Introduction to the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin significantly raised the bar for its Vantage coupe when it was overhauled in 2024 and, while it was no shock that a new Vantage Roadster swiftly followed it, it may come as a surprise that Aston Martin is bullishly claiming that it's just as driver-focused as the hard-top model. Traditionally, convertibles are seen as the 'softer' alternative, but not this time. We put that theory to the test in the new Roadster for a day on the sweeping mountain roads of Austria and Germany.
Pros & Cons of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
Pros: Savage performance, stunning looks, serious chassis
Cons: We don't have the weather or roads for it
Exterior & Design of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
• Sleek soft-top roof looks great
• Four styles of 21-inch wheels
• Proper aerodynamic diffuser retained
The Vantage is a spectacular looking car as a coupe, more so in the metal than most pictures can convey. It's muscular and menacing, while the integrated aerodynamic diffuser at the back and splitter at the front give it more than a touch of motorsport-like purposefulness.
Attractively, the Vantage Roadster retains all of that and, while the effect is slightly softened by the convertible top, it also looks somehow lower and wider, enhancing the stance somewhat.
It's actually no wider than the coupe, and the stats say the Vantage is 10mm taller. For reference, the open-topped car's dimensions are:
Length: 4,495mm
Width: 2,045mm (door mirrors folded)
Height: 1,285mm
Wheelbase: 2,705mm
We love how the roof is so compact that it doesn't impinge on the lines of the car when it's folded, and the rear flows down from it to the Vantage's distinctive up-kicked tail. Within that deck are strakes that “stretch” the bodywork according to its designer.
Neatly integrated behind the two-seat cabin are the two rollbars with a small fixed-glass wind deflector between them.
As ever in an Aston Martin, there's a lot of customisation available to the Vantage Roadster buyer. There are four different design of 21-inch wheels, for example, seven different colours for the brake calipers and no less than 21 'standard' paint colours to choose from. The roof can be had in black, red, blue or black and silver.
Interior, Practicality, Tech & Comfort of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
• Snug two-seat cabin
• Boot holds 200 litres
• Mix of touchscreen and physical controls
Pop the handle and the sense of occasion begins with the elegant sweep of the door. It's not a new thing - Aston has used this subtle 'swan wing' idea since the DB9 - but it's remarkably effective without being so theatrical it draws crowds. It is for the owner.
And the specialness continues when you sit in. Even with the roof down, it's impossible to ignore the smell of high-quality leather upholstery. Aston Martin has long been a master of crafting interiors that feel and look good, and the Vantage Roadster continues that tradition.
Aston hasn't always led the way when it comes to interior technology, but it took a big step in the right direction in 2023 when it launched its own digital architecture in the DB12, a system that has since been carried over to the Vantage, and now the Roadster.
Indeed, in time for the launch of the open-topped Vantage, Aston Martin has updated the graphics of the slick digital instruments. As you'd hope, you can choose from several layouts, and the appearance alters anyway depending on driving mode.
In the middle of the car is a fully featured 10.25-inch touchscreen. Its menu system and responsiveness are perfectly good, though we expect most owners will hook it up to their smartphones and use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in any case.
Thankfully, Aston didn't use the adoption of a modern digital interface as an excuse to get rid of physical controls. Instead, it enhanced the sense of quality by engineering robust and tactile switchgear for the centre console to complement the touchscreen.
Taking pride of place in the middle is a large circular engine-start button. Its satisfyingly chunky surround can be twisted to select the driving mode (or alter the level of traction control required - more on that below), while drive selection itself is done via a knurled, metallic nub behind. An owner will never tire of its precise action.
Neither will they shy away from making gratuitous tweaks to the cabin temperature or stereo volume, as this is all done via metallic rollers with knurled, textured surfaces. We can't overstate how delighted we are to see such things in an automotive world gone mad for putting everything on the touchscreen.
