New Aston Martin Vantage vs Ferrari Roma vs Porsche 911 Turbo S | What's the best sports car?

[@Drifty325i]

Aston looks the best for sure, engine note is best too. Roma is a stunner. All so close, obviously we know it’s hard to beat the Porsche. Hard choice!

[@Edgycoo]

I gotta be honest, Iv never considered buying a porsche when I got my astons. I dont think there is much cross over as far appeal or performance and by that I mean, my astons appealed a heap more, but they are not anywhere near as strong a performer as a porsche turbo.

[@mafazrahman1900]

Roma does not look like the understand wow kind all Ferraris usually did

[@CarelessGamer15]

The new Aston is gorgeous! The One 77 front and the near concept car rear make it look so muscular and yet futuristic!

[@paultucker1272]

Normally a car with looks as beautiful as the Roma would be enough for it to be my pick........but the Aston Martin looks even better externally AND internally and that engine note is glorious. So, the Vantage for me please!

[@sportreviewhd4767]

Like Aston is back to its best honestly

[@paulbird1808]

Couldn't agree more!!

[@shariqahmed5637]

The Aston looks and sounds stunning. I would it as my #1 choice.

[@davidh.8798]

I'm taking the Aston all day, primarily based on the looks, but I'm cool with that.

[@mohammeds9915]

Anything that looks like the original F Type, is a winner, and that would be the Vantage.

[@ph8077]

The Roma has quite a few stolen styling cues too.

[@y0u5uf]

I was subscribed to Autocar for Years.. Loved reading the mags. My fav toilet companion. These videos are really good too. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@marty1035]

Toilet companion? Cant you afford toilet tissue?

[@ph8077]

My favourite toilet companion is The Guardian...thoroughly absorbent!

[@paulbird1808]

Thanks for the lovely image, guys?!!

[@gingerb36]

For looks it’s the Aston, for general all year round use it’s the Porsche

[@NA-dg3jx]

Don’t understand the obsession with track testing cars, much rather a sensible road test, probably just a nice day out for the journalists

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

Are you really in the market for these kinds of cars if you don't plan to take them to a track or somewhere where you can properly unleash them at least on the odd occasion?

[@MrPowertech]

🙏👌

[@bcraftin7846]

I respect how you feel but we tune in with these high-performing exotic cars to see what they handle like….What’s the 0 to 60…how they feel on the track? They are sports cars right? Let’s see some f***king sports!!! Autocar always test the proper cars, but they never test them in the proper manner. That’s just my opinion. Boring!!!

100%. I have never tracked a car and have only been on one driving experience on a track. Pointless for 95% of drivers.

[@pereldh5741]

A track test puts any car to the test so that you wont have to. It could be a emergancy situatuon, avoiding a crash etc. Also it discovers the general amount of effort the maker has put into the car you’re buying in a much clearer way than you’d notice just driving slow, or even worse, standing still in a car park.

[@mpsakshaypradhan8499]

Watching autocar test drives and the way they narrate things ,every aspect of it , very discerning and honest feedback ..love the way they go about their drive-analysis dispassionately ..

[@JarretLaMark]

Being in the USA, I would want the Aston Martin, by far. You just don't see them here, and it is a beautiful looking car.

[@sutats]

The Aston Martin is lovely. Unsure why the British car manufacturing industry is in a perpetual struggle to survive.

[@os6219]

Well it’s not anymore, since AM has eventually shouldered with AMG/MB for good as they are stakeholders.

[@EmetYAHU]

Because of NEVER changing the basic shape & design. Boring AF 😅

[@Fioravanti.80]

Simple. If they engineered their own engines, instead of relying on a crate AMG, I suspect it would sell more.

[@TheImperfectGuy]

​​@@Fioravanti.80the V12s are their own, but they sell that for the price of 2 Vantages

[@Houston1863]

Excellent, entertaining assessment of three of the most desirable sports cars around. I first came to notice Matt Prior when he tested the 991.2 Carrera 4 GTS, all of 7 years ago. If you're on this side of the pond, indeed any side, IMHO nobody does it better. With respect to cars, my heart is sold on Stuttgart.

[@m0601168]

The depreciation on a 2 year old Roma (120-130k with good options) with the complimentary 7 year free servicing makes it a no brainer compared to the rest

[@oliverprice7039]

Second hand you could potentially pick up a DBS for similar, that's an interesting comparison as that's an older, but hugely characterful 700bhp supercar v a roma, both designed for longtrips. That's a tough one!

