Verdict
Stunning looks and mighty performance combine in Aston Martin's Vantage Roadster, but you need to choose carefully.

Expert rating: 3.7

Pros
• Beautiful looks
• Sound and pace
• Engaging driving experience

Cons
• Expensive
• Faces tough rivals
• High fuel consumption

1. Exterior: 5/5
The Vantage is a taut mix of muscularity and Aston's traditional elegance. It works very well too, with the squat, purposeful proportions conveying the obvious sporting intent. The Roadster loses none of the coupe's assertiveness with the loss of its roof, as its folding fabric top is neatly integrated whether open or closed.

2. Interior: 4/5
Tactile polished and brushed surfaces and more leather than a DFS showroom combine to create a special driving environment. It's largely hand crafted too. A strict two-seater, there's not a huge amount of room in the cabin, and the Roadster's lower roof makes the cabin feel a touch more claustrophobic than its coupé counterpart. Finally, the instruments might be deeply recessed, but their metallic finish makes them difficult to read in the sun.

3. Practicality: 2/5
Sportscars aren't bought with practicality in mind, but the Vantage Roadster isn't a completely impractical machine, with its boot offering room for a weekend's worth of soft luggage. Oddment stowage around the cabin is light, with little room for phones, iPods and the like.

4. Ride and handling: 4/5
A powerful V8 engine, rear-wheel drive and quick steering combine to create an enjoyable sports car. The ride and handling have improved markedly as the Vantage has been developed, with the more hardcore S model offering super-sharp steering and taut suspension. There is some trade off in ride quality for the high levels of grip and agility, while the loss of its roof doesn't upset the dynamics too much, with only the nastiest bumps sending a shimmer through the body.

5. Performance: 4/5
The V8 Vantage's 420bhp 4.7-litre V8 allows the Roadster to reach 62mph in just 4.8 seconds. It's an impressive engine, compromised by Aston's optional SportShift transmission - which isn't that slick. The S's uprated SportShift II helps, but rivals' systems are quicker and slicker. A manual is offered, but nobody opts for it and it's not offered on the S.

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6. Running costs: 3/5
As well as its thirst for fuel the Aston will cost you dearly on insurance and road tax. Servicing will be expensive too, while tyres, brake pads and other consumables won't be cheap.

7. Reliability: 3/5
The V8 Vantage has been around for a while now and it should prove reliable. Aston Martin has taken great leaps in reliability in recent years although it's unlikely to be as trouble-free an ownership proposition as a Porsche 911. But then it's much more exclusive than its German rival.

8. Safety: 4/5
Along with dual-stage airbags, occupants are protected by a strong structure. There are ABS brakes with cornering brake control, stability and traction systems and a torque control system to prevent the rear wheels locking under engine braking. The Roadster gains automatic pop-up roll hoops that deploy if a potential roll-over is detected, too.

9. Equipment: 3/5
Leather-trimmed electrically adjusted seats, a six-CD changer with iPod connection and USB inputs are the highlights among the standard equipment. Bluetooth and sat-nav are extra - though the latter is so out of date you'd be better with an aftermarket system. Cruise control and heated seats are extra too.

10. Why buy? 5/5
The Vantage Roadster is beautiful and engaging to drive, though it's not as polished dynamically as some rivals. Still, you'd never tire of looking at it, or of the sound the V8 makes when it's reaching its redline.