Review: Aston Martin Vantage (Facelift)

For many Aston Martin enthusiasts after the turn of the century, the ‘VH’ Vantage was hard to eclipse. This facelifted ‘AM6’ generation is eager to challenge that thinking.

New taut lines make the Vantage look even more lean.

Aston Martin is for atypical thinkers. The hoards of people queuing to get their hands on the latest gold or silver bars recently aren’t the target audience. An Aston owner would already have a vault full of it tucked away in Switzerland.

The Vantage feels engaging even against sportier rivals.

The ‘VH’ Vantage was the one I grew up with. A petite profile, handbuilt quality and that angry-sounding V8 made it an alluring alternative to a Porsche 911, especially when specified with a manual. Later versions even managed to shoehorn a V12 underneath the bonnet, and miraculously, I had a go in one. 

Its iconic swan doors still steal the show.

When the ‘AM6’ Vantage made its debut, I have to confess that it left me a bit cold. I couldn’t gel with its slightly aloof looks, especially with the front headlights. The interior quality seemed to have taken a dip, too. Somehow, some of the magic was lost. 

Interior quality and design is much improved.

But something is afoot at Aston Martin of late, especially after Lawrence Stroll came on board. I felt this evidently in the updated DB12, which frankly feels more like an all-new car than a mere facelift. So with the facelifted ‘AM6’ Vantage, I had high expectations. 

Buttons are amazing.

It absolutely didn’t disappoint. Although its Hyper Red and bronze wheels were a tad much (it’s actually inspired by the new V12 Vanquish), the exterior design was nothing short of a stunning makeover. The confident face with a huge air intake reminds me of the venerable One-77, while the overall lines are tauter and tighter, as if a shrinkwrap was applied to the bodywork. There’s not an angle I’d fault.

The seats hug you, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable.

On the inside, the improvements are pretty much identical to the DB12’s interior. Everything has been brought bang up-to-date, especially where visual appeal and quality are concerned. Buttons still flow down the centre console like a Tetris game, but that’s a big plus rather than a minus. Everything you need is within reach and just a press away; why was this ever changed to a huge screen in many new cars? The only thing I’d fault is the slightly slow UX on both the infotainment system and the instrument panel. Otherwise, they’re logically designed and laid out. 

The AMG-derived V8 is muscular, if a bit Germanic

If you think the Vantage is a more focused and intentional DB12, you wouldn’t be far off the mark. The DNA of the DB12 is very much in the Vantage, from the way it steers to the way it confidently takes on pretty much everything on the road, short of going to gravel. It’s a very balanced machine with lots of layers to unravel and explore, a mark of a great drivers’ car. The Vantage however is more playful and, thanks to its shorter wheelbase and stiffer springs, more of an enthusiast car than a GT. And that’s precisely what the Vantage should be. It’s not harsh at all, no; it still rides well enough to be driven daily with ease. But there’s more determination in its gait and the feeling it’s waiting to be unleashed. 

The Vantage has returned to form.

I really like the new Vantage. It feels like a return to form, a car that finally I can look forward to after the ‘VH’ Vantage that I so often think about. 

Photos by Sean Seah