Highline Test Drives
Faster, more aggressive, and turning more heads than ever, the 2026 Vantage Roadster has joined the rest of the Aston Martin line-up with its modern facelift in both appearance and performance. While still the ‘baby’ Aston in the range, this Vantage Roadster has a 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 producing 650 hp and 590 ft lbs. of torque, and a starting sticker price of $205,900 (our example was $315,800 as tested). The Vantage Roadster may be the entry point to Aston Martin new car ownership, but with the performance and price tag that comes with it, this certainly would not be any customer’s first luxury sports car. The Aston Martin brand and their vehicles are something you aspire to drive, to be in, and to own. In its presence or behind the wheel of the new Vantage Roadster is where owners experience the difference, and the numbers on paper fly out of the power-folding roof.
This 2025/2026 refresh throughout the Aston Martin range lands with perfect execution on the new Vantage Roadster. An updated front face with an aggressive front splitter, and a more conventional grille design vs. the large hole in the bumper that was featured initially for this new generation in 2020. The redesign includes wider shoulders and hips, and an almost jeweled front headlight design that brings a fresh look to the familiar shape. The ‘modern’ Vantage introduced in 2005 has always carried a similar shape and design ethos to the present day. Over 20 years later you can see how the overall design language of sports cars in general has adapted and transformed. From originally very soft, clean smooth lines, to aggressive, angular, and sharp detailing, the evolution in the design of the Vantage can be applied to almost any modern sports car, making it a marker with-in the industry for where design is headed.
Interior-wise, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster shares the same infotainment and vehicle control layout as the other modern Aston Martin models. The incredible Bowers & Wilkins audio package ($10,000 option) is one of the best we have experienced in a vehicle, and noticeably better than the same branded systems in other vehicles from other manufacturers. Excellent interior leather around the cabin reminds drivers they didn’t just purchase a sports car, but one of the best luxury sports cars money can buy.
Convertibles are not for everyone; we get that, but the number one reason why you would want the Roadster over the Coupé is to hear the 650 hp twin-turbo AMG V8 motor even better with the top down. The Vantage has shared its V8 power plant with AMG Mercedes-Benz since this generation was launched in 2020, with considerable power and performance gains compared to the old unit produced by Aston Martin themselves. From 420 hp in 2005 to 503 hp in 2020 and onto 650 hp in this 2026 car, with an S variant coming soon at 670+ hp! The German V8’s power is directed through a ZF 8-speed auto trans, which will do 0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds and has an official top speed of 202 MPH.
Having all the power in the world is great in a hardcore street/track car, but the Vantage Roadster needs to be able to perform the double persona of a luxury GT vehicle as well. Luckily Aston Martin has not gone mad with suspension stiffness, snappy gear changes, and anti-social exhaust noise. Sure, it is all there if you want it after a few adjustments of the settings, but it is up to the driver when and how they want their Vantage Roadster to perform. Put the vehicle in auto, leave the suspension soft, and the performance figures in ‘street’; you have your relaxed GT Aston Martin cruiser to soak up the miles in the sun with the top down.
The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster delivers excellent execution to the brand’s latest refresh, combining sharper styling, more power, and a richly appointed interior into a car that feels both performance and luxury. With the added appeal of open-top driving enhancing both sound and emotion, all while maintaining the flexibility to shift seamlessly between relaxed cruising and high-performance excitement.
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