2025 Aston Martin DB12 Volante review

The name’s Wong… James Wong. I’ve been itching to write that in a review forever.

But while I’m a big Bond fan, my experience with Aston Martin until recently was limited to childhood fantasies from video games and films, as well as a quick stint in a DBX a couple of years ago.

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But in 2024 all that changed. And while I very proudly documented my experience in our review of the new Aston Martin Vanquish, my first steer of a proper Aston GT car actually took place a few weeks beforehand.

The 2025 Aston Martin DB12 Volante was a palette wetter prior to my jaunt to Sardinia for the global launch of the new Vanquish.

In order to familiarise myself with some of Aston’s latest lineup ahead of reviewing the British brand’s new V12 GT hero, I took the drop-top DB12 out for a day in Melbourne. Suffice to say I’ve had worse days at work.

How much does the Aston Martin DB12 cost?

It’ll cost you nearly $40,000 to drop the top off the new DB12 Coupe, with the Volante convertible starting from $492,000 before options and on-road costs.

2025 Aston Martin DB12 Volante Credit: CarExpert

Naturally, given the exclusive and bespoke nature of the DB12, the final transaction price once buyers have finalised their ideal specification can be far greater.

For example, the DB12 Volante I borrowed from Aston Martin Melbourne by Zagame was coated in gorgeous Q by Aston Martin exterior paint (Ion Blue), which according to the accompanying spec list cost $40,000 alone.

With the rest of its options, the as-listed sticker price was well into the $700,000 realm, making this particular DB12 pricier than exotic drop-tops like the Bentley Continental GT Convertible (from $504,700) and Maserati GranCabrio (from $475,000).

Still, I’m sure the level of customisation and innate street cred that comes with owning one of these convertibles could be seen by some prospective owners as priceless.

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

What is the Aston Martin DB12 like on the inside?

While the DB12 looks a lot like the previous DB11 on the outside, the interior has been overhauled with Aston Martin’s latest cockpit design and technologies, moving it away from the outgoing model’s Mercedes-Benz sourced components.

The result is a much more upmarket and bespoke-feeling cabin, accented by gorgeous quilted semi-aniline leather and, in the case of our tester, natural wood trim that can be subbed out for metal or carbon-fibre ornamentation.

Ahead of the driver is a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, augmented by a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, both running the brand’s latest interface. Apple CarPlay is present, as is a thumping 11-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system.

While my time with the DB12 was brief, the new infotainment system feels a lot more mature than the clunky old Mercedes-sourced system, and the fact it has been developed in-house makes the Aston’s tech experience feel less like a parts bin special.

I did find, however, that both the driver and infotainment displays can be a bit of laggy when trying to quickly flick through menus or displays, at times being caught out. Otherwise, it was fairly slick.

There’s a real feeling of craftsmanship here too, from the meticulous perforation and stitching details in the upholstery to the glass starter button encased in what feels like a knurled aluminium ring. It’s gorgeous.

I’m not sure how I feel about the stubby little gear selector, but I guess it’s better than the dash-mounted buttons that have been seen in Astons since the DB9 – tell me which you prefer in the comments!

The switchgear has a really nice clicky and solid action to it. In the past, some generations of Aston Martins have been smacked for lack of perceived quality or shared switchgear from cheaper brands – largely from the Ford era – so this is a very welcome step up.

I also need to take a moment to comment on the steering wheel, which has a lovely soft and supple leather-trimmed rim and features lovely big aluminium paddle shifters behind it. I could do without the gloss black multifunction buttons, but the minimalist and classic shape of the tiller is lovely.

Front seat comfort is excellent for an exotic GT promising long-haul comfort. The first-row chairs are fully electrically adjustable and offer plenty of bolstering and support all round, and also feature both heating and ventilation.

Our test car’s ‘Q Centenary Saddle Tan’ trim will cost you extra, but it’s definitely a classy hide that could easily be transferred to a designer handbag. I’m especially a fan of the detailing.

You can opt for slimmer carbon-fibre performance seats if you wish, but particularly for the more elegant Volante I imagine this would be unnecessary unless you’re planning on hitting the track regularly – which again seems unlikely with a convertible.

Being a 2+2-seater, there’s a set of rear seats that are really best left for emergencies. I squeezed two girlfriends of mine in there and, at 5’2″-ish, even they complained there wasn’t a heap of room. Still, they came along for the ride.

The DB12 offers similar boot space to a small hatchback for when you need to go away for the weekend or cart around extra stuff.

With 262 litres of claimed cargo capacity, it’s not going to be as practical as a DBX707 wagon, but it will be a more liveable companion than similarly priced exotics from the likes of McLaren and Lamborghini.

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The DB12 is the first DB model since the first DB7s of the early ’90s to go without a V12 engine. The sole powertrain option is uprated version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG.

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

How does the Aston Martin DB12 drive?

Of course, driving in and around Melbourne probably isn’t the DB12’s natural habitat, but no doubt many owners use their Aston Martins as high-end luxury commuters in the city and around affluent suburbs.

My quick stint with the drop-top GT started at Aston Martin Melbourne in Richmond and took in the Victorian capital’s inner-city suburbs, before hitting the M3 Eastern Freeway and then the winding roads of Warrandyte and further east.

The DB12 stirs the soul from the moment you fire up the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, with a deep and distinctive exhaust note that sounds unique to Aston Martin. The company says that while the power unit is drawn from its partnership with Mercedes-AMG, 30 per cent of the componentry is unique to the British marque.

Cycling through its various modes dials up or winds down the drama, with the default GT setting being best suited to everyday driving scenarios. Still, I would have preferred a version of the Vanquish’s V12 symphony to be piped from the rear of the DB12.

