Aston Martin DB12 review

Editorial take on Clarkson's review of the DB12, weighing its striking design against usability quirks and a high cost.

Aston Martin DB12 Moves Style Forward at a Steep Price

The Aston Martin DB12 is the focus of a bold design audit. Clarkson centers the car on its exterior drama, noting that the styling details are treated with care and that the overall look is what sells the car in the showroom and in pictures. He reports practical changes inside, such as a more animated interior design compared with the DB11, and highlights the V8 engine tuned for more power, while acknowledging the base car borrows components from Mercedes AMG.

Price is a major throughline. Clarkson points to a base around £185,000 that can climb toward £250,000 with options, framing the DB12 as luxurious but pricey. He also lists ergonomic quirks like a finicky touchscreen and aggressive voice activation, suggesting style often comes with tradeoffs in daily use. The review places the DB12 in a market slot between the Ferrari Roma and the Bentley Continental, praising performance and noise while conceding some everyday usability issues.

The piece uses Clarkson’s signature voice to turn a product story into a commentary on what luxury car buyers value. The DB12’s emphasis on finish and detailing signals a brand strategy that treats design as a core feature, not an accessory. Yet the price tag, and the described niggles, underline a tension between object of desire and practical ownership. This is a moment for Aston Martin to translate eye-catching styling into enduring appeal beyond the showroom floor, while critics will watch whether the brand can maintain reliability and user friendliness as it leans into high-end branding.

Highlights

The DB12 tests a simple question: can beauty justify the price when daily use matters as much as drama.