Aston Martin DBX S vs. Ferrari Purosangue: Defining the Ultimate Super SUV in 2025
For years, the automotive landscape was defined by the low-slung silhouette of the supercar. Sleek, aggressive, and built for pure exhilaration, these machines were the pinnacle of automotive desire. Yet, the modern motoring world has witnessed a dramatic evolution, with the very essence of supercar performance now finding its home within the more practical, yet no less potent, form factor of the Sports Utility Vehicle. In 2025, the question isn’t if supercars will embrace the SUV body, but which super SUV reigns supreme. This is the ultimate battle for the soul of the high-performance utility vehicle, pitting the Aston Martin DBX S against the Ferrari Purosangue.
The premise of this comparison is simple, yet profound: can the established British elegance and raw power of Aston Martin, embodied in its flagship DBX S, truly challenge the audacious and uncompromised vision of Ferrari’s Purosangue? We’re not just comparing speed figures or luxury appointments; we’re delving into the very DNA of these vehicles, exploring their engineering philosophies, their driving dynamics, and ultimately, their ability to redefine what a super SUV truly is.
Our journey began in the unforgiving, yet breathtaking, embrace of the Lake District’s Hardknott Pass. As dusk settled, transforming the winding tarmac into a ribbon of inky blackness, the Ferrari Purosangue encountered an unforeseen adversary: a seemingly minuscule puncture in its 23-inch rear tire. This wasn’t a minor inconvenience; it was a stark reminder of the inherent fragility that can accompany the pursuit of extreme performance, even in a vehicle designed to conquer more than just smooth asphalt. With no spare tire and a drive back to civilization a considerable distance away, the situation underscored the realities of owning and operating these cutting-edge machines.
The Purosangue, a vehicle born from a deliberate departure from Ferrari’s traditional sports car lineage, presents a bold statement. Featuring a magnificent 6.5-liter V12 engine – an engine that would be right at home in any of Maranello’s fabled supercars – it’s a four-seater conceived with a focus on unparalleled performance and a driving experience that transcends the typical SUV mold. It’s a four-door Ferrari, a concept that initially sparked debate but has ultimately culminated in a truly remarkable machine.
Standing in stark contrast, yet equally imposing, is the Aston Martin DBX S. Building upon the formidable foundation of the DBX 707, the ‘S’ variant represents a focused refinement rather than a complete overhaul. Aston Martin has amplified the aggression, sharpening the steering, stiffening the suspension for a more committed feel, and augmenting the already potent performance with quad exhausts, all without a significant price increase over its predecessor. It’s a clear signal that Aston Martin is not merely participating in the super SUV segment but actively seeking to dominate it with its signature blend of power and panache.
On paper, the performance metrics of these two titans are remarkably close. Both the Aston Martin DBX S and the Ferrari Purosangue can catapult from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 3.3 seconds, and both achieve a top speed of 193 mph. They both employ all-wheel drive systems, though their underlying philosophies and implementations differ significantly. Weight is also surprisingly aligned, with the DBX S, even when equipped with optional lightweight wheels and a carbon fiber roof, negligibly lighter than the Purosangue in its standard configuration. At face value, these luxury performance SUVs appear evenly matched. However, as any seasoned driver knows, statistics rarely tell the full story of a car’s character and its true capabilities when pushed to their limits.
To truly understand the distinct personalities of these extraordinary vehicles, a comprehensive road trip was essential. We traversed hundreds of miles, navigating a diverse tapestry of A-roads, B-roads, motorways, and the occasional challenging car park. We subjected them to the rigors of luggage-laden journeys and passenger comfort tests, scrutinizing their everyday usability, the sophistication of their infotainment systems, and, inevitably, their fuel economy – or rather, the lack thereof when performance takes precedence.
While both are exceptionally capable, the Aston Martin DBX S undeniably holds an edge in outright practicality, a key consideration for any vehicle aspiring to the SUV moniker. It offers seating for five, unlike the Purosangue’s four, and boasts a significantly larger boot capacity, offering nearly a third more space. When the rear seats are folded, the DBX S provides a more accommodating and versatile cargo area. Furthermore, in terms of fuel efficiency, the Aston Martin proved more frugal, achieving closer to 23 mpg on the motorway compared to the Ferrari’s approximate 18 mpg. However, it’s crucial to note that both vehicles saw their fuel gauges plummet dramatically when driven with gusto, transforming premium unleaded into a symphony of sound and motion with a mere flex of the right ankle.
