They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there are some exceptions to this rule of thumb. Sometimes there are automotive brands as a whole who struggle to conform to this rule, and they end up just producing beauty after beauty. In this case, we're speaking about none other than the British automaker, Aston Martin.

Updated February 2023: Since Aston Martin's new release of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we had to rethink what the most beautiful Aston Martin car really is. So, to keep you up to date, and shine a light on one of the most underrated car brands of the 21st century, we've updated this list with the best-looking Aston Martins ever.

Sure, it might have had a scarce misstep here and there with cars like the Cygnet and the Lagonda, but apart from those very select few outliers, Aston Martin has never failed to meet our expectations when it comes down to building powerful, breathtaking pieces of automotive ingenuity. No matter which generation you fall into, at some point in your life, one of your dream cars was undoubtedly an Aston Martin.

Apart from not being able to make our list of the most reliable European luxury cars that'll last you a lifetime, Aston Martins are some of the most sought-after models on Earth. They're ferociously fast, unbelievably beautiful, lavishly luxurious, and are bound to increase in value over time. Here, we highlight some of Aston Martin's most jaw-dropping designs ever, whether they be vintage, or brand-spanking new. Also, do keep in mind, this list will be in no particular order.

10 Aston Martin Vanquish (First-Generation)

Front three-quarter look of the Aston Martin Vanquish
Via Aston Martin

To begin our list, we have one of the most beautiful, iconic Bond cars: the Aston Martin Vanquish. Thus far, there have been two generations of the Vanquish manufactured, but we'll be starting off with the first generation for now.

Although these Astons proved to be part of the handful of European luxury cars we wouldn't waste our money on, we can't help but love its dastardly unreliable V12 powertrain and stunning appearance. Despite its notoriously temperamental paddle shift gearbox, it followed suit to the DB7's design language. The difference is that it smoothed out some edges, grew in size here and there, and was overall a much more well-rounded Aston Martin as a result.

Related: Here Are The Most Reliable German Performance Cars To Buy Used (And 5 To Stay Away From)

9 Aston Martin DBR1

Aston Martin DBR1
RM Sotheby's

From the world-famous hero car, we move over to the critically-acclaimed Le Mans race car, the Aston Martin DBR1. Yes, we know including a literal race car to this list might be a tad of tomfoolery, but then again, just look at its beauty. It's also a relatively unknown car to the masses, so here are some things you didn't know about the legendary Aston Martin DBR1.

It had perfectly-sized curves and bulges, no roof, and a stellar color scheme that we all identify as Aston Martin Racing Green today. The DBR1 was a mixed bag when it came to race results, but it definitely snapped everyone's necks when it sped past back in its day — and still does now. Perhaps that's why a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 sold for $22.5 million at an RM Sotheby's auction in Monterey, California.

8 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Aston_Martin-DB4_GT_Zagato-1961-Feature
Via: Aston Martin

If you're a fan of Aston Martin, the name Zagato shouldn't be too awfully unfamiliar to you. At its core, Zagato is an Italian coach-building company that specializes in restyling and coaxing existing car shapes into sheer perfection. The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato is a timeless masterpiece, and thus, an excellent example hereof.

Thanks to a combination of Britain's classy design philosophy, and Italy's over-the-top eccentric nature, the DB4 Zagato came to be. Usually, cars with a droopy look to them end up being awkward and unpleasant, but in the case of the DB4 Zagato, that could not be further from the truth. Its aesthetics is just one of the things that made the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato so awesome.

7 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Silver 1984 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe X-Pack parked
Hexagon Classics

The Vantage name still exists within Aston Martin's ecosystem today, but in regard to the best-looking Vantage, there can only be one: the original. The 1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, to this day, remains one of the most underrated sports cars that are surprisingly good.

If you were to ask us, we'd argue that the V8 Vantage from the '70s was the closest that Aston Martin ever came to an archetypal muscle car design, and most probably ever will. It had the masculine presence of an American-built pony car, yet it didn't do so at the expense of its brand's class and grace. Before we forget, it's also worth mentioning that Rowan Atkinson owned one of these back in the day. The fact that it was verified by Mr Bean should tell you all you need to know in regard to why a used Aston Martin V8 Vantage still commands such a high price tag.

