The Vantage is Aston Martin’s best driver’s car in a generation — at least, it’s the brand’s best attainable driver’s car in a generation, not counting limited-production fantasies. While the redesigned 2025 model isn’t a dramatic styling departure from its predecessor, myriad upgrades make the crazy and beautiful coupe even crazier and even more beautiful.
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Beauty Is in the Eye of the Vantage Beholder
Now 1.2 inches wider, the 2025 Vantage inhales through a grille that is likewise expanded. Frameless like that on Aston’s DB cars, the grille is 38% larger than the previous Vantage’s and now flanked by vertical intakes. Around back, it looks as if designers faced the same question of how to style a void. Their answer seems to have been “with as little bodywork surrounding it as possible,” with triangular outlets carved into the trailing edge of the wheel wells and a tiny peninsula of sheet metal that extends into the rear diffuser and is just big enough to accommodate a license plate.
Standard 21-inch wheels are an inch larger in diameter than before and significantly wider to fill out the flexed bodywork. Aston also worked with Michelin to uniquely tailor the Pilot Sport S 5 rubber for the Vantage. The standard brakes measure 15.7 inches up front and 14.2 inches in the rear, and available carbon-ceramics lop some 60 pounds of unsprung weight. Three wheel designs are available in multiple colors and finishes, and in addition to body color and trim material, buyers can spec an accent color for a sill pinstripe, grille “lipstick” (Aston’s word), and the diffuser and rear body panel.
Power to Change (Tires to Dust)
That gaping grille isn’t just for looks. With 656 horsepower and 590 pounds-feet of torque, the Vantage’s engine gains roughly 153 hp and 85 pounds-feet over its predecessor, increases of 30% and 15%, respectively. This is due to serious internal work — revised cam profiles and compression ratios — as well as bigger turbos and increased cooling capacity for intake air, coolant and oil.
The rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission remains but is revised for quicker shifts or smoother ones, depending on the drive mode. Aston claims the Vantage will accelerate to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 202 mph. A new launch control function allows drivers to fine-tune the amount of wheel slip; it can also be turned off entirely to obliterate the Michelins in the shortest time possible.
Reinforced Structure
Revised steering-column mounting and a relocated front cross-member are said to stiffen the front end for improved steering feel — already one of our favorite things about its predecessor. The rear suspension mounting, too, is said to be stiffer, further engorging the Vantage’s high-flow feedback channels. New adaptive dampers boast an increased range of adjustability, and the brake booster is tuned for a firmer pedal.
Like other high-dollar sports cars, the 2025 Vantage includes an advanced Active Vehicle Dynamics control system that Aston says “will reward skilled driving but doesn’t depend upon it to deliver a thrilling experience.” In addition to incremental stability control parameters and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential that can vary lockup from zero to 100%, the traction control can be adjusted to allow for varying degrees of wheel slip on corner exit — and with 590 pounds-feet of torque available, there’s bound to be plenty of that regardless of speed.
Smarter and the Same
One of our biggest complaints with the Vantage has been that its low seats and short windows make for poor outward visibility. While the redesigned dashboard incorporates stronger horizontal lines for a cleaner and less bulky look, it’s unlikely to impact our previous assessment. Aston also ditched the Vantage’s previous infotainment system for a new 10.25-inch touchscreen.
Availability and Pricing
Deliveries of the redesigned 2025 Aston Martin Vantage will begin in the second quarter. Pricing will be announced later, but expect it to start around $150,000.
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