For everyday driving, the Aston Martin DBX S offers a more serenely comfortable experience. In its ‘GT’ mode, it adopts a languid, armchair-like composure. The Ferrari, while possessing superlative damping capabilities – a topic we’ll revisit – presents a more immediate and athletic response to virtually every input. It’s a distinction akin to the difference between a spirited Border Collie, agile and ever-ready for action, and a powerful Rottweiler, robust and commanding. Both possess immense capability, but their delivery and character are worlds apart.
The true test, however, lay in pushing these machines beyond their comfort zones, venturing into territory far more challenging than the idyllic yet demanding landscape of the Lake District. The Hardknott Pass, with its steep gradients, notorious potholes, and tight hairpin bends, presented a formidable challenge. This isn’t merely a road; it’s an endurance test for both driver and machine. If these luxury SUVs could conquer the Hardknott, they could undoubtedly handle any urban jungle or high-speed boulevard with effortless grace.
The Ferrari Purosangue’s ability to master such treacherous terrain is nothing short of astounding. Its adaptive damping system, featuring Multimatic spool valves, represents a pinnacle of engineering. These electronically controlled, miniature clockwork mechanisms within the dampers effectively render traditional anti-roll bars obsolete, offering an astonishing range between plush comfort and track-day stiffness. This allows the Purosangue to maintain an almost supernatural connection to the road surface, ensuring optimal tire contact regardless of the imperfections beneath. The driver can meticulously tailor the car’s dynamics via the manettino dial, transitioning from a surprisingly compliant ride to an aggressively taut setup with just a few clicks. This intelligent system allows for precise throttle response and steering inputs while enabling the wheels to absorb bumps and cambers rather than jarring against them.
This sophisticated damping, combined with the Purosangue’s animated responses, contributes to an driving experience that defies conventional SUV expectations. The drivetrain feels decidedly rear-wheel drive biased, with the front axle intervening only when grip levels diminish significantly. The steering is exceptionally precise for a vehicle of its size, allowing it to navigate impossibly tight bends with surprising agility. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts with the same lightning speed and precision as found in Ferrari’s dedicated sports cars.
And then there is the sound. A 6.5-liter V12 engine, housed within a chassis that dares to be more than just a sports car, produces an auditory experience that is simply sublime. It’s not merely an engine; it’s an instrument of emotion, its glorious wail echoing off the surrounding hillsides, a potent reminder of automotive artistry. While the Purosangue is undoubtedly joyful and exhilarating to drive, its intensity can be somewhat demanding during prolonged spirited excursions. It undoubtedly shines brightest on smooth, open roads, where its V12 can be unleashed to its full 8,250 rpm redline, potentially challenging even dedicated low-slung sports cars.
The Hardknott and adjacent Wrynose Passes, however, are the antithesis of smooth tarmac. These are forgotten, untamed ribbons of asphalt, more akin to rudimentary tracks than public roads. The narrowness leaves little room for error, with jagged rocks mere inches from the verges. Maintaining focus is paramount; any lapse in concentration, however brief, could have significant consequences. Driving here is less about enjoyment and more about a primal challenge that demands unwavering commitment.
One might expect such a demanding environment to be the Achilles’ heel of a large, powerful vehicle like the Aston Martin DBX S. Its sheer size and weight would seem ill-suited to these claustrophobic, undulating tracks. Yet, Aston Martin has delivered a revelation. The DBX S is not merely a more powerful version of the standard DBX 707; it’s a distinctly more focused and engaging machine. While its inherent comfort can be dialed back with the flick of a switch, transforming it for spirited driving, the improvements are more nuanced.
A mere four percent increase in steering responsiveness might seem insignificant, but when combined with more aggressive air spring settings and sophisticated electronic ride control, it imbues this substantial vehicle with an unexpected level of agility and body control. It doesn’t possess the razor-sharp, immediate reactions of the Ferrari, but it exhibits a captivating fluidity, allowing the driver to explore the limits of grip with confidence. Its stable front-to-rear balance and predictable responses inspire trust, even in challenging conditions.
