2026 Aston Martin DBX S unveiled: more power, less weight — At a price

Aston Martin is doubling down on high-performance luxury SUVs with the reveal of the 2026 DBX S, a hotter, sharper, and more powerful evolution of its already formidable DBX707. With the base DBX (a “mere” 542-hp model) axed last year due to low demand, the British marque is clearly focusing on the upper end of its lineup—and the DBX S takes that mission a step further.

Under the hood, the Aston Martin DBX S retains the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, but tweaks inspired by the Valhalla supercar push output to 717 horsepower. That’s a modest gain of 20 hp over the DBX707, yet it shaves a few tenths off the SUV’s run to 200 km/h (124 mph). The 0–60 mph sprint remains at a supercar-worthy 3.1 seconds, while top speed is still a lofty 193 mph. Only the new Lamborghini Urus SE manages to beat it—but just barely, by a single mile per hour.

To handle the added thrust, Aston Martin engineers refined the DBX S’s nine-speed transmission with more aggressive shift mapping in Sport and Sport+ modes. The steering gets a quicker ratio for sharper response, though the core all-wheel-drive system and adaptive suspension setup remain unchanged from the DBX707. That includes the ability to shift all torque to the rear wheels when desired, and massive carbon-ceramic brakes—16.5 inches up front and 15.3 inches at the rear.

While the interior sees minimal changes beyond “S” badging and trim customization, the exterior gets a more purposeful look. A revised front splitter, reworked rear diffuser, and a stacked quad exhaust layout (evoking the Lexus IS F) signal the S’s more aggressive intent.

But the real transformation comes via optional lightweighting. Aston Martin offers new 23-inch magnesium wheels—the first of their kind for any SUV—cutting 41 pounds over standard aluminum. A carbon fiber roof, the largest single carbon piece Aston has ever installed on a vehicle, brings even more savings. Add in a honeycomb grille borrowed from the DBS 770 Ultimate and other carbon accents, and total weight reduction tops 100 pounds, bringing curb weight down to 4,846 lbs.

Here’s the twist: none of these performance-boosting, weight-saving parts are standard. The wheels, carbon roof, grille, and other components are all optional—meaning that if you want the DBX S in its most focused form, expect to pay well above the base price.

Speaking of which, Aston Martin hasn’t released official pricing yet, but with the current DBX707 starting around $260,000, a fully optioned DBX S could easily crest the $300,000 mark. For that, buyers will get one of the world’s most potent SUVs—albeit one that requires a few pricey boxes to be ticked to truly differentiate itself.

Deliveries of the 2026 Aston Martin DBX S are set to begin in fall 2025. With even more performance and the potential for track-capable weight savings, it promises to be a tantalizing option for those seeking an ultra-luxurious SUV with supercar credentials—so long as they’re willing to pay for it.