Aston Martin and Bentley are European-owned car manufacturers, so it will be interesting to see how they sell in the US, a nation renowned for their cool and high-end luxury SUVs.
Both companies were born in the same era, and both changed hands several times before settling down and evolving into the elegant and luxury brands they are today.
Introducing The Aston Martin DBX
When considering Aston Martin, the words 'luxury' and 'performance' most definitely spring to mind. Best known for producing high-octane sports cars that scream power, elegance, and performance, Aston Martin changed direction in response to the increasing demand and popularity of SUVs. They jumped on the luxury SUV bandwagon and introduced the DBX in 2020.
The DBX is created from aluminum. Not only does this metal make the car robust, but it also makes it extremely lightweight - the perfect combination for a sporty, high-performance SUV. Aston Martin has remained true to its engineering identity with the DBX, and it shares the double-wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear axle, and electronic adaptive damping for each wheel, with its sports car family.
In an Aston Martin first, they elected to introduce all-round air suspension on the DBX, which gives superior ride and dynamic control. This suspension system enables the ride height to be adjusted up to 95 mm. When raised, it helps the DBX cover tricky terrain and when lowered, it makes access and loading of the DBX much easier. With AWD and variable torque distribution, the DBX will give the driver the confidence to take on any challenge without compromising on performance and comfort, whilst retaining the driveability and handling of a sports car!
The DBX came to the US in late 2020 with a starting price tag of $176,900. It's difficult for a relatively small and niche car manufacturer from the UK to make a dent in the US car sales market, but Aston Martin came to an agreement with Mercedes-Benz AG back in 2013, for the development of engines and electric infrastructure, allowing the use of this new technology to enhance the DBX and turn it into a powerhouse of an SUV. Aston Martin recently made a return to the Formula 1 grid and in keeping with the marque's legendary racing pedigree, the DBX drives like a sports car, reaching 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds powered by a mighty 4.0-liter V8 Mercedes-Benz engine.
Bring On The Bentley Bentayga
Like the DBX, the Bentley Bentayga was introduced as a non-compromising, high-performing luxury SUV. It is the type of SUV that can be driven absolutely everywhere. It is comfortable enough for city and highway driving, while having the guts and power to take you off-road with confidence and style.
Bentley first introduced their SUV, the Bentayga a few years ago, ahead of the DBX, in 2015. The Bentayga fleet boasts four models, starting with the Bentayga S up to the Bentayga Hybrid, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain allowing for zero and low-emission driving.
While the Bentayga V8 can rival the DBX in speed and power, if you're looking for something truly special, look no further than the Bentayga Speed, aptly named with its eye-watering 6.0-liter W12 engine, reaching speeds that no other SUVs can reach. With a top speed of 190mph and easing from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds (yes, an SUV hitting 60mph in under 4 seconds!), this SUV is truly magnificent.
So, How Do These Luxury SUVs From Europe Compete Against America's Finest?
It's fair to say, that despite the higher pricing of both the DBX and the Bentayga in the US, these prices reflect the fact both models are imported from the UK.
They are both selling reasonably well in the US, with the Bentayga proving more popular than the DBX, but Bentley has offered more diversity in their model range, than Aston Martin. Where they beat their competitors, like the Audi SQ7 and the BMW X5 M, they are still more expensive than their counterparts, but that is largely due to the fact they can be built to order and therefore tailored to the individual buyer's specific requirements.
But we need to look at how these European cars compare against the American competition and the other competitors in the US market.
According to Forbes.com, the DBX and the Bentayga, don't even feature in the top 20 best-selling vehicles in the US for 2021. Out front and on top is the mighty Ford F-Series, despite the shortage of computer chips, which led to a reduction in production quantities. The Ram Pickup came a close second, just in front of the Chevy Silverado. Out of the top 20 bestsellers, 9 of those were SUVs, manufactured by Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda. The rest of the bestsellers are made up of pick-ups and sedans.
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While the DBX and the Bentayga retain their quiet elegance, refined luxury, superior power, and handling, they can't quite compete with the brands of America, that have remained loyal to their people and listened to what they want. What do they want? They want the big, impressive SUVs of the Ford, Chevrolet, and Jeeps whilst moving forward with new technology, and they don't want to pay big bucks for a European marque that can't beat the American names in terms of luxury and power.
The DBX and Bentayga are world-class, but remain in a niche of their own when it comes to the US market.