Compare the2026 Ferrari 296VS 2026 Aston Martin Vantage

Both the 296 and the Vantage have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Ferrari pays for scheduled maintenance on the 296 for 7 years and unlimited miles. Ferrari will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Aston Martin doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Vantage.

The 296’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 163 more horsepower (819 vs. 656) than the Vantage’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The 296’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 149 more horsepower (819 vs. 670) than the Vantage S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8. The 296 Speciale’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 198 more horsepower (868 vs. 670) than the Vantage S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ferrari 296 3.0 is faster than the Aston Martin Vantage 4.0:

On the EPA test cycle the 296 GTB running on electricity gets better mileage than the Vantage:

On the EPA test cycle the 296 GTB running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Vantage:

On the EPA test cycle the 296 GTS running on electricity gets better mileage than the Vantage 4.0 turbo V8 (48 city/48 hwy MPGe vs. 15 city/22 hwy).

The 296 can travel with zero emissions for 7 to 8 miles (dependent on model). The Vantage can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The 296 GTS can travel with zero emissions for 7 miles. The Vantage can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 296’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Vantage doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 296’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Vantage doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ferrari 296 higher (5 out of 10) than the Aston Martin Vantage (4). This means the 296 produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Vantage every 15,000 miles.

The 296 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Vantage doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The 296 stops much shorter than the Vantage:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires optional on the 296 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Vantage doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Ferrari 296 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 650 pounds less than the Aston Martin Vantage.

The 296’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Vantage doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 296 easier. The 296’s trunk lift-over height is 21.7 inches, while the Vantage’s liftover is 23.9 inches.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the 296. The Vantage doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The 296’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Vantage does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 296 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Vantage doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 296’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Vantage’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 296 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Vantage doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 296’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The Vantage’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The 296’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Vantage has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Ferrari 296 retains 76.29% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 61.61% resale value of the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage after five years, which can save the Ferrari’s owner.