Aston Martin Vantage S 2026 Review

The historied British marque is making a big fuss over the 19th letter of the alphabet throughout its range. Yet Aston Martin isn’t just slapping a big S on various vehicle flanks and interiors without cause. No. That's because the designation delivers tangible mechanical improvements.

That’s certainly the case for the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S.

It takes the front mid-engine, rear-drive formula of the heavily updated 2024 version but turns up the wick on the Mercedes-AMG-derived twin-turbo V8. There’s now an astounding 500kW of power with tweaks to various componentry for greater dynamic competence.

Impressively, it doesn’t come with a significant price hike. Well, $10k is a noteworthy amount to many, but when the cost of admission for the S Coupe is $420,000, it pales in comparison and works out to a 2.4% increase.

If you prefer your thrills topless, the S Roadster commands $445,000 (all prices are before on-road costs). The non-S versions of the Coupe and Roadster remain at $410,000 and $436,000 respectively.

Adding the 'S' to your Vantage also means Aston Martin is going after another rival that shares its namesake – the venerable Porsche 911 Turbo S. It deploys monstruous hybridised grunt but also ups the monetary ante – as does the well-rounded Ferrari Amalfi.

Aston Martin’s three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies, which can be extended via the brand’s Pinnacle program. Servicing is? required? every 12 months or 16,000km, whichever comes first.

The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S delivers the type of silhouette that commands positive attention without asking for it. A long bonnet, bulging arches, smooth lines and the distinctive LED lightbar at the rear define its design and proportions.

Adding to the seductive and muscular, yet luxurious and elegant aesthetic, the S gains hand-forged brass badges that are chrome plated and filled with red glass. Conversely, some of the other changes like the full-width carbon-fibre ducktail spoiler aren’t there just for show.

That item produces 44kg of downforce, while a new front air dam (and underbody elements with venturi vanes to manage airflow) also generates an extra 67kg of downward pressure at the Coupe’s 325km/h top speed. The overall aerodynamic balance has been shifted forward to improve cornering and turn-in response as well as high-speed stability.

Visual cues with a purpose don’t stop there, with the centrally mounted bonnet blades aiding heat extraction from the engine bay. Under the skin, the rear subframe is now directly mounted to the body (instead of rubber bushings), while the transmission’s mounts have been softened.

Alterations and fine-tuning of the software for the Bilstein DTX dampers have also been made, but we’ll get to that shortly. Essentially, despite running S-specific 21-inch alloys with low-profile Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres, the ride quality hasn’t been relegated to an afterthought.

Some of the standard equipment includes (16-way) powered sports seats with heating, powered steering column with a heated, Alcantara-wrapped wheel, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with ‘presenting’ door handles, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a laminated windscreen.

‘Our’ Xenon Grey Vantage S is far from standard. The heavy-hitting options include the 21-inch Y spoke forged alloy wheels in Satin Black, carbon-ceramic brakes with brake calipers painted in Gold, Bowers & Wilkins premium audio, seat ventilation as well as Satin Black badging on the outside and red interior accents within the cabin.

All told, the test car’s value climbs to $530,170 before on-road costs.

The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S has not been subjected to ANCAP crash testing, so it remains unrated. There are four airbags in the two seat sports car, while ISOFIX is available if the passenger-side airbag is deactivated.

Active safety tech is highlighted by autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning with active lane keeping, cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree surround view camera, fatigue ?detection ?and road sign recognition.

The Vantage S also comes with console-mounted button to cancel the active safety aids. Press it and then confirm the action to mute all the annoying? bings? and bongs. While it would be nice to see a standard head-up display, it's good to see that the Matrix LED headlights are powerful.

Like the ‘base’ model, the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S receives a revolutionised tech experience.

And it isn’t only down to the inclusion of Apple CarPlay Ultra, with the brand listening to feedback from owners and the media to increase font sizes and revamp the graphics for a far superior experience.

It’s rather ironic that the native Aston Martin User Interface/infotainment presents so well on the dual 10.25-inch displays given the trouble it has gone to usher in CarPlay Ultra. For Apple users, the benefits lie within its integration, affording the ability to manipulate things like the climate control and driving modes through the mirroring system.

Overall, it’s pleasing to use.

For those outside the Apple sphere, wireless Android Auto is available, too. Other inclusions are a wireless charge pad, sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, voice activation, USB-C ports and a 360-watt, 11-speaker sound system if you don’t want to opt for the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins audio.

The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S might run sans hybridisation, but the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre bent eight underneath the sleek bonnet is a lethal weapon. The enticing exterior pulls you in, but the 500kW and 800Nm rear-wheel-drive powertrain keeps you engaged.

Although, in a landscape filled with truly bonkers performance figures, the twin-turbo Aston’s 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds is at risk of appearing tardy. But ultimately this isn't the case when you consider the Vantage’s status within the brand. Aston Martin claims the 0.1sec reduction is mainly due to a rethink of the launch control.

It feels astonishingly rapid behind the wheel. There’s a whiff of hesitation as the hot-vee turbos spool from 2500prm, but it quickly whips up a heady steam and continues to boil over right up to its 7000rpm cut out. Aston Martin also undertakes bespoke internal and ancillary revisions to the AMG-derived engine.

It’s a tractable unit, too, one that revs cleanly and delivers relentless acceleration if you want to really stretch its legs. However, the boosted V8 readily accommodates short-shifting gears as it taps into the well of torque – one that’s 800Nm deep.

Despite not being a dual-clutch unit, the rear-mounted ZF eight-speed torque-converter automatic shifts through its ratios quick enough when you’re in the mood to boogie and smooth enough when you aren’t. On the odd occasion it can decline eager manual down shifts, but for the most part, your inputs are adhered to.

