The Aston Martin DBS is a compact car built from 2009 to 2024 over 3 generations. Between 1971 and 2024 it grew 13 cm longer and gained 121 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the DBS is
The Aston Martin DBS is a compact car that Aston Martin built from 2009 to 2024 — 16 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 2019. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Aston Martin range: Vanquish, DB12, DB9.
DBS generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the DBS's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the DBS that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-1972 | 458 cm | 261 cm | 1724 kg | - | - |
| 2008-2012 | 472 cm | 274 cm | 1695 kg | +14 cm | -29 kg |
| 2019-2024 | 471 cm | 281 cm | 1845 kg | -1 cm | +150 kg |
Between 1971 and 2024 the DBS gained 13 cm in length (+2.8%) and 121 kg in weight (+7.0%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the DBS that is 121 kg against 13 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Aston Martin DBS tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment DBS owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Aston Martin DBS have? Power & range
The Aston Martin DBS is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.2L 12-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Aston Martin DBS, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.2L · 12-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The DBS by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Aston Martin DBS. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | DBS | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 18 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Aston Martin DBS?
The DBS is a compact car, built from 2009 to 2024 across 3 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the DBS have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2019. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the DBS grew 13 cm longer and gained 121 kg.
What is the Aston Martin DBS warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the DBS reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific DBS?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Aston Martin
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin Vantage | 1981–2026 | 5 | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin Valkyrie | — | 2 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin Vanquish | 2001–2026 | 10 | 16 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin DB12 | 2024–2026 | 4 | 17 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Aston Martin DBX | 2021–2026 | 14 | 17 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Aston Martin DB9 | 2005–2016 | 43 | 15 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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