The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage competes in the same performance sphere as all-time greats like the Porsche 911, Audi R8, and Lamborghini Huracan. If one thing sets the Vantage apart, however, it’s undoubtedly the supercar’s incredible styling.

Available in either coupe or convertible trim, the Vantage boasts a 4.0-liter V8 engine. With 503 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque powering the rear wheels, this two-door is a performance car with a capital P. All that power is managed by an eight-speed automatic in the convertible, but coupe drivers get to choose between the automatic or a seven-speed manual transmission.

Although some might balk at the automatic-only decision for the drop-top, we’re mostly just thrilled to see a convertible model on sale in 2021. New for 2021, the convertible makes it all the easier to listen to the Vantage’s thunderous V8 engine.

You’d expect a powerful, V8-engined sports car to deliver terrible fuel economy, and while the Vantage doesn’t sip gas, it’s not as thirsty as some. The EPA estimates that automatic-transmission Vantages should deliver 18 mpg city, 24 highway, while the manual transmission drops those numbers to 14/21.

Inside, the Aston Martin Vantage seats two comfortably, but there are no rear seats. If you need a grand touring car, consider the 2+2 Aston Marting DB11. Upholstered in a mix of leather and faux suede, the Vantage looks and feels nice, if not quite as plush as some of its competitors. The center stack is a confusing blend of buttons, and the air vents look surprisingly low-rent for a car like the Vantage. Luckily, Aston Martin now includes the Vantage’s power-adjustable sport seats (with memory settings) as standard equipment, and there’s still enough room in the trunk for a full-sized set of golf clubs.

Technology-wise, the Vantage gets an 8-inch infotainment display controlled by a rotary knob positioned between the seats. Considering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment on many vehicles costing literally one-fifth as much as the Vantage, it’s startling to see them absent here.

Shoppers familiar with this segment won’t be surprised to hear that neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash-tested the Vantage. The company does offer a 360-degree surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and self-parking assist, but all of those are optional extras.

And, as one would expect, the Vantage isn’t cheap. A starting price of $139,000 is more than a base Porsche 911, similar to an entry-level Audi R8, and a good bit less than a Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 EVO. Going with the convertible adds $8,000 to the starting MSRP.