A sunny Melbourne spring day allowed roof-down motoring from the get-go, and all occupants on board enjoyed the wind in their hair and the burbly tones of the exhaust out back.

Whether you’re putting around in traffic or stretching legs on a freeway on-ramp, the DB12 doesn’t fail to put a smile on your face. Like a properly high-end exotic should, it has a way of making you feel special, and there’s no shortage of heads turning to stare as you waft on by.

Pop the transmission into manual mode and you can hold onto gears to make a little more noise, which is hard to resist in tunnels and under bridges (teehee). It gets even better as the speeds climb, because you can tap into that monstrous acceleration and hear the bellowing exhaust at full noise in all its glory.

Numbers on paper often tell only part of the story, and Aston’s 0-100km/h acceleration claim of 3.7 seconds is nothing to sneeze at. Indeed, this kind of figure was the realm of flagship supercars and hypercars when I was a kid.

But with its two turbochargers and a whopping 800Nm of torque, it’s the ferocity of the rear-driven DB12’s acceleration that impresses. Even better, it’s incredibly linear and effortless to drive fast. There’s minimal lag or hesitation when you bury your right foot, as long as you’re in Sport or Sport+ driving modes.

There’s also minimal tyre scrabble from the rear axle, and you can point and shoot the DB12 towards the horizon with confidence. It thunders along freeway onramps and definitely has the brawn to match its stunning beauty.

Once at a cruise, it’s also beautifully comfortable and nicely settled, as you’d expect of a $500,000 super GT.

Get the DB12 onto a winding B-road and it demonstrates capable cornering capabilities, albeit not quite as sharp as some of its more focused alternatives – but that’s kind of the point.

Like I experienced with the V12 Vanquish, the DB12 eats up higher-speed, flowing corners with aplomb. The steering is fluid and accurate, if not quite as quick or sharp as something from Ferrari or McLaren. But that’s what makes it more liveable day to day.

It’s a car you can have fun in without driving it at 10-10ths, and the addictive soundtrack will make you want to keep the transmission in manual mode and flick through the cogs yourself. The burbly overrun and brassy note on downshifts is nothing short of glorious.

There was a time when I thought a convertible supercar seemed a little naff, given the compromises in terms of structural rigidity and the less appealing silhouette with the fabric roof up. But in the case of the Aston Martin DB12, the drop-top Volante makes so much sense as an everyday driver.

In my view, as a daily vehicle in a speed-limited nation like Australia, a convertible supercar or grand tourer allows you to experience the theatrics of the drivetrain without having to go to the track and wring its neck.

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The DB12 is infinitely customisable, but the global standard specification provides a solid baseline.

DB12 Volante equipment highlights:

21-inch forged alloy wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres
400mm front, 360mm rear brakes
6-piston front, 4-piston rear brake calipers
LED headlights incl. auto high beam
LED daytime running lights
LED tail-lights
Deployable spoiler incl. Aston Martin Aeroblade
Laminated windscreen
Comfort Seats
Ambient lighting
Electric steering column adjustment
Keyless start
Black Alcantara headliner
10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
390W 11-speaker Aston Martin audio system
AM/FM/HD/DAB radio
Wireless phone charging
Satellite navigation
2 x USB ports
12V charging socket

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

Is the Aston Martin DB12 safe?

The DB12, like other high-end sports cars, has never been independently crash tested and probably never will.

However, the move to Aston Martin’s latest electrical architecture and technology suite brings the most up to date advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to the DB12.

Standard safety features include:

Adaptive cruise control incl. stop/go
Traffic sign recognition
Lane departure warning
Lane change assist
Rear cross-traffic assist
Door Open Assist
Hands Off Detection
Auto high beam
Driver drowsiness monitor

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Aston Martin DB12 cost to run?

Aston Martin covers its current range with a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, which is extendable by 12 or 24 months via its official dealers, and roadside assistance cover is also available.

Service pricing is also available upon enquiry at your preferred Aston Martin dealership.

To see how the Aston Martin DB12 compares with its rivals, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Aston Martin DB12

This kind of car is hard to review, because it appeals almost entirely to your heart, not your head.

If you’re fortunate enough to be shopping at this end of the market and you’re reading this review, you’ve likely already made up your mind that you want an Aston Martin, and perhaps more specifically the DB12.

Should that be the case, I’m sure it’ll be everything you imagine it to be. It’s beautiful to look at, beautifully built, and beautiful to drive. Consult Aston Martin’s Q Division and you can create your own ‘1 of 1’ example, too.

As a longtime fan of the brand, I’m somewhat saddened by the lack of a V12 under the bonnet, especially after experiencing the thumping new 12-cylinder that powers the latest Vanquish.

Even a detuned version of this 5.2-litre V12 would have served the DB12 well, and given it an extra dash of pizazz compared to rivals with downsized power units. Still, the V8 is a stonking engine and it doesn’t feel like a heart transplant from a Mercedes-AMG GT.

For more pragmatic mortals, spending $500,000 on a car instead of a property sounds ridiculous. But when you’re in a position to spend this kind of money, it’s exclusivity that matters and this Aston Martin is a status symbol par excellence.

The level of design, craftsmanship and engineering work will make the DB12 feel appropriately boutique to any self respecting car enthusiast, and makes it a fitting descendent to the DB7, DB9 and DBS of my childhood.

Indeed, it’ll make you feel like a movie star every time you drive it. From the theatrical start-up sequence to the attraction of its elegant silhouette, it will attract your attention as much as those around you for many years to come.

All this applies even more so with the Volante convertible, which works superbly here. The DB12 looks simply stunning with its roof down, when it more fully immerses you in its burbling V8 soundtrack, even if you have to pay an extra $40,000 for the privilege.

But surely that’s chump change for the target buyer here.