Aston Martin Vantage: A Runner-Up for 2025 Car of the Year
Aston Martin’s Vantage has once again proved itself a worthy contender in the world of luxury sports cars. Despite finishing just behind the McLaren 750S in Robb Report’s 2025 Car of the Year program, the Vantage’s blend of performance and style made it a strong favorite among many judges. The car represents a benchmark in sports car engineering, delivering both thrilling handling dynamics and a sophisticated design that appeals to discerning enthusiasts.
The Vantage’s Appeal
Judge Tim Muys summarized the Vantage succinctly, describing it as “an impressively aggressive car, manageable for almost any driver but with styling and power that enthusiasts will enjoy. It sounds powerful, handles effortlessly, but with sophisticated savvy.”
A Legendary Lineage
Originating from the DB2 in 1950, the Vantage name has been synonymous with Aston Martin’s most potent engines. Notable Vantage models from earlier decades, like the DB4 Vantage, DB5, and DB6, have become collector’s pieces. This tradition continued in 2005 when the Vantage emerged as its own model and has continuously evolved since then. The 2025 iteration is arguably the best Aston Martin has produced, despite a price increase to $194,086, up from the previous model’s base MSRP.
Engineering Excellence
The improvements in power, chassis, and interior refinement justify the price hike. Our reviewed 2025 Vantage model bore a $264,300 sticker price, reflecting the luxury and advanced engineering featured inside. The engine, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged aluminum unit developed in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, produces a staggering 656 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm. The eight-speed ZF automatic transmission drives rear wheels, propelling the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. This sprint capability, coupled with a top speed of 202 mph, makes it a formidable contestant among high-performance vehicles.
The Vantage’s superior handling dynamics and visceral driving experience come from its optimized chassis, innovative suspension systems, and精心 engineered aerodynamics. This blend ensures that while the car is highly responsive and thrilling to drive, it remains comfortable for long journeys and can be managed by a wide range of drivers.
Interior Design
The interior was designed with practicality and luxury in mind, making it an ideal choice for competitive driving. Aston Martin opted for a single lever shift system, replacing the traditional push-button transmission, for a more intuitive and user-friendly driving experience. While modern sports cars sometimes struggle with creating a spacious backseat, the Vantage maintains a well-designed front passenger space and a compact but functional rear seat, avoiding the pitfalls of the typical 2+2 layout common in many competitors.
The Vantage’s interior takes cues from the sporty vibe of its exterior, with high-quality materials and precision-engineered controls. The challenge for buyers lies in deciding how much customization they desire. For those seeking true bespoke excellence, Q by Aston Martin offers a plethora of options, including custom paint, unique trim finishes, and other luxury trinkets to take the Vantage to the next level of personalization. Options can add significantly to the price, however, making the final package more than just a car—it’s a statement piece.
Bridging the Gap Between Sports Cars and GTs
Aston Martin has always aimed to create vehicles that combine the raw performance of a sports car with the comfort and style of a grand touring machine. The Vantage successfully achieves this balance, making it a standout in its segment. Its aggressive design and athletic performance appeal to fans of high-octane driving, while its comfort and smoothness make it a viable option for everyday use. As Judge Inigo Aragues eloquently put it, “Great fun, agile, with appealing sound and aesthetically pleasing,” the Vantage delivers a perfect fusion of excitement and refinement.
The Vantage’s Future
With the Vantage saluting as a runner-up in one of the most prestigious automotive awards, the future seems bright. The model has established itself as a serious contender in the luxury sports car market, poised to compete with the likes of the Porsche 911, Ferrari 488, and Mercedes-AMG GT. As improvements in technology and engineering continue to refine its capabilities, expectations for the Vantage are only set to rise.
For more mesmerizing images and detailed insights into the Aston Martin Vantage, check out our photo gallery.
