2016 Aston Martin Rapide Reviews, Pricing & Specs

At once handsome, powerful, and luxurious, the 2016 Aston Martin Rapide nevertheless comes up a bit short on practicality. If, however,...

At once handsome, powerful, and luxurious, the 2016 Aston Martin Rapide nevertheless comes up a bit short on practicality. If, however, you're at least as interested in the actual driving as you are in your destination, this British-made 4-passenger midsize premium sports sedan should fit the bill.

The Rapide comes in a single trim, the S, but that “S” speaks volumes. This plush rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sports sedan boasts a 5.9-liter V12 powerplant that puts out 552 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque under the direction of the recently introduced 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Look for a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds from the V12, along with a top speed of 203 mph. Mileage figures come in at 14 mpg city/22 highway/17 combined.

The standard Bilstein 3-mode suspension damping system, featuring Normal, Sport, and Track settings, allows the Rapide S to out-handle most rivals. The suspension tuning may, however, be a little too stiff for those in search of a more well-cushioned ride.

The 2016 Rapide S is essentially unchanged from last year’s version, except for the debut of the distinctive (though hardly state-of-the-art) AMi II touch-module infotainment system that boasts real-time vehicle performance data while also cleaning up the center stack.

Returning exterior features include 20-inch painted alloy wheels, keyless entry, and a limited-slip differential, with premium leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, full power accessories, and memory for driver settings all coming standard in the cabin. Other features include cruise control, a telescoping and tilting steering wheel, a remote garage door opener, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and front and rear automatic climate control.

The debuting AMi II infotainment system interfaces Bluetooth hands-free calling, GPS navigation, and a 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen premium stereo with 15 speakers, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio input.

Options for the 2016 Rapide, meanwhile, include upgraded 20-inch wheels, rear-seat DVD entertainment, upgraded stitching for the premium leather upholstery, carbon fiber exterior accents (with the Carbon Exterior Pack), a piano black interior trim package, and red and black Duotone perforated leather upholstery.

Standard safety equipment includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags, high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, and a remote antitheft alarm. An available upgraded remote antitheft alarm that also protects the premium audio system remains optional.

The 2016 Aston Martin Rapide shares the luxury 4-door market with the likes of the Porsche Panamera, Bentley Flying Spur, and Maserati Quattroporte, each of which offers a bit more practicality along with the expected luxury features.