Used 2020 Aston Martin Vantage

With its striking styling and great performance, the latest-generation Aston Martin Vantage offers a reasonably affordable way to get into this legendary British brand. The Vantage looks good, both inside and out, and it delivers on the promise that its design makes. Stomp on the throttle and its 503-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 will respond with neck-snapping acceleration and a resonantly reassuring rumble.

The 2020 model year brings the return of a manual transmission for those who like to row their own boat, though its unusual shift pattern and reduced torque will likely keep most buyers opting for the smooth and intuitive 8-speed automatic. Steering is precise and predictable, and as you gain confidence, you’ll discover just how nimbly it can handle tight corners. On the whole, the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage, with whichever trim package you choose, is a great choice.

The classic V-12 engine went away with the last-generation Vantage. The new, 503-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 is a more than suitable replacement, however. It is lightning-fast, hitting 60 in the mid- to high-3-second range all while offering a menacing roar.

The Mercedes-AMG-derived engine is paired with a silky 8-speed automatic, but a new 7-speed manual debuts on the limited-edition AMR. In 2020, the stick will become an option across the board. Whether it’s worth the option price depends upon personal tastes, but the stick does cost you 44 lb-ft of torque — and 0.3 second off the 0-60 time — the manual dropping to 461 lb-ft. Its unusual shift pattern also can be a bit daunting, at least initially. One plus: the manual model’s revised rear springs and stiffer rollbar let you slide the tail out more confidently while cornering.

The Vantage delivers far more than just straight-line performance. A tired cliché, perhaps, but it’s absolutely accurate to say you’ll take corners feeling like you’re on rails, your confidence building with every mile. Part of the credit goes to adaptive dampers that help soak up most of the bumps when cruising, but which also help the Aston Vantage hunker down under more aggressive driving.

The latest-generation Vantage brings some major improvements to what had been, in prior generations, a pretty Spartan cabin. The Aston Martin 2-seater now features much more refined and elegant materials, the “base” car trimmed in leather and faux suede. But it really shines if you’re willing to opt up to features like the full-leather package, the embroidered seats and the carbon-fiber version of Vantage’s squared-off steering wheel.

There’s an easy-to-read, 8-inch infotainment display, which, like the new 4.0-liter V-8 engine, is sourced from Mercedes. It’s an improvement over the old system — but doesn’t get the German maker’s new MBUX voice-assistant technology. We also found the buttons on the center console a bit cheaper-feeling than the rest of the package would suggest.

One of seven new models set to flesh out the Aston lineup over the next few years, the Vantage is also one of the most attractive. The British maker has sculpted, rather than designed, the body of this 2-seater, with a notable lack of extraneous details marring the overall appearance. The long, tapered nose blends into the steeply raked windshield, which, in turn, flows into the arched roofline.

The classic Aston grille and oversized wheels further add to the sense of menace, whether you see the Vantage blast past you, or race up in your rearview mirror. Kudos to the Aston Martin design team for maintaining the car’s graceful roofline in its ragtop Volante trim.

4.0-LITER TWIN-TURBO V-8
This is the heart and soul of the 2020 Vantage. It may come from AMG but it seems perfectly suited to Aston Martin’s application.

7-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Okay, it takes some getting used to the shift pattern and you do lose some torque, but there’s something almost genetically satisfying about the added connection between man and machine.

In addition to the Strathmore leather and Alcantara interior, the new Vantage comes with 10-way-power sport seats with memory settings, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch infotainment screen with navigation and satellite radio, a black leather steering wheel (manually adjustable) and dark anodized brake calipers.

To make your exotic even more exotic, you can choose from myriad options, including a full heated and ventilated leather interior featuring embossed headrests, a premium audio system, a 369-degree camera, dark chrome and carbon-fiber interior jewelry and matching luggage.

Aston took some aficionados by surprise when it decided to abandon its old V-12 for this latest-generation Vantage. True, there was something uniquely sensuous about the V-12’s sound and feel, But they needn’t have worried, for the new V-8, derived from Mercedes-AMG, is a more than appropriate replacement. It’s responsive, quick and delivers a confident burble at idle that becomes a menacing roar when your foot hits the floor.

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
503 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
505 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm w/8-speed automatic
461 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm w/7-speed manual
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg (automatic)