Should you choose the Aston Martin Vantage S?
The Vantage S is worth considering if you want the more focused version of Aston Martin's compact sports car. The interesting changes concern the chassis and controls as much as the 680PS engine. Buyers should compare its everyday behaviour and specification with a regular Vantage before deciding the S is worth the extra spend.
There comes a point where another handful of horsepower is not going to transform your journey to the shops. The Vantage was hardly waiting for someone to make it quick enough. For me, the S has to make its case through the details you notice when you are not using everything the engine can give.
That is a useful way to approach an expensive sports car. Buy the one whose character suits you, not automatically the version that sits highest in the price list.
What changed when the Vantage S arrived?
Aston Martin announced the S in July 2025, with deliveries scheduled from the final quarter of that year. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 680PS and 800Nm. The official 0–62mph figure is 3.4 seconds and the maximum speed is 202mph.
More interestingly, the rear subframe is mounted directly to the body, and the dampers, chassis settings and throttle calibration were revised. Those changes are intended to sharpen the connection between driver and car. That is the manufacturer's engineering brief, rather than a substitute for assessing how it feels on your roads.
Why do the chassis changes matter more than the power?
A sports car needs to communicate, not simply accelerate. The ability to place it confidently, understand what the tyres are doing and adjust its line matters on every interesting road. An extra burst of straight-line pace may matter only occasionally.
I would compare the S and a regular Vantage over a similar route. Include a patch of poor surface, a few tight junctions and some ordinary traffic. If you only try the S on a smooth, empty road, you may learn very little about the compromise you are buying for the rest of the week.
Equally, a more focused car is not automatically uncomfortable. The question is whether its particular balance works for you. A test drive should answer that, rather than confirm a decision already made by the badge.
Does the styling add anything useful?
The S has its own bonnet details, badges and rear spoiler. Aston also describes revised aerodynamic measures. I would separate the visual appeal from high-speed claims: a quoted downforce figure at maximum speed tells you little about a normal British journey.
The design can still be a perfectly good reason to prefer it. A car bought partly for pleasure is allowed to look the way you want. Just be honest about what the option is buying. There is nothing wrong with choosing a colour or trim because it makes you smile.
What would I check before ordering?
Start with the seating position, visibility and the space available in your usual parking places. Try the controls you will use every day. If the car is intended for weekends away, bring the bags and check that the luggage arrangement fits your plans.
Then price the exact specification. Wheels, paint, interior materials and other options can move the total significantly. Ask about tyre replacement, servicing and insurance for that derivative, rather than assuming the headline purchase price is the whole decision.
I would also think carefully before replacing a Vantage you already know and enjoy. The cost of changing cars needs to buy a meaningful improvement for you. Newer is a description, not a verdict.
What else belongs in the comparison?
The regular Vantage should be the first comparison, followed by other sports cars that fit your intended use. For a very different open-top electric approach, see my MG Cyberster coverage. The Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo is relevant if the real brief includes performance and more everyday carrying ability.
Those are not direct price-for-price substitutes. They help clarify whether you want a focused sports car, open-air enjoyment or a fast car that does more of the household jobs.
What is my verdict?
The Vantage S has a stronger case when you look beyond its power output. I am interested in the revised chassis and the idea of a more deliberate connection through the controls. Those are the differences I would spend time assessing.
For a new buyer, it deserves a place alongside the regular Vantage on the shortlist. For an existing owner, I would need a clear personal preference after comparing them before paying to change. A car this expensive should feel like the right choice, not an obligation to have the latest badge.
Sources and author
By Ben Freakley. Editorial assessment based on Aston Martin's Vantage S announcement and engineering details, checked 21 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Official Aston Martin image. More Aston Martin coverage.
