The luxury SUV market is experiencing an ongoing expansion and the latest product to arrive in this sector is a stylish family hauler with an Aston Martin badge.

Dubbed the DBX, it joins a group that includes the Bentley Bentayga and the Lamborghini Urus, but to some extent also the Mercedes-Maybach GLS. Luxury SUVs come in all shapes and sizes, but true rivals are often identified by their similar price tags, which means the (cheaper) Porsche Cayenne or the (more expensive) Rolls-Royce Cullinan should not factor into this conversation.

Performance-wise though, the DBX is currently an ideal match for the V8 version of the Bentley Bentayga, and since they’re both built by style-driven British brands, we figured they deserved a comparison piece that doesn’t include any other ultra expensive SUV. So from now on, no more talk of Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce or Porsche, because prospective Bentayga buyers clearly cannot ignore Aston’s alternative.

Typically different

Both the DBX and the Bentayga immediately stand out as an Aston Martin and a Bentley, respectively. Their designers made sure that you weren’t going to mistake them for anything else on the road and as far as we’re concerned, they’re about as different as a DB11 is from a Continental GT.

Also read: Aston Martin DBX Really Looks The Part In Minotaur Green And Satin Solar Bronze

The DBX is definitely the sleeker and more athletic looking of the two, with lines that accentuate its sporty nature. The continuous shoulder line that runs from the headlights to the very edge of the tailgate adds visual aggressiveness. Meanwhile, the Bentayga looks more conservative, as most Bentley models do when compared to an Aston Martin. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just the way it’s always been throughout their history.

Here’s how they differ in terms of measurements. the DBX weighs 2,320 kg (5,114 lbs) with 5,039 mm (198.3 inches) in length, 1,998 mm (78.6 inches) in width, 1,680 mm (66.1 inches) in height and has a 3,060 mm (120.4 inches) long wheelbase. The Bentayga on the other hand comes in at 2,395 kg (5,280 lbs), and is 5,140 mm (202.3 inches) long, 1,998 mm (78.6 inches) wide, stands 1,742 mm (68.6 inches) tall and its wheelbase measures 2,995 mm (118 inches).

Here’s the kicker though. With all 5 seats in place, the trunk of the Bentayga only has 484 liters (17 cu.ft) of volume without anything folded, whereas the DBX offers you a much more substantial 632 liters (22.5 cu.ft).

Identical performance

Regardless of what upcoming versions of the DBX might arise, the current car is powered by an AMG-sourced twin turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, pushing down 542 HP (550 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque with the aid of a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It’s the same unit you get in the Vantage or the DB11 V8.

Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the DBX takes 4.5 seconds, while top speed is 291 km/h (181 mph).

The Bentayga on the other hand uses a VAG-sourced 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 unit, with actually the exact same amount of horsepower at 542 (550 PS), but more torque at 770 Nm (568 lb-ft). An eight-speed auto helps you get from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the same 4.5 seconds as in the Aston, and you even have the same aforementioned top speed.

As for how they differ on the road, it’s a safe bet to say that the DBX should feel a little more engaging to drive, since Aston Martin is a luxury sports car maker.

“DBX is a car that will give many people their first experience of Aston Martin ownership. As such it needed to be true to the core values established in our sports cars, while also providing the lifestyle versatility expected of a luxury SUV. To have produced such a beautiful, hand built, yet technologically advanced car is a proud moment for Aston Martin,” said the company’s CEO Andy Palmer.

Of course, we’ll have to wait for the first driving reviews in order to see just how good the DBX is on the twisty bits.

All luxed up

Compared to the Bentley, the cabin of the DBX is yet again typical of Aston Martin. The overall shape of the dashboard is “dynamic” and the materials reportedly top notch.

The Bentayga’s interior is a little more conventional, yet allows for more places where you can insert different materials. It also has a regular gear selector, instead of those awkwardly positioned buttons on top of the DBX’s 10.25 inch infotainment screen. It really looks like a bit of a stretch for the driver to engage Neutral or Drive.

What’s great about both models is that regardless of which you choose, they’re both properly practical and can make good family SUVs. The DBX is particularly clever as far as storage spaces are concerned, thanks to its massive door pockets and that floating center console which also houses a wireless charging pad for your smartphone.

The Aston also comes with Apple CarPlay as standard, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, sporty-looking paddle shifters and an overall more modern environment than what you’ll find inside the Bentayga – although that’s hardly Bentley’s fault since their SUV was unveiled nearly five years ago. Still, a facelifted version of the Bentayga has already begun testing in prototype form, which means that it should narrow the gap to the DBX in terms of onboard tech as early as next year.

But which is more affordable?

This is the part where most people would probably guess that the Aston Martin is the cheaper of the two to purchase. However, the DBX has a starting price of $189,900 in the U.S. – whereas the “entry-level” V8-powered Bentayga costs upwards of $165,000. Of course, once you start adding a few options, both will easily crack the $200,000 mark.