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

True but you can afford to shop around with more options if you're buying used.

[@oliverprice7039]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks how so?

[@stillsearching1284]

​@oliverprice7039 I haven't seen DBSs priced that low, but if they are at that price point, then it's definitely a better pick than a Roma.

[@teabagtowers3823]

​​@@oliverprice7039 Problem is with the old DBS is it has the old Aston Martin interior and Mercedes equipment. Which is ageing like milk and made it look 10 years out of date even when it came out. For 120k you could pick up a Roma or a Turbo S with Turbo S at least being able to be used every day and able to disappear from the DBS if road conditions are anything other than bone dry.

[@mikelyon5595]

Turbo S all day, any day!

[@MbTrojansurgeon]

Vantage is the one for me…all brilliant though!! Bravo!

[@lmc333]

Forza Ferrari AM are beautiful but this one is a bit too Brawny. Porsche is Porsche and victim of its own success and is found everywhere... I typically would pick the Porsche, But in this trio, my choice is the Elegant Roma

[@neilbenton1152]

This vantage is the dogs dangling bits I the want is very strong for this beautiful Aston ❤

[@Fioravanti.80]

Tricky. A car that demonstrates technical ability, as well as emotional connection would be the one for me, so the Roma makes sense as the winner.

[@clyde5273]

For me its the Ferrari Roma all day long, best looking and the best GT (that doesn’t necessarily mean its the best sports car)

[@I999-g2s]

Brings back memories of that 1979 Car magazine article - AM Vantage vs Ferrari Boxer vs 911 Turbo.

[@51madmitch]

Roma is stunning and its own interior !!! As has the Aston, Porsche looks great with the same interior most 911’s have, not different enough, as that’s what you will see most of the time as the driver, Roma for me.

[@CT37BN]

There's a sense of imbalance with the Aston Martin's enormous fascia/grille in comparison to the rest of it's bodywork. The Porsche also looks very very wide. Ferrari's just about right in it's proportion.

[@Vldpchv]

Porsche Turbo S is the best without any doubt with full respect to Aston Mercedes and Roma

[@carmasterz9733]

The development of Matt Prior over the years as a presenter is just remarkable. On pair with Steve Sutcliffe, Dan Prosser and Bovingdon now.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

The Ferrari looks the best and sounds the best. The Porsche would be the best to live with every day. The Aston will depreciate like mad and lose you lots of money.

[@s.gharavi1614]

Sports cars are supposed to depreciate. That's why used 911s are such a rip off.

[@chrisbouris3699]

AND THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE A PROPER PRESENTATION.... Congratulations Matt. You - both you and AUTOCAR - have come to be the go-to British car magazine when someone really wants to get some information without worrying about you being biased. Especially when a British car is in the comparison. Congrats again

[@marzgrab]

A decision made really with the help of where one lives! More rain and snow - Porsche, sunny open countryside - Aston, Hills and twists with lots of good weather - Roma. All wonderful everyday sports cars , we are spoilt for choice 😁👌

[@ptothet7664]

noting compares to the spirit of a FERRARI.

[@dusandestanovic5884]

The Roma is so seductive.

[@davidw5814]

Great review 👍 Nearing retirement I was finally in in a position to buy a 'special' car in 2020 and purchased a Porsche 992. It was a great car, but unfortunately I'd fallen in love with the Roma from the moment I first saw one! I took the plunge and ordered a Roma and have now had it for 18 Months and have done 7000 miles ( mainly in Europe), it's been brilliant. I liked the look of the DB12 when it was launched and took a test drive, to me it felt big and brash compared to the Roma. I also like the Vantage but there is something about Aston Martin that just doesn't fit with me, maybe it's the James Bond / Lawrence Stroll connection!!!

[@rogerpayne5336]

For me : Aston - Porsche - Ferrari

[@MarcSob22]

I take the Roma easy, already tested a few times, love that car, and is gorgeous!

[@keithlivingstone2525]

Such a great seller that Ferrari have stopped production and apparently there’s over 100 secondhand ones for sale in the U.K. alone.