Then there’s the soundtrack and, thankfully, tightening emissions laws haven’t silenced its engrossing acoustics. Aston Martin develops its own exhaust paths and intake away from AMG, making sure the Vantage S is a rich and unique aural delight. With three modes to choose from, it can also be docile for certain occasions.

Ultimately, the stonking engine makes the Vantage S a bruit in a tailored suit.

We have to answer this… for real?

Look, the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S does deliver a semblance of efficiency on the highway, dipping to around the 10L/100km mark at cruising speeds. As the tempo rises, you’ll be impressed whenever that average dips below something starting with a two…

Officially, the ‘entry-level’ Aston Martin’s claim sits at 12.1L/100km, and its 73-litre tank requires 98 RON premium unleaded.

Right off the bat, there are a few things to contend with when behind the wheel of the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage.

While it might ‘only’ enjoy an 11kW bump (and torque remains the same) it’s still 500kW and 800Nm being channelled solely to the back axle. And yes, there are MASSIVE 325-section Michelins to aid purchase, but it’s easy to overpower them.

Hence, even driving in a straight line can get a bit wriggly before you even think about yaw on corner exit. Although, the latter can be controlled via the e-diff and eight stages of traction control. They also form a friendlier safety net without cutting the ability to drive the Vantage S by throttle as much as steering inputs.

Still, with so much character and attitude, the Vantage S is an experience you must work up to. And when you do grow in confidence and lean on the talented bonded-aluminium chassis, there’s fun to be had if you’re willing to manhandle it. Your smile grows congruently with your level of input.

Driving modes are an integral part of the equation and, rather hilariously, Sport is the most relaxed option you can select via the beautifully knurled, metal rotary controller in anodised red. It makes you want to mode switch just to use it. Plus you can tailor your own experience via Individual (or use Sport+ and Track).

There’s no rear-axle steering, but the wide tracks and short wheelbase make the smallest Aston feel agile. Given the 4.0-litre engine sits so far back in the engine bay, affording the 50:50 weight distribution, it fosters positive turn and front-end accuracy. It’s easy to find a flow when hustling along an interesting road.

A complete overhaul of the suspension geometry works wonders in this regard, too. There are revised settings for camber, toe and caster that not only improves grip up front, but the overall balance. Reducing the transmission mount stiffness and a 10 per-cent softening of the rear springs also increases refinement.

Softer rear DTX dampers not only aids low-speed ride quality, but it also helps the Vantage S breathe with the road better. It feels more tied down and tends to ‘grab and release’ less often when trying to get the power down on a potholed corner exit.

It stops on a dime, which is reassuring given the pace that can be generated. The optional carbon-ceramic discs are dinner-plate sized (410mm front, 360mm rear) and resist all attempts to soften the pedal and make them fade.

The steering is heavily weighted no matter the driving mode and despite being sharp, it could use extra dexterity to match the layered chassis.

It’s nitpicking, but the S doesn’t quite do the cossetting, grand-touring coupe ‘thing’ quite as well as the likes of the Ferrari Amalfi – especially without the Italian’s famed Bumpy Road mode. Yes, there’s a sophistication to the damping, but with 21-inch rolling stock can struggle with bigger hits and it never quite relaxes in terms of its secondary ride. You also must watch the wide booty as cat’s eyes are easy to clip.

However, while Aston Martins used to trade on charm and cachet to compensate for a lack of dynamic excellence, the Vantage S proves it now well and truly deserves its place in the sports car conversation.

Matching the X-factor of the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S is always going to be a tough ask – but it does.

Open the ‘Swan Wing’ door and you’re greeted with swathes of Alcantara, Onyx Black semi-aniline leather, satin-twill carbon-fibre inlays, metres of stitching and anodised red accents. The Alcantara steering wheel feels nice in hand, as does the milled metal drive selector and shift paddles.

Essentially, it’s an event. One that leads with solid build quality and transforms at night with well-considered ambient lighting.

Borrowing its design from the DB12, the cabin takes a massive step forward, while the subtle S detailing heightens the vibe. The touchpoints match the luxury intent, too, while the seats are supportive for long drives. However, noise intrusion from the broad Michelin tyres could be improved.

We’ve already detailed the tech-forward execution, but that’s juxtaposed in all the right ways with abundant physical controls. It’s a win for analogue ergonomics in most cases – well, apart from the seat adjustment, which is awkwardly placed. There’s also a bit too much piano black that attracts unwanted fingerprints.

While storage areas for bits and bobs are at a premium within the interior, the boot offers generous capacity for a two-seat coupe at 345 litres.

The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S is an extrovert, but with an inherent level of refinement. In all the right ways, the muscular two-door coupe innately works its way under your skin the longer you live with it.

You could argue that Aston Martin hasn’t gone far enough with the 'S' to warrant the fanfare of a new variant. Yet it isn’t trying to be a hardcore track car and it’s more than the sum of its parts. All the incremental changes justify the $10k premium and it largely renders the ‘entry’ Vantage variant obsolete.

Another boon is the fact the Vantage S is less expensive than its rivals despite costing $420,000. However, Aston Martin has a small amount of ground to cover to best the likes of Ferrari’s well-rounded Amalfi and Porsche’s do-it-all 911 Turbo S.

Still, in the right conditions, the Brit is brimming with a boisterous and beguiling nature. It’s one that satiates old-school appetites while servicing modern tastes. And for that, we totally understand why you might choose it over everything else.

2026 Aston Martin Vantage S at a glance:
Price: ?$420,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available:? Now
Powertrain:? 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Output:? 500kW/800Nm
Transmission: ?Eight-speed automatic
Fuel:? 12.1L/100km
CO2:? 275g/km
Safety rating:? Not tested

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