There are loads of other buttons between the front seats for the various sub-systems, including quick access to turning the sports exhaust on and off, or altering the damping. Along with a large button marked “MANUAL” to allow the driver to use the gorgeous big gear paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. It's a little too thick-rimmed for my liking, but is a good size and not too far off perfectly circular.
All of this is as per the Vantage coupe, except for the new button that operates the roof. It opens or closes in a scant 6.8 seconds - according to Aston Martin - using that button at speeds of up to 50km/h or, for more theatre, from the key fob when you're outside the car. It's very slick.
Unsurprisingly, the need to neatly stow the folded roof impinges on the Roadster's practicality, and the end result is a boot that's quite a bit smaller than the coupe's, at 200 litres in capacity (the coupe manages up to 346 litres of luggage). That's adequate for the likely needs of the owner, though they'll find the cabin a bit short on oddments space.
No doubt they'll be more impressed with the wide range of electric adjustment in the steering wheel and driver's seat. And with the standard-fit, 390-watt, 11-speaker sound system. The Bowers & Wilkins upgrade may be tempting were it not for the V8 engine noises on tap.
Performance of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
• Only 60kg heavier than the Vantage coupe
• Feels little different on the road
• Serious performance thanks to twin-turbo V8
Without wishing to spoil the surprise, we can confirm that the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is every bit as raucous and savage as the coupe, with no perceptible drop in performance or focus.
The twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces the same 665hp and monster 800Nm of torque as in the coupe, making for blistering acceleration seemingly any time you want it, though you don't technically need to go up and down through the gearbox to maintain an indecent pace. And anyway, there's as much enjoyment to be had from the noise emanating from the quad exhaust outlets as there is the sensation of speed.
Obviously, with the roof down, you're more exposed to the theatrics of the exhaust, making the experience even more visceral. This is reason enough to buy the roadster over the coupe. Apparently, there's a button on the dashboard that can be used to quieten down the exhaust, but we suspect that'll not get much use.
Driving modes include Wet, Sport, Sport+, Track and the customisable Individual option. The dynamic stability control (DSC) system operates independently and includes a middle level, as well as fully off mode. Hold down the button to activate that and then you can alter the level of traction control using the central rotary control.
We experimented a little more with that when we tested the coupe last year, within the safe confines of a race circuit, but it didn't seem appropriate to do so on the public road in the Roadster, especially as the temperatures were low and conditions varied considerably.
Out of tight hairpins on a wet road, traction was clearly the limiting factor, but the bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 AML tyres dug in well and the default traction setting proved quick-thinking and effective.
The rear end's movements were well telegraphed in those moments - a little wiggle here and there, but always with fair warning. It took a little circumspection to keep things neat, but we wouldn't call it a nervous chassis either. It certainly holds your attention.
There's so much torque produced by the V8 that it's very easy to provoke the rear end even when the road is dry, and the electronically controlled rear differential is only too happy to play ball if you want to.
Making it easy to quickly react is steering that is ultra direct and completely slack-free, offering excellent feedback through the wheel. It's a setup that rewards total concentration, as even minor inputs produce instant reactions - this isn't a car you drive lazily.
The ZF-sourced, eight-speed gearbox itself is impressively responsive. According to Aston Martin, the team deliberately calibrated it to emphasise the gear shifts, so they feel like events in themselves - and it shows. Every gear change is crisp, especially in manual mode. Left to its own devices, the transmission is smooth and well-behaved, and the engine even incorporates a stop-start system in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption and emissions (spitting in the Atlantic to make it wet is probably as effective...).
In Sport+ and Track modes, the exhaust really comes alive, with a louder overrun and a harder-edged soundtrack that's deeply addictive. The throttle response in Track is particularly sharp, making the whole car feel on edge. Not ideal for dealing with stop-start traffic, but glorious on the open road.
The ride, controlled by adjustable Bilstein DTX dampers, is firmly set up, but just about acceptable on smoother tarmac. On good roads, it was possible to try the Track mode without being bounced out of the seat, though over mid-corner bumps, the rear axle can skip slightly off line. For most Irish roads, Track mode would be overkill - but there's no mistaking the Vantage for anything other than a proper sports car.