[@colinhare4722]

Awkward looks IMHO. Aston every day

[@marty8608]

The Roma was never intended to have a long production run. I believe the idea is more models built in smaller quantities to maintain a level of scarcity for each.

[@MichaelLaing71]

I am not sure I am a big fan of Aston Martin's current design direction. It's all one massive grill at the front, and I think this just looks a bit too much like the One-77. I wish Aston had followed down the path of the DB-10 (which ironically looks more like the Roma), as that was a really gorgeous looking Aston and I think recent Aston's have lost that.

[@kornonacob]

Ferrari is my favourite

[@travgusmc]

I could listen to this guy describe cars all day and night. In fact, making a sleep playlist rn. Like if Matt Watson and an engineering professor hbabyn old, bald, bearded man baby.

[@garyaustin2121]

My favourite car journalist by far💯

[@kristian6622]

Vantage for me!

[@mgmarrison]

600+ horsepower is too much to be enjoyed on UK roads. The sections where Matt put his foot down (up to the speed limit) just demonstrate that. I’d have an original 4.3ltr Vantage (and pocket the change 😅)

[@swansmeister]

What you mean is you can't afford this and are jealous, ok got it.

[@mgmarrison]

@@swansmeister your reply is a little odd in my view. I don’t think it’d be a huge shock to most people that I can’t afford a circa £150k+ sports car… but I also know I’m not alone on that front. What I can say is if I had the money, I wouldn’t buy any of them. Jealously didn’t come to mind at any stage while watching the video. I would genuinely rather have the original car - not least because I think it’s one of the best looking Astons ever built 👍

[@christophermay1229]

Well reviewed as ever Matt, good work

[@GamesBond.007]

The name's Martin. Aston Martin.

[@Mr16bit]

Finally a motoring journalist acknowledging that 4wd gives traction and not grip. 🎉🎉

[@mcc5901]

When Aston does the elegant and smooth driving machine bit, the motoring journalists choose the extreme Ferrari, and when Aston does the extreme thing then the motoring journalists choose the elegant and smooth driving Ferrari. Make your mind up guys what you prefer in a sports car…

[@huss03]

@mcc5901 It's the WAY that Ferrari does the highly responsive driver's-car thing. They've got that formula so perfected and they just have their own feel. When other's try to do it they can't quite nail it the way Ferrari does.

[@mcc5901]

@@huss03 But in the video he was saying the Aston was the more responsive feeling car and this time the Ferrari went for the typically sleek looks of an Aston. You couldn’t have had a more Aston-like Ferrari

[@huss03]

@@mcc5901 Watch it again. He talks about the Ferrari feeling more "agile". This is what Ferrari does best...feeling super go-kart like yet still having a beautifully soft ride. The Aston tries to achieve this feeling of agility by being more hardcore. But "hardcore" and agility are not precisely the same things.

[@mcc5901]

@@huss03 True

[@Hornbaek-07]

Good video with good insights and a nice difference to all those KZbinr reviews.

[@vindevhunta4905]

Nice line up I’d have em all ❤ Yellow-Roma Blue-aston Chalk-911

[@Big_Bruh]

Almost 130 years is impressive and no small feat, but to think that Mercedes has been around longer and still thriving is insane🤯

[@mahmoudghoneim8004]

Roma design is timeless that you can accept any shortcomings in other areas.

[@MuppetsSh0w]

Timeless? It has strips for both front and rear lights. Just like every damn budget crossover coming out these days. It will age like milk.

[@hallga007]

The Aston is special, but the dog's dinner rear end.., No! And compared with the Roma, well........

[@FANODuma]

The Aston is simply Astonishing!

[@shariqahmed5637]

Matt is the best in the business!

[@eddieconroy212]

Lottery garage, I would go for the Aston.

[@borjastick]

You didn't mark down the Roma for its stupid haptic controls whereas you did mark up the Aston for its wonderfully engineered and weighted controls. I am due to win the Euromillions lotto tomorrow night and would definitely take a look at these three plus while I'm at the Aston shop the DB12 volante.

[@danr9554]

I hear and read loads of comments (mostly from journalists) about the haptic controls. I’ve had my Roma for just over a year from new as a daily drive and have had no issues whatsoever with the haptics, and not once have touched something inadvertently while using the indicators, lights or windscreen wipers.

