2026 Aston Martin Vantage Review: Sharper, Louder

Here’s a spicy truth to start a bar fight: the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S might be the last truly unhinged V8 coupe Aston ever builds, and it doesn’t care about your ESG spreadsheet. This thing is louder, sharper, and more aggressive than the standard Vantage, like Aston Martin fed it nothing but espresso and Nürburgring onboard videos. I’ve driven dozens of fast coupes over 15 years, and this one still made me laugh out loud inside my helmet.

This 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S review matters right now because the market is drowning in sanitized, over-assisted “sports cars” that feel like PlayStation controllers with leather seats. Meanwhile, Aston is still bolting a twin-turbo V8 up front, sending power to the rear wheels, and trusting you not to be an idiot. If you’re cross-shopping a Porsche 911 GTS, Mercedes-AMG GT, or Ferrari Roma, this is the rebel option that flips the table.

And yes, it’s expensive, impractical, and borderline ridiculous. But in a world where even BMW M cars are getting softer around the middle, the Vantage S doubles down on violence and calls it character.

Design & First Impressions

The Vantage S looks like it’s actively angry at slower traffic, which is exactly how a £200k Aston should feel. The aero tweaks aren’t just marketing fluff; the larger splitter, fixed rear wing, and aggressive diffuser actually generate measurable downforce at speed. Park it next to a 911 or Roma and it looks like the Aston skipped finishing school to join a street fight.

My hot take: this is the best-looking Aston Martin since the old V12 Vantage. It’s tighter, more muscular, and refreshingly free of fake vents, which is something even Ferrari occasionally gets wrong. If you care about why design still matters in the age of wind tunnels, this ties neatly into why car design concepts still matter.

Interior & Tech

Inside, Aston has finally caught up to the Germans without copying them, which deserves applause. The new infotainment system is fast, clear, and doesn’t feel like it was coded during the Obama administration. Physical buttons remain for key functions, because Aston still understands muscle memory better than Tesla.

The driving position is excellent, the leather smells expensive, and the carbon trim looks real because it is. However, storage is laughable, cupholders are an afterthought, and the infotainment still isn’t Porsche-level intuitive. If interior tech is your religion, the 911 and AMG GT still preach a cleaner sermon.

Driving Experience

This is where the Vantage S earns its S badge and then some. The steering is razor sharp, the chassis feels bolted to the road, and the throttle response is anything but lazy. Plant your right foot and the V8 explodes forward with a fury that makes turbo lag feel like a myth invented by EV influencers.

The suspension is firm but not sadistic, especially in Sport mode, and the adaptive dampers actually adapt instead of just stiffening everything. Compared to a Ferrari Roma, this feels rawer; compared to a 911 GTS, it feels more dramatic. Chris Harris would approve, even if he’d complain about rear visibility while power-sliding it anyway.

Engine, Sound & the V8 Question

That AMG-derived 4.0-liter V8 is a masterpiece here, pumping out roughly 670 horsepower and sounding like thunder trapped in a carbon fiber bottle. The exhaust crackles, pops, and snarls in a way that will absolutely upset your neighbors. This is why enthusiasts cling to V8s, a topic we’ve covered in why automakers still hold on to V8 engines.

Controversial opinion: this engine has more soul than most modern Ferrari powertrains. It’s less clinical, more emotional, and rewards commitment instead of perfection. If this really is one of the last great V8 coupes, it’s going out swinging.

Fuel Economy & Running Costs

Let’s not pretend you’re buying this to save the planet. Expect around 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway if you behave, which you won’t. For official EPA data, check FuelEconomy.gov.

Maintenance will be expensive, insurance even more so, and tires will evaporate faster than pub peanuts. Still, if you’re already shopping in this segment, these costs aren’t a shock; they’re part of the experience.

Practicality

The Vantage S is about as practical as wearing a tailored suit to move furniture. Cargo space is limited, rear seats don’t exist, and visibility is compromised by that glorious rear end. If you need usability, buy a 911 or read our thoughts on two-door luxury cars in 2026.

That said, it’s perfectly livable for weekend trips, and the ride won’t destroy your spine on long drives. Just don’t expect it to play family car, because it absolutely refuses.

Value vs Competitors

At approximately $205,000, the Vantage S sits right between the Porsche 911 GTS, Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe, and Ferrari Roma. The Porsche is more precise, the AMG more comfortable, and the Ferrari more fashionable. None of them, however, feel this feral.

Here’s the controversial bit: I’d take this over a Roma every time. The Aston feels special in a way money can’t fully explain, and that emotional value still matters, even as luxury prices spiral, something we’ve discussed in what enthusiasts lose in the luxury shift.

Verdict

The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S review boils down to this: it’s flawed, expensive, and absolutely brilliant. It prioritizes emotion over efficiency and driver engagement over mass appeal, which is exactly why it exists. In an era of electric sameness, this thing feels gloriously alive.

If this really is the twilight of Aston’s V8 madness, the Vantage S is one hell of a farewell. Loud, proud, and unapologetic.