This is what the Aston Martin DBX should have been the whole time. With the introduction of the performance tuned and refined DBX707, Aston Martin gives customers more of what they've been asking for since the SUV went on sale three years ago.

Now, the DBX SUV more closely competes with the Lamborghini Urus, topping it in many ways, showcasing what the British automaker is truly capable of when it comes to performance.

This new take on the DBX SUV features the same basic design as the original. Up front it wears a larger satin chrome grille with six horizontal bars and a fresh daytime running light design. New air intakes and brake cooling ducts, and a new front splitter profile complete the improved front end look.

At the back, the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 gets a new lip spoiler on the roof wing, larger rear diffuser and large diameter quad exhaust. The diffuser and exhaust are finished in satin black. A new rear bumper puts the finishing touch on the revised exterior aesthetics.

Under the hood of the DBX707 is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that is paired with a nine-speed wet-clutch automatic transmission. Shifts are smooth and power is immediate, and comes with a complementary roar from the rear that is the stuff that makes eco-warriors cringe.

The powertrain delivers 697 horsepower (hp) and 663 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque, upgrades of 154 hp and 147 lb-ft. It can move from zero to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds, faster than some smaller Porsches.

Though the roads of Sardinia aren't a place where the pedal can be put down too much, it is an island that tests the drive dynamics to the maximum as one winds through crumbling towns that are barely blips on a map.

Unlike the traditional DBX, which gives arms and hips a workout when heading through La Honda, California, the DBX707's supremely curvy drive through northeastern Sardinia only provided stimulation in the best ways with the car's chassis and improved electronic limited slip differential better tuned to take on the turns and its carbon ceramic brakes better able to handle quick slowdowns.

The DBX707 wears 22-inch wheels as standard with 23-inch alloys offered, delivering a more dynamic response. Combined with the chassis, the available wheels and corresponding tires helped steady the SUV in tight spaces where the slightest steering maneuver misstep could backfire.

The interior of the DBX707 is from the usual DBX playbook, but has been revised to include drive mode selection switches (hallelujah), which means that drivers no longer have to dive into the infotainment system to put the car into Sport+ or any other mode. A driver can also control the sound out the exhaust without needing to be in Sport mode.

Sport seats are fitted standard on the model and are comfortable enough for a full day behind the wheel - a feature most sports seats cannot boast. Buyers can change those out to Comfort seats for a no-cost upgrade.

Three interior materials schemes are available, all coming with the Aston Martin logo embroidered in the headrests. The choices are suitably plush and sporty. Buyers can add bright chrome and carbon fiber as accent options.

For buyers that don't think that's fancy or customized enough, Q by Aston Martin can push the DBX707 design to a new level, delivering a more personalized vehicle.

The DBX707's biggest failings is its in-car technology, though it has improved over the last few years. In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that is perfectly lovely. Move over to the 10.2-inch infotainment screen, however, and it's a whole different story.

The infotainment system is an old version of Mercedes Command technology, complete with navigation that is basically indecipherable while on the go, and dated graphics. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay is available and it takes care of a world of issues, especially when using Google Maps.

With a starting price of $235,086, the DBX707 isn't cheap - $50,000 more than the traditional DBX. But, it's a far better model to buy.

The DBX707 isn't brash or sassy. It's restrained and bold, and strong and sophisticated. Most importantly, it's beyond competent and one-ups the competition on package appeal. It's the right move at the right time for Aston Martin.

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