2026 Aston Martin DB12 Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
The Aston Martin DB11, though pretty, was one of the automaker’s more understated designs in the modern era. The DB12, which replaced the DB11 for 2024 and carries over into 2026 with coupe and Volante convertible variants, trades subtlety for boldness in its styling and driving dynamics.
Aston Martin refers to the 2026 DB12 as a “super tourer,” honing its focus on rivals including the Ferrari Amalfi, Bentley Continental GT, and Mercedes-AMG SL-Class.
What’s New
As the successor to the DB11, the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 benefits from a swath of upgrades. Its twin-turbo V-8 engine is more powerful, its body and chassis are stiffer, and its front and rear tracks are wider than the DB11’s. It gets Bilstein DTX adaptive shocks, new stability control software, and a reprogrammed eight-speed automatic transmission for a shorter final drive.
The DB12’s interior is greatly improved over its predecessor, too, with better build quality, a fresh design, and dual 10.3-inch displays with new in-house software. The DB12 has over-the-air update capability as well as connectivity to the Aston Martin App.
For 2025, Aston Martin added the following features:
- Optional panoramic glass roof
- Carbon package now includes carbon-fiber paddle shifters
- Gloss black exhaust tip finisher offered as an option
- Expanded steering wheel color choices
Aston Martin also introduces a DB12 S for 2026, with more power and performance-focused tuning.
What We Think
Aston Martin sharpens its touring car formula with the DB12, focusing on driver engagement rather than comfortable cruising. As driving enthusiasts, we’re mostly at peace with the direction Aston Martin has chosen for its core series of two-door models—with a few caveats.
The DB12’s twin-turbocharged V-8 engine is a fearsome thing to behold, although a 12-cylinder powerplant would have added old-school panache. The V-8 is plenty powerful, though, and reducing the cylinder count by four contributes to the DB12’s agility.
The Aston’s steering and handling make for a highly connected drive, supported by brakes with great feel and tremendous stopping power. Even with adaptive dampers, the DB12’s ride is stiff and jarring.
As beastly as the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 is, it’s also a beauty, with jaw-dropping bodywork and a resplendent interior to match. Dual displays provide the requisite tech to stay competitive in today’s market, but a heavy reliance on physical buttons is a welcome rejection of the industry’s obsession with touch controls. The central display is oriented somewhat awkwardly, but the software is well designed and easy to navigate.
Aston Martin rightfully calls the 2026 DB12 a super tourer. Some shoppers in the market for an ultra-luxury coupe may find the DB12 to be too intense for their tastes, but driving enthusiasts and art appreciators alike will love what the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 has to offer.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
Performance
The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 is equipped with a Mercedes-AMG-built, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine developing 671 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels.
The DB12 wears 21-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tires, and stopping power is courtesy of ventilated two-piece brakes with six-piston calipers up front and steel discs with four-piston calipers in the rear.
Aston Martin claims a 0–60-mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. That’s competitive with the 2026 Ferrari Amalfi, which accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and tops out around 200 mph.
New Aston Martin DB12 S
For an experience that's sharper than the DB12 but not so aggressive as the Vanquish, Aston Martin now offers the DB12 S. It builds on the standard DB12 with a 20-hp boost from the twin-turbo V-8 to 690 hp. Although not much quicker it should sound better thanks to a lightweight titanium exhaust system. Carbon ceramic brakes are equipped as standard for better stopping power. Throughout the car, settings and calibrations are revised for a generally sharper, more sporty feel. Offered in coupe and Volante body styles, the 2026 DB12 S shows Aston's ability to blend performance and luxury.
MPGs and Range
Although efficiency is hardly the point of a super sports car like the 2026 Aston Martin DB12, its EPA rating isn’t too shabby. For 2025, fuel economy comes in at 15/22 mpg city/highway. That’s better than the 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63, which is rated at 13/21 mpg. At 350 miles, its range is ample for hauling across continents and beats the Mercedes-AMG’s rating of 296 miles.
Safety and Driver Assist Features
Historically, high-end touring cars have skipped out on offering standard safety equipment. However, Aston Martin includes a generous list of active safety technology with every 2026 DB12. The following features are standard:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Side and rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beams
Seating, Cargo Space
The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 prioritizes the comfort of first-row occupants; those in the second row will have to politely ask those up front to slide forward for a modicum of space. Cargo volume falls short of the Ferrari Amalfi, which should continue to be equipped with a 10.3-cubic-foot trunk.
The DB12 Volante convertible has even less cargo volume than the DB12 coupe; lowering the top reduces storage even further.
Technology
Infotainment
All 2026 Aston Martin DB12 variants are outfitted with twin 10.3-inch displays. The central touchscreen runs a proprietary Aston Martin operating system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Over-the-air updates provide continual improvements to the DB12’s user experience.
The Aston Martin App allows for remote vehicle monitoring. DB12 models receive two USB ports and a wireless charging pad. All models have a 360-degree camera so you don’t accidentally crease your Aston’s beautiful sheetmetal in a parking lot.
Sound System
Aston Martin makes an 11-speaker sound system standard on the 2026 DB12. A 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio setup is available as an option.
2026 DB12 Volante Palm Beach Edition
Aston Martin’s bespoke vehicle customization service goes by the name—er, letter—Q. One of the latest creations to come from the exclusive division is the DB12 Volante Palm Beach Edition, which wears custom Frosted Glass Blue exterior paint that’s been hand-applied.
Q goes further with Club Sport White pinstriping on the front splitters, side sills, and rear bumpers, Gloss Jet Black wheels, and side strakes have been milled to evoke palm trees.
Inside the cabin, Aston Martin Q uses a palm-leaf motif as a nod to Palm Beach, Florida. There’s Aurora Blue and Ivory leather and Spicy red contrast stitching with palm-inspired embroidery on the seats. Palm Beach Edition sill plaques use a palm pattern that also appears in other places such as the center armrest and door-sill panels.
Open-pore Linear Light Olive Ash is used throughout the cabin to mimic the look of palm wood. Q includes Palm Beach’s latitude and longitude coordinates to deepen the car’s connection with its namesake.
As a one-of-one example resulting from a partnership with Aston Martin Palm Beach, you can’t have a DB12 Palm Beach Edition of your own, but Aston Martin says it invites customers to personalize vehicles through Q to make their own unique super tourer.