Related: Top 10 Most Overhyped Muscle Cars In The Last Decade

6 Aston Martin Vanquish (Second-Generation)

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Front Quarter Cobalt Blue
Aston Martin

We've already mentioned the first-generation Vanquish, now it's time to talk about its successor. The 2014-2019 Aston Martin Vanquish did exactly what the original set out to do, blending elegance with that fabulous engine upfront, but was considerably less fiddly and way more refined. It also revamped Aston Martin's design philosophy at the time, and inspired models like the Virage.

It retained the iconic grille, the stunning side profile and the sleek silhouette that Aston's are known for. However, its crevasses and creases were sharper, a slight wing formed at the rear, and overall, it gave the brand a much-needed breath of fresh air. Not to mention, the naturally-aspirated 5.9-liter V12 found in the Vanquish S churned out 580 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. In turn, this allows the Vanquish to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. To think you can pick up an early 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante for well under $100k is absurd.

5 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake

2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake Cropped
Aston Martin

Just as Zagato did with the DB4, it also had their chance to morph the Vanquish into something we never thought would come to fruition. Zagato took an already stunning car and stretched it out like a piece of tar, redesigned the rear end, and made it look like nothing else on the road – a two-door station wagon.

In the car world, this body style is usually called a shooting brake, and they're excruciatingly rare. On paper, the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake sounds like a horrendous medley, but in the real world, it's the polar opposite, and it even gives some cool special edition Japanese cars a run for their money when it comes down to exclusivity.

4 Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante
Aston Martin

The DBS Superleggera is the last word is style and power from Aston Martin. While the Vantage and the DBX steal all the sales charts, they do at least allow the carmaker to continue making cars like the DBS – and the world's better for it. A brief look over how much a 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera costs would actually produce fewer raised eyebrows than you might think.

It retains the same sophisticated nature as its ancestors, but only now it boasts a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 that pumps out 715 hp to the rear wheels. Furthermore, Aston recently unveiled the last of the DBS grand touring supercars called the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate — a ferocious farewell to Aston Martin's super GT flagship. Exterior-wise, there are a plethora of upgrades, but underneath the hood, things get even crazier since its V12 now makes 759 hp, while retaining the same 664 lb-ft of torque.

Related: 10 Coolest Upcoming Sports Cars We Can't Wait For

3 Aston Martin One-77

Blue Aston Martin One-77
Via Aston Martin

All carmakers try to pour their whole heart and soul into one car, regardless of profits, at least once. With BMW, it was the M1, while Lamborghini made the Sesto Elemento, the latter of which redefined super sports cars in 2010. But Aston Martin wanted to stay true to its roots, and make sure that its car could actually be used on the road (as if that was ever going to be the case with a super rare, super expensive hypercar like this).

Billed the One-77, it is as close as you can get to a DB9 on steroids. It's longer, more bulbous, has teardrops flowing out of its eyes, a single connecting tail light and a monster that inhabits it as well. The powertrain that drives the rear wheels of the One-77 is a 7.3-liter V12 that emits 750 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It also sounds like a noughties era V10 F1 car, which would never get boring to live with. Unfortunately, just 77 Aston Martin One-77 models were ever made.

2 Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin DB9 - Front Quarter
Bring a Trailer

Out of all the Aston Martins to ever exist, two of them stand taller than the rest. The first is the iconic Aston Martin DB9 and the second... well, the second one we'll talk about lastly on our list. The DB9's gorgeous looks aren't all just due to luck, either. The design behind the DB9 actually involved an unhealthy amount of mathematics, known as the golden ratio. That's a whole new subject entirely, so let's not open that can of worms today.

We wouldn't be doing the DB9 justice if we didn't mention its performance version, the DBS, too. On the surface, both of these cars look very similar, and although the DBS seems slightly more modern, it was only marginally faster due to them both sharing the same 5.9-liter V12. Regardless, both have aged like fine wine, and given that the Aston Martin DB9 is a bargain for show-offs, you'd be crazy not to consider one if you had the funds.

1 Aston Martin DB5

Aston Martin DB5
Historics

There are very few cars that managed to gather as much admiration from the world as the Aston Martin DB5 – after all, it is James Bond's senior weapon of choice. The engine that laid underneath the DB5's hood might not be one of the greatest inline-six engines ever made, but it sure stood its ground.

Instead of taking away the DB5's poise, that raspy, pure tone of its four-liter, 281-hp straight-six definitely added a new vertical to its handsome presence. This will surely go down in history as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. A glance at what a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is worth today will serve as a reminder of just that.