferrari Roma / Roma Spider: Sleek, fast, and technically brilliant. The Ferrari leans more toward razor-sharp sports-car feel, whereas the DB12 positions itself as a more soulful, long?legged Super Tourer with a richer GT flavor.
- Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S: Devastatingly capable and everyday-usable, but more clinical and less theatrical in design and cabin ambience. The DF12 trades some of that surgical precision for drama and exclusivity.
- Bentley Continental GT: The benchmark for opulent comfort. The Bentley is the ultra-lux choice; the DB12 counters with a more driver?centric, sporting setup and a leaner, more aggressive persona.
If you prioritize absolute track precision and brand cachet, Ferrari and Porsche make compelling arguments. If you want a rolling palace, Bentley has the edge. But if you crave a car that makes every journey—short or long—feel like an occasion, the DB12 hits a rare sweet spot between luxury, drama, and involvement.
It’s also worth noting that the DB12 sits within the broader portfolio of Aston Martin Lagonda, the British luxury marque listed under ISIN: GB00BN7CG237, signaling the company’s continued push upmarket into ultra?luxury performance territory.
Final Verdict
The Aston Martin DB12 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s not the most practical choice, nor the most rational. But that’s exactly the point. This is a car for people who are tired of sterile perfection and want their driving life to feel more cinematic.
It solves a quiet but pervasive problem in the modern performance luxury world: cars that are incredibly capable yet emotionally distant. By blending a ferocious twin?turbo V8, engaging chassis, modernized tech, and classic Aston theater, the DB12 gives you permission to fall in love with driving again.
If you’re cross?shopping the usual GT suspects and finding them technically flawless but artistically flat, the DB12 deserves a serious look. It’s a statement car, yes—but more importantly, it’s a statement about how you want to feel behind the wheel.
For those who still believe that a great car should stir something every time you press the start button, the Aston Martin DB12 may be exactly the Super Tourer you’ve been waiting for.