Perhaps most addictive of all is the sound and theatre of the powertrain. Even when you're just ambling through town, it feels like an occasion.
It says a lot about the character of the Vantage Roadster that we've barely mentioned the roof and what it's like to drive with it up and down. If you keep the side windows raised, the cabin is bluster free up to quite high speeds, while the heater/heated seats/heated steering wheel work well to keep you warm even when it's very cold outside.
A drizzle or light rain aren't noticed on the move, but if you need to slow down and start feeling the moisture in the cabin, the roof rises so quickly - and at up to 50km/h, remember - that it's no chore to decide to do that at a moment's notice.
Roof up, the Roadster isn't quite as snug and isolated from the outside world as the coupe is, but it's pretty cosy all the same.
Running Costs of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
• Don't ask about running costs...
• Good luck achieving official fuel economy
• You can extend the warranty
Overall, the Vantage Roadster entails high running costs, in line with expectations for vehicles in this segment.
Its combined fuel consumption figure is 12.3 litres/100 km with CO₂ emissions of 279g/km. The latter level places it firmly in the highest motor tax band, resulting in an annual fee of €2,400.
Insurance premiums for high-performance vehicles like the Vantage are substantial. While specific costs vary, comparable models often incur annual premiums exceeding €5,000, influenced by factors such as driver profile and location.
Servicing won't be cheap, either, of course. Aston suggests a service every 16,000km or each year, whichever comes first. It'll be the latter for the vast majority of owners.
Aston Martin provides a standard three-year unlimited mileage warranty, complemented by a 10-year anti-perforation corrosion warranty. Extended warranty options are available in 12- or 24-month increments, offering continued coverage beyond the initial term, for a price.
Irish Pricing & Rivals of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
• Only one Aston dealer on island of Ireland
• Expect imported price north of €450,000
• You'll be tempted by 'Q' customisation
The only Aston Martin outlet on the island of Ireland is Charles Hurst Aston Martin in Belfast, so Irish buyers will have to import one. Charles Hurst is no stranger to such things and should help anyone south of the border through the process.
No car is likely to come from the factory in standard format, such is the high level of personalisation available, but we'd suggest a minimum price in and around €460,000 registered on Irish plates.
It'll be quite a bit more if you're tempted by the services of 'Q by Aston Martin' - as succinctly put by the company itself: “Like all Aston Martin models, Vantage customers can explore endless bespoke and customisation possibilities via the Q by Aston Martin personalisation service.
“Enlisting the skills of Q's designers and crafts people, customers take an unforgettable personal commissioning journey that can encompass everything from a single small distinguishing detail to full-scale engineering and production of entirely bespoke components to create a true one-off.”
Verdict - Should You Buy the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster?
On the face of it, the Irish climate is not suited to owning an Aston Vantage Roadster, as it's the kind of car you'd want to drive roof down in all the time. But it's not bad with it up. And of course, few buyers would rely on the Vantage Roadster as their only car, so as something that's brought out for good weather or special trips, it matters little whether it's a convertible or not. If we can rationalise it, then I'm sure those in the market for such a treat of a car can too.
FAQs About the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
Is there an all-wheel-drive Vantage?
No. All versions of the Vantage are rear-wheel drive only and will always remain so. The DBX SUV is the only all-wheel-drive Aston Martin on sale.
Would you have a Roadster over a Vantage coupe?
I reckon I would. For all intents and purposes, it drives the same as the coupe yet has the added dimension and glamour of the folding roof. The only reasons to go for the coupe over the Roadster is because you prefer its looks, the security of a hard top or you want to bring it on track every now and then. Obviously, Irish weather isn't often convertible-friendly, but this is the kind of car you take out for special days in the sun rather than one you drive every day in any case.
Want to know more about the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster?
Is there anything else you'd like to know about the Vantage Roadster? Or anything you feel we haven't covered here? Then just head over to our Ask Us Anything section and, well, ask us anything.
