Aston Martin DBX S vs. Ferrari Purosangue: The Ultimate Super SUV Showdown
For decades, the very notion of a high-performance utility vehicle, a super SUV, was an oxymoron. Supercars were synonymous with low-slung silhouettes and razor-sharp handling, a world away from the elevated practicality of an SUV. Yet, the automotive landscape has irrevocably shifted. Today, the most potent expressions of driving exhilaration are often cloaked in the familiar, yet muscular, form of the sport utility vehicle. This evolution has culminated in two titans of the modern era: the Aston Martin DBX S and the Ferrari Purosangue. As an industry veteran with a decade immersed in the intricacies of automotive engineering and market trends, I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand, and the emergence of these two machines represents a zenith of that progress.
The challenge laid before us was clear: which of these remarkable super SUVs reigns supreme? My recent encounter with both, under conditions that tested their very mettle, has provided a profound understanding of their distinct philosophies and engineering prowess. This isn’t merely a comparison of technical specifications; it’s an exploration of character, capability, and ultimately, the soul of the performance SUV.
The Unforeseen Predicament: A Night on Hardknott Pass
My initial assessment began with an unexpected, albeit defining, moment. Stranded on a desolate, single-track road deep within the Lake District’s unforgiving terrain, illuminated only by the faintest starlight, the Ferrari Purosangue presented a stark illustration of modern automotive vulnerability: a subtle sidewall puncture in its colossal 23-inch rear tire. In the absence of a spare or a repair kit capable of addressing such a predicament, a significant chunk of our meticulously planned road trip was suddenly cast into uncertainty. While my companions ventured forth to seek assistance, I was left contemplating my solitude and the raw, untamed beauty of the surrounding wilderness, a stark reminder that even the most advanced machines are not impervious to the unexpected.
This unsettling prelude, however, did little to diminish the anticipation surrounding the core of our evaluation. We were in possession of two of the most compelling luxury performance SUVs currently available, each meticulously crafted by manufacturers renowned for their sporting heritage. Ferrari’s Purosangue, a vehicle born from considerable deliberation regarding its unique market position, boasts a thunderous 6.5-liter V12 engine – a powerplant unequivocally rooted in supercar DNA – and a four-seat configuration that prioritizes exclusivity and performance over conventional SUV utility. It shares far more kinship with Maranello’s illustrious sports cars than any vehicle with a traditional, utilitarian lineage.
In stark contrast, the Aston Martin DBX S represents the latest iteration of Gaydon’s formidable large-format offering. The original 550bhp DBX has been superseded, with the potent 707 model now forming the baseline. The ‘S’ designation signifies an enhancement: quicker steering, a more focused suspension setup, a subtle power increase, and distinctive quad exhaust tips, all delivered at a comparable price point to its predecessor. This isn’t merely an evolution; it’s a refinement, a deliberate tuning of an already exceptional package.
On Paper: A Deceptively Even Match
From a purely statistical standpoint, both these high-performance SUVs are staggeringly potent. Each rockets from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds and achieves a top speed of 193 mph. Both employ all-wheel-drive systems, albeit with markedly different operational strategies, and their kerb weights are remarkably similar. The standard DBX carries a slight advantage in weight over the Purosangue, but when optioned with lightweight components such as 23-inch magnesium wheels and a carbon fiber roof, the Aston Martin DBX S actually tips the scales at 2 kg less. On paper, then, the metrics suggest a near-identical performance envelope for these expensive performance SUVs. However, as experience has taught me, mere figures rarely tell the complete story of a vehicle’s character and dynamic capabilities.
The Grand Tour: A Real-World Assessment
To truly understand the essence of these two performance utility vehicles, we embarked on an extensive road trip, traversing hundreds of miles of varied terrain. From sweeping A-roads to intricate B-roads, the relentless grind of motorways, and the unforgiving confines of car parks, we subjected them to the full spectrum of automotive life. Laden with an abundance of luggage and a full complement of passengers, we scrutinized their practicality, daily comfort, software intuitiveness, and, inevitably, their rather thirsty fuel consumption.
While venturing into the realm of exhaustive consumer reporting is not our primary objective here, the Aston Martin DBX S undeniably emerges as the more pragmatic choice for everyday utility. Its five-seat configuration contrasts with the Purosangue’s four, and its boot offers a substantial volume advantage – a generous 632 liters compared to the Ferrari’s 473 – with a more accommodating space when the rear seats are folded. Furthermore, it exhibits superior fuel economy, achieving close to 23 mpg on the motorway, while the Purosangue lingered around 18 mpg. Both, however, plummeted into single digits when driven with spirited intent, their premium unleaded fuel vanishing into a symphony of noise and kinetic energy with the mere flex of a right ankle.
