Car Statistics: Aston Martin - Rapide  Series 10 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

Fantastic from most angles, slightly awkward from others: it's a personal judgement especially with an emotive car just as this, but the Rapide is slightly more impressive through sheer proportion and beautiful detailing than it is through its overall shape. Inside though, it really has the wow factor with gorgeous shapes and rich textures.

Handling (5 stars)

Aston Martin has waved something of a magic wand over this big car and produced a giant four-door that is very enjoyable to drive. It's an enthusiastic car; willing you on with keen reactions and a loud, bark of an exhaust note. The steering in particular is very good with plenty of feedback, and the overall balance of the chassis is faithful yet entertaining.

Comfort (4 stars)

Aston Martin has done a very good job here to combine the sporting abilities of this car with a ride and refinement package that genuinely impresses. Although the Rapide has a sporting firmness to the way in which it deals with potholes and bumps, it also soaks them up nicely and keeps the cabin attitude flat. As such, it's a car that's fun to be driven in, as well as to drive.

Quality (4 stars)

Maybe it has something to do with being built in Austria; more likely it's to do with the numerous engineering changes Aston Martin has introduced with this car - either way the Rapide feels like the best built car yet in the modern era of the company. Squeaks and rattles were absent from the test car, so you'd hope this feeling of solidity would translate into longer-term reliability - not an Aston Martin strong point in recent years.

Performance (4 stars)

It says a lot about the astronomical performance we've come to expect from cars in this price bracket that the Rapide is fast, but not staggeringly so. You'd think that a 5.9 litre V12 would conquer all before it, but 469bhp powering 2 tonnes is nothing special in the context of some rivals in today's market place. Nevertheless, the big V12 has plenty of character, and its blend of pulling power and outright speed is more than satisfactory here.

Roominess (3 stars)

Perhaps it's because of the aluminium chassis, or maybe it's in order to keep the styling as they wanted it, but Aston Martin has compromised the accommodation package in the rear of the car. Those of average height will be ok, but anyone taller would not want to go on a long journey. Those sitting in the front get a laidback but very comfortable cabin ambience.

Costs (2 stars)

Realistically, the best economy you can expect from a Rapide is an MPG figure somewhere in the low 20s when cruising on a light throttle. At all other times that figure is likely to drop, and should you drive the car hard you'll be looking at single figures. Servicing, tax and purchase price are all considerable: this is not a car for those watching their budget.

Value (3 stars)

This Aston requires you to pay dearly for a car that only seats four in slightly compromised comfort. That's one way of looking at it, with the Rapide costing much more than conventional super saloon choices. However, it does undercut similar offerings from Ferrari and AMG, while offering its own unique experience.

Stereo (3 stars)

It's a thumbs up for the Bang and Olufsen sound system with its integrated iPod connector and USB port, as well as the optional twin screen DVD system for the rear seat passengers. The sat nav system, borrowed from Volvo years ago, is showing its age alongside modern systems from rivals, and isn't helped by a fiddly input system.

Other

Overall Rating (4 stars)