Aston Martin DB12

The case for the DB12

Aston Martin calls the DB12 a super tourer rather than a GT, and the numbers support the claim: a heavily reworked AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 671 bhp, a stiffer bodyshell, revised suspension and a much sharper responses than the DB11. Just as important is the interior, which finally replaces the dated Mercedes-sourced infotainment with Aston's own modern system.

The DB12 has been widely praised as the best-driving front-engined Aston of the modern era, combining genuine agility with long-distance refinement. For a used buyer, its youth means nearly all examples are still within the manufacturer's warranty and service-plan ecosystem.

What it costs to run

Running costs are in line with other 670 bhp GTs. Main-dealer servicing is premium-priced, though fixed-price service plans are available on newer cars. Tyres (21-inch wheels) and brakes are significant consumables. Fuel economy is 20 mpg in the real world at best. Insurance and warranty costs reflect a car that listed from around £185,000.

The advantage of the DB12's youth is that warranty cover absorbs most early-life failures. The AMG engine is well proven, and the car's electronics are more modern than the DB11's, though any new system has its own early-adopter risks.

Known weak points

The DB12 is too new for meaningful pattern failures to have emerged. The new in-house infotainment has had software updates; verify a car is current. As with all modern Astons, battery management on stored cars matters. There have been relatively few reported issues so far, which is encouraging but not conclusive.

Check for the usual low-volume prestige-car risks: kerbed wheels, stone chips on the wide front end, and paint or panel damage that has been quietly repaired.

What to check before buying

A DB12 should have a full main-dealer history and remaining warranty; verify both. Confirm all software updates and campaigns are applied. Inspect the paint and carbon trim carefully, check wheel condition, and ensure tyres are the correct specification and age. On a car this young, any accident history should be documented and properly repaired; walk away from anything unexplained.

Market and depreciation

The DB12 is early in its depreciation curve. Used examples now trade from around £150,000 to £170,000 against list prices that start above £185,000 and rise quickly with options. Expect continued depreciation over the next few years, as with every modern Aston Martin. If that matters to you, waiting is cheaper; if you want the car now, buy the best example and accept the cost.

Who it suits

The driver who wants the finest modern Aston GT, with the performance and dynamics to justify the super-tourer name, and who can absorb premium running costs and near-term depreciation.

Alternatives

Ferrari Roma, Bentley Continental GT Speed, McLaren GT, or a DB11 AMR for significantly less money.

The DB12, launched in 2023, is Aston Martin's claim to have moved the DB formula on rather than merely refreshed it. Output rises to 671hp from the revised twin-turbo V8, the bonded-aluminium structure is stiffer, and the company billed it as the first super tourer, positioning it above a conventional grand tourer in intent. The electronic architecture is substantially new, and the chassis feels tighter and more responsive than the DB11's while retaining long-distance comfort. It is a genuinely impressive car rather than a facelift with new badges.

The most significant ownership change is the infotainment: Aston Martin abandoned the previous Mercedes-sourced system for its own in-house design with over-the-air update capability. That is a long-term benefit, but early cars experienced software niggles, so verify that any example has received the latest updates and that every function, from parking cameras to phone pairing, works as it should. A remaining factory warranty is valuable on a car this new and electronically complex.

On the nearly-new market, beware paying a premium for delivery-mileage cars when the first year's depreciation has already been significant. Check panel fit carefully, look for evidence of paint-protection film, wheel refurbishment or rectification work, and confirm the service history has started correctly with the supplying dealer. A car with a few thousand miles, full dealer history and the first owner's depreciation already absorbed is usually the sensible buy.

Against rivals, the DB12 occupies an interesting position: more sporting than a Bentley Continental GT, more refined than a Ferrari Roma, and with a character all its own. The interior represents a substantial step forward in both material quality and technology over the DB11, and the driving experience successfully balances long-distance comfort with genuine dynamic ability. It is a convincing execution of the super tourer concept.

The first year's depreciation is the significant financial event in a DB12's life, and the nearly-new buyer benefits from it. Look for cars with delivery mileage absorbed, full dealer history and remaining warranty, and verify the software is current. The DB12 rewards the patient buyer: the second owner gets a substantially updated car at a meaningful saving over list. For the buyer seeking the current pinnacle of Aston Martin's grand touring range, this is the definitive choice and one that will define the marque's direction for years.

As a daily proposition, the DB12 is genuinely usable: the boot accepts luggage for a weekend away, the seats are comfortable over long distances, and the ride quality is excellent. The car's width demands care in tight spaces, and the low nose requires attention over speed humps. The new infotainment is a significant improvement over the previous Mercedes-sourced system, and over-the-air updates mean it should improve over time. For the buyer seeking a current Aston Martin that works as both a daily car and a special-occasion machine, the DB12 delivers convincingly.

How this review was compiled

Research-based ownership review using Aston Martin specifications, independent buying guides and owner reports. We have not driven this car. Verify condition, service history and warranty status for any individual car before purchase.