In terms of everyday driving comfort, the Aston Martin DBX S proves to be the more compliant option. Its “GT” mode provides a luxuriantly plush ride, akin to settling into a finely upholstered armchair. While the Ferrari’s damping capabilities are, as we shall discuss, nothing short of superlative, its inherent nature leans towards a more athletic and responsive demeanor. One might describe the Ferrari as an agile, energetic Border Collie, whereas the Aston Martin DBX S embodies the brawny, powerful Rottweiler – each possessing its own distinct, yet equally compelling, character.
Pushing the Envelope: Hardknott Pass and Beyond
Our ultimate objective was to push these luxury SUVs beyond their comfort zones. For this, we selected a locale that few vehicles, let alone those of such significant stature, would willingly choose: England’s notoriously steep and treacherous Hardknott Pass in the Lake District. This public road, characterized by its winding tarmac, ominous warning signs, and potholes of a size that could swallow lesser vehicles whole, presents a formidable challenge. Its hairpin bends ascend at gradients that can disorient, and its width is often barely sufficient for two vehicles of this caliber to pass. If they could conquer this, they could navigate any urban jungle with effortless aplomb.
The Ferrari Purosangue’s ability to master such adverse conditions is, frankly, astonishing. Its damping system, employing Multimatic’s spool valves – essentially miniature, electrically controlled clockwork gearboxes within the dampers – operates with remarkable precision. These systems effectively render traditional anti-roll bars redundant, offering an extraordinary breadth of adjustment between a plush, compliant setting and a track-honed rigidity. This allows for a near-magical ability to keep the tires firmly planted, even on severely compromised surfaces. Within the Purosangue, the driver can meticulously tailor these systems to suit any given situation. The iconic Manettino dial, for instance, can be rotated to a position just shy of “all off,” yet a subsequent forward press can re-engage the softest damping setting. This grants the driver the full ferocity of the throttle response and steering inputs while allowing the wheels to absorb road imperfections rather than being jolted by them.
This dynamic responsiveness of the Purosangue truly comes into its own here. It defies its classification as a traditional SUV. The drivetrain feels predominantly rear-wheel-driven, with the front axle intervening only when traction becomes critically compromised. The steering, for a vehicle of its dimensions, is nothing short of immaculate. Its ability to tuck into even the tightest of hairpins belies its considerable size, and the seamless, lightning-fast shifts of its eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox are reminiscent of Ferrari’s much smaller sports cars.
And then, there is the sound. A 6.5-liter V12, nestled within an all-road chassis, unleashes a symphony of supercar acoustics. This is not an off-roader, but on a bumpy British B-road, it exhibits far greater capability than a conventional sports car. It delivers a wealth of low-end torque – an impressive 528 lb-ft – ensuring effortless propulsion. The V12’s operatic wail, echoing off the surrounding hillsides, is simply intoxicating. However, the Ferrari Purosangue is an intensely visceral experience. It is joyful and exhilarating, but to drive it “properly” for extended periods can be an engaging, even tiring, endeavor. It is, undeniably, happiest on a smooth A-road, where I suspect it could comfortably keep pace with dedicated low-slung sports cars, its engine singing to its 8,250 rpm redline.
Hardknott and its adjacent Wrynose Pass are anything but smooth A-roads. They are forgotten stretches of unforgiving tarmac, more akin to challenging tracks than public thoroughfares. Space is at an absolute premium, with large, jagged rocks encroaching perilously close to the road’s edges. Maintaining unwavering focus is paramount; there is no room for distraction, even amidst the breathtaking, soul-stirring scenery. Driving these roads becomes less about enjoyment and more about a primal, teeth-gritting challenge.
One might surmise that such an environment would be the undoing of a large, imposing vehicle like the DBX. Too narrow, too bumpy, too claustrophobic. Yet, what we encountered was nothing short of a revelation. The Aston Martin DBX S presents a distinctly different character compared to the standard DBX 707. While not a complete departure, it is imbued with a sharper, more focused edge. The languid commuting comfort can be readily set aside with judicious button presses, recalibrating the suspension to better suit the demanding road conditions.
The steering is approximately four percent more responsive than in its predecessor, a seemingly minor increment that, when combined with more aggressive air spring settings and sophisticated electronic ride control, imbues this substantial vehicle with a surprising degree of body confidence. It doesn’t possess the hyper-agile, darting reactions of the Ferrari, but there is a newfound fluidity, a subtle, controlled movement within the suspension that allows the driver to precisely gauge the available grip. Its stability, both longitudinally and laterally, is unwavering, and its responses are utterly reliable.