[@refuztosay9454]

Also a note - that in the USA you can’t actually buy a new 911 turbo. Those are all whored out to speculators who, after abusing them for a few hundred miles, flip them back to the dealer - who then marks them up by $50,000 and sells them as lightly used certified. Porsche has adopted the Rolex business model in order to fleece the customer and boost their revenues to try and make up for losses on their EV products. I’ve bought new Porsches since 1984 and now have given up on the brand. Thus the look at Aston et al.

[@WestCoastSupercarsandClassics]

Based on depreciation, you'd have to stick with the Ferrari or Porsche; on looks, the Aston; on engines, it's a tie between the Porsche and Aston. I love the Roma in person, it really feels more like a sports car than a supercar Most of us can't afford these cars anyway, so maybe the Aston wins again as it'll depreciate more and maybe we can afford one after all!!

[@norwegianzound]

In the Aston and Ferrari you are in exotica.

[@michaelsouthin160]

A great honest review. Well done. I agree with the view and conclusion. Perhaps the racing history and romance of the name helps the Ferrari s and it is a very pretty car with a great interior. But none are bad.

[@dammyo6010]

Digital gauge clusters are a pox on automotive interiors!

[@DrPittenstein]

Roma interior lets it down at this price level so I would pick the Aston Vantage.

[@markdschedler]

What a pleasure to watch your video! You are highly competent but you’re not impressed with yourself. You have a good voice and you speak the language extremely well. You also speak a version of British like nothing from our USA. The production compliments your performance well. It doesn’t compete with hi. Together you gave me the sense I was having a dream morning in the British countryside with three of the best cars in their class and one of the best people to give me a perspective on appreciating them. I love my Boxster S enough that my second sports car doesn’t have to be a 911. The Aston is now, to me, an expression of Lawrence Stroll; a scared kid with no empathy who tries to steal every room. The Ferrari is the beautiful and talented woman that is comfortable in the back of the room; who is great conversation and who Stroll only sees as someone to bluff and own. I’ll take her with a soft top, please.

[@HaseleySquad]

I bought a Roma 18mths ago because the AMV at that time could not compete. It definitely does now! That's a first world positive problem making a decision between those two!

[@JamesDare-w9l]

Never understand when it's a cheap option people don't get the air intakes colour coded on the turbo. It makes it look so much better

[@AndrewClark4MarkRacing]

Great to have an objective view from Autocar reknown for Porsche bias from dewy eyed young car journalists…but this is spot on & well said 😎

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Great review… 👍😊

[@motorfab7014]

Tre auto favolose La Roma il cocktail migliore 😍

[@cuprashoe]

Head says 911, heart says the Ferrari or Aston

[@almac9203]

The bank manager says get a second hand 3 series and stop daydreaming 😂

[@u.a.nugroho]

@@almac9203 from the 90's

[@TheImperfectGuy]

​@@u.a.nugrohoNot a fan of E36 BMW 3 series interior recycling themselves these days

[@michaelmcdonald9847]

I’m sure the Porsche wins over the brain, but my heart would go with one of the others. Porsches are everywhere now and people just won’t shut up about them. The cool factor isn’t what it used to be

[@Carrera-gp9od]

Yep , the driving factor is very much still there though .

[@gaycha6589]

Everywhere? Lol.

[@JamesPink-j2k]

Great review Matt, thanks!

[@valkyrievillage3673]

The Aston looks better in my opinion

[@Gman333Xferrari]

Ferrari Roma all day, unique beautiful design. Aston and Porsche look like any other Aston or Porsche from the last 30 years.

[@MrOrtmeier]

Fantastic test. Thank you. Three great cars. The Aston wins on looks, for me, and you can’t go wrong with a Mercedes engine. The interior also looks very comfortable. They’ve done a great job. Ferrari is the drivers car but I hate huge screens in cars. And the Porsche is perfect. Beautiful design, fast, durable engine, thumping performance and probably best build quality. Best interior as well.. My preference would be: Porsche, Aston Martin and third Roma.

[@alexblag18]

Aston for me. No question

[@MathewEnticott]

As good as the Aston looks….in real life up close…..it’s even better. The other two don’t even come close.

[@lionking5594]

but please haha, it has a giant grill which would be fine to cook meat on it

[@drraft106]

More like this please.