The steering, much like the Purosangue’s, is precise, a critical attribute given the difficulty in precisely judging the car’s extremities. However, the DBX S allows for remarkable accuracy in placement, and its all-wheel-drive system works diligently to maintain composure as surface conditions fluctuate mid-corner. Powering this performance is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering a guttural surge of power that perfectly complements the car’s imposing presence. The nine-speed automatic transmission shifts with seamless abandon, propelling the DBX S forward with relentless determination.
The S variant benefits from turbochargers derived from Aston Martin’s Valhalla supercar, providing a more potent surge in the upper rev range. Crucially, however, it offers superior low-end torque compared to the Purosangue, a tangible advantage that makes its power delivery feel more immediate and forceful. Like the Ferrari, the DBX S truly excels on larger roads where its prodigious performance can be unleashed without restraint. Yet, it manages to disguise its considerable dimensions with remarkable finesse. The only minor critique pertains to a slight reticence in throttle response when the turbos aren’t actively engaged. While this is barely noticeable in normal driving, it becomes more apparent on tight, demanding tracks, highlighting the subtle differences in their performance tuning.
We arrived at the Hardknott Pass with a preconception that neither of these performance SUVs would truly excel. Their size, power, and inherent complexity seemed ill-suited to such unforgiving terrain. However, the reality was profoundly different. Both Aston Martin and Ferrari have crafted machines that are not simply SUV-adjacent supercars but fully realized, exceptional vehicles in their own right. They occupy the same cells on a spreadsheet, yet their characters are drawn from entirely different dimensions.
This brings us to the ultimate question: which is the best super SUV? A points-based draw would be a disservice to the distinct personalities on display. The benchmark we set was for a practical, versatile SUV that also delivers unparalleled performance and prestige. Both vehicles undeniably achieve this, albeit through contrasting approaches. After extensive evaluation, I firmly believe that on a mixed driving regimen, neither car would be significantly outpaced or outclassed by the other.
The interiors of both are equally exquisite. While the Ferrari still occasionally succumbs to an overreliance on haptic feedback, and Aston Martin’s CarPlay integration can experience occasional glitches, these are minor points in the grand scheme of things. Where the DBX S undeniably triumphs is in its inherent practicality, a fundamental expectation for any SUV. Then there’s the matter of price. The Aston Martin DBX S has a base price of £210,000, with our test model, as specified, reaching £255,390. The Ferrari Purosangue, on the other hand, starts at an eye-watering £313,120, with the example featured in our photographs escalating to a staggering £487,548 – a difference of nearly £175,000 attributed to optional extras. While press cars are typically equipped with a comprehensive array of enhancements, the sheer extent of Ferrari’s optional list suggests a deliberate strategy of extensive customization and, dare we say, wallet mining. While not the sole determinant, it’s a significant factor worth noting for prospective buyers.
Ultimately, the Ferrari Purosangue is a unique automotive statement. Ferrari’s persistent assertion that it is not truly an SUV is, in essence, correct. Its V12 engine is a bona fide supercar powerplant, its roofline is low, and its practicality, while improved, remains somewhat marginal. It operates within a narrower, albeit exceptionally brilliant, performance window. It is, quite simply, something else entirely.
The Aston Martin DBX S, conversely, embodies the archetype of the modern performance SUV. With judicious adjustments, the ‘S’ variant injects a visceral edge that was perhaps lacking in the more blunt instrument approach of the 707. It is feral, vocal, and undeniably brutish, yet it also possesses a surprising degree of precision, exhilarating speed, and, crucially, remarkable practicality. And all of this is available for approximately 50% of the Ferrari’s price. For these compelling reasons, the Aston Martin DBX S emerges as the victor in this test. It is not necessarily a better car than the Ferrari Purosangue in every conceivable metric, but it is, unequivocally, the better super SUV.
The Aston Martin DBX S has claimed victory in this ultimate super SUV showdown. Ready to explore the pinnacle of performance and practicality? Contact your local Aston Martin dealership today to schedule a personalized demonstration and experience the DBX S firsthand.