The steering also exhibits exceptional precision, a crucial attribute given that, much like the Purosangue, judging the car’s extremities can be challenging. However, one can place this vehicle with an almost surgical degree of accuracy, and the all-wheel-drive system works discreetly to maintain composure when surfaces change mid-corner. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine propels this considerable mass with a guttural surge that perfectly complements the car’s imposing aesthetic. It delivers a deep, resonant bass note that resonates within the chest, its power seamlessly managed by the nine-speed automatic transmission.
The ‘S’ variant benefits from turbos derived from the Valhalla supercar, providing an exhilarating surge in the upper rev range. However, it also boasts superior low-end torque compared to the Purosangue, a palpable advantage that is immediately evident. Like the Ferrari, it is undoubtedly more at home on expansive roads where its prodigious speed can be unleashed without restraint. Yet, the DBX S remarkably belies its considerable dimensions with an astonishing degree of agility. The only minor critique concerns a perceived slight lag in throttle response when not actively on boost. While this is negligible on conventional roads, the tight, demanding confines of Hardknott Pass exaggerate this characteristic, making it noticeable.
The Verdict: Two Icons, One Winner
It was an unexpected turn of events that led us to this remote corner of the Lake District, but the outcome was undeniably illuminating. The initial assumption was that neither of these formidable machines would truly excel in such challenging conditions. Too large, too powerful, too hemmed in. Yet, both proved to be exceptionally capable. They transcend their roles as mere SUV siblings to celebrated sports cars, emerging as fully realized, distinct entities. While their specifications might appear to occupy similar cells in a spreadsheet, their characters belong to entirely different dimensions.
This brings us to the crucial question: which is the superior super SUV? A simple points-based draw would be a disservice to the profound differences and individual triumphs of these two vehicles. We must first reaffirm our objective: to identify the finest practical performance SUV. A vehicle that seamlessly blends everyday usability with exhilarating performance and undeniable prestige. Both contenders certainly deliver in terms of prestige and performance, albeit through vastly different means. I genuinely believe that on a diverse mix of roads, neither vehicle would be a significant liability to the other.
The interiors of both are equally opulent. The Ferrari still retains a somewhat convoluted array of haptic controls, while the DBX occasionally falters with its CarPlay integration. However, the Ferrari simply cannot match the Aston Martin DBX S in terms of outright practicality – a fundamental consideration for any SUV buyer. Then there is the matter of price. The Aston Martin DBX S starts at a base of £210,000, with our particular example, as optioned, reaching £255,390. The Ferrari Purosangue, on the other hand, commences at a substantial £313,120, and the car depicted in our photographs carries a price tag of £487,548. This equates to nearly £175,000 of optional extras. While press cars are invariably highly specified, the sheer magnitude of expenditure possible on the Ferrari’s options list suggests a deliberate strategy of maximizing revenue. This is not the sole deciding factor in our comparison, but it is an observation worthy of note.
Ultimately, a verdict must be rendered. The Ferrari Purosangue is, in essence, unique. Ferrari has long navigated the public relations landscape by asserting that it is not truly an SUV, and in this instance, they are correct. Its engine is derived from a bona fide supercar, its roofline is deliberately low, and its practicality is undeniably marginal. It possesses a far narrower operational window than the Aston Martin, and while it performs with breathtaking brilliance within that window, it remains… something apart.
The Aston Martin DBX S, conversely, represents an archetype. With subtle yet significant adjustments, the ‘S’ variant imbues the vehicle with a raw edge that the more blunt instrument of the 707 lacked. It is feral, sonorous, and brutally potent. Yet, it also possesses a remarkable degree of precision, is blindingly fast, and remains perfectly practical. And all of this is achieved at approximately half the price. For these compelling reasons, the Aston Martin DBX S emerges as the victor in this test. It may not be an objectively “better” car than the Ferrari Purosangue, but it is unequivocally the superior super SUV.
This journey through the peaks and valleys of the Lake District, and the subsequent analysis of these two automotive marvels, offers a clear path forward for discerning enthusiasts. If you are seeking the pinnacle of performance SUV engineering, a vehicle that harmonizes exhilarating dynamics with genuine everyday usability and a touch of British elegance, your destination is clear.
Discover the Aston Martin DBX S and experience the ultimate fusion of luxury and performance. Visit your nearest Aston Martin dealership or explore our online configurator to begin your journey today.