[@domenicocarella2625]

Tre fantastiche automobili ovviamente...anche io preferisco la Ferrari Roma che ha sicuramente un punto molto importante a suo favore: è una Ferrari che fino a qualche anno fa non esisteva. La Aston Martin e la Porsche sono "migliorie o elaborazioni" di progetti, in un certo senso, già esistenti !!! Grazie Autocar per il vostro lavoro.

[@TheBTG88]

At the prices of these cars, no shortcomings should be ‘excused’.

[@santana9537]

Aston all day long 😍😍😍

[@TheKingkingg]

All awesome and I would love to drive all, but I would buy Aston Martin....my underrated 2022 NSX does 2.7 seconds to 60mph and I do 2.5 few times.

[@lucaconti2460]

Aston is the most beautiful, for sure

[@vicsh4581]

My heart says Aston👍

[@MRVSKIN]

In top spot for me. It’s the Aston Martin. In a close second is the Turbo S and then Last is the Roma. Its infotainment is an absolute nightmare and styling just does not hit the spot at all. Yes its elegant but its not beautiful

[@lionking5594]

However, the Aston one is nice and has a gigantic grill that would be good for cooking meat on?

[@desmondmitchell5387]

I never thought I’d choose an Aston over a Ferrari. The Aston is the one for me!

[@jak493]

I would be happy with either car, could have added an amg gt63 for good measure. I think the Aston looks stunning and its so much wider than the other two. The Porsche looks dull but is probably the best overall daily I would guess with the space behind the seats. I wish I could actually be in a position to pick one!

[@ariescustom]

The previous Vantage had a nicer front end, shame they pussied out on that. Still looks great from behind and the interior is an improvement. I'd have the Porsche though, because quality.

[@dappergent9422]

Ferrari Roma Price £185,975 and they can't even get the number plate straight. Seriously??

[@edward92128]

I think the owner has put that on it. It looks like an eBay purchase given the spaces are off

[@dammyo6010]

It would easily be the Aston for me.

[@kevinmagee5400]

The Porsche interior is nice enough, nothing necessarily wrong with it. But it’s the least special out the 3. I’d go with the new Aston, but the Roma is also lovely.

[@hpman911]

Also that particular interior is an expensive option from the standard spec in the UK market. Not sure about elsewhere?!

[@DavidDatura]

That big, fat, ugly and plasticky central screen in the Roma just ruins the car for me. What were Ferrari thinking? It just spoils the otherwise elegant interior.

[@robf5374]

I drove the Roma around Millbrook. Did nothing for me, yes it grips and goes but left me cold. The tablet is hideous too. For a car to do 5000 miles or more a year it would be the 911, they just work so well. For a nice day out, the Aston has it.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Would love to test drive all three cars,then pick,but as for looks ,aston all the way😊

[@caprica8]

I’ll take a Roma spider, thanks.

[@IanMacLeansnv]

I watch a lot of car videos and I am still baffled by the question of Two Wheel versus four-wheel drive. "Not necessarily more grip but more traction." What the hell!?!? I would have thought I would have seen track day tests between four versus two for Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Etc. The four-wheel drive adds weight but gives better traction, how does this play out in laptimes? I have no idea, and I watch a lot of car videos.

[@TimeisReel]

(1)-911 (2)-Aston Martin (3)- Ferrari

[@ericcarabetta1161]

The vertical infotainment screen in the Ferrari makes me want to vomit. It ruins the entire car.

[@briansteele2723]

The owner of the Roma must be an engineer with the Kai Zen reg plate 😎

[@marty1035]

The Aston interior quality is so good, except I did notice.......and there it is.

[@shaneslad]

Anyone think the Aston’s styling is too fussy? Previous Aston’s used to be timelessly beautiful, which the Roma and the Turbo S still are (I think).

[@gaycha6589]

Yes it is rather too fussy in the details. The profile and proportions are spot on though.

[@craigyirush3492]

Once again, Matt shows how to review a car intelligently.

[@sugarsaint]

Aston all day just too good looking, sounding

[@mishumihai223]

Two great, beautiful cars, and a fast Beetle.

[@EmetYAHU]

Not interested in anything front engined at this point in my life. Boring & anemic handling dynamics (wheel spin off the line) and tedious re-hashed Aston design at an OUTRAGEOUS $300K+ price-point. Absolutely no thanks 😂

[@benjameshodges]

Sound is much better 👍