Alfa Romeo Stelvio review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The interior of the Stelvio was given a welcome update in 2020, which significantly improved its quality and technology. The layout is driver-focused, with a sporty feel. The infotainment system features an 8.8-inch screen that’s nicely integrated into the dashboard and can be controlled by touch or with a rotary dial. It includes satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard.

While the updates made the cabin feel more upmarket, with better materials and a redesigned centre console, it still doesn't quite have the premium polish of an Audi Q5 or BMW X3. Some of the plastics feel less expensive, and the infotainment system isn't as slick as the best in the class.

Comfort

The Stelvio has a firm, sporty suspension setup, which is great for handling but means the ride is less forgiving than in some rivals. It’s not uncomfortable, but you will feel bumps and imperfections in the road more, especially on models with larger wheels.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, particularly the sports seats in higher-spec models, holding you in place during spirited driving. There's plenty of adjustment for the driver, so finding a good driving position is easy. It’s a car that feels sporty first and comfortable second.

Quality

Alfa Romeo has made big strides in quality with its recent models, and the Stelvio is a good example. Post-2020 models feel much more pleasant inside than earlier versions, which had some cheap-feeling plastics. Now, the cabin feels largely well-built and uses some good-quality materials. It may not have the bank-vault solidity of its German competitors, but it has a unique Italian charm and feels special in its own way.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

The Stelvio is a good-sized family car with enough room for four adults to travel in comfort. There’s plenty of head and legroom in the front and back, making it a practical choice for daily life. Fitting five people in is a bit of a squeeze, which is common for a car in this class.

While it's a roomy car, some rivals offer more space. The Land Rover Discovery Sport, for example, is available with an extra two seats in the boot, making it a full seven-seater, which the Stelvio doesn't offer.

Boot space

The Stelvio has a practical boot that’s a good size for a family SUV. It offers 525 litres of space, which is more than enough for holiday luggage, a pushchair, or a big weekly shop. The rear seats fold down to expand the load area to a very useful 1,600 litres, which is great for those occasional trips to the furniture store. The boot opening is wide, making it easy to load bulky items.

Versatility

With its five seats, decent-sized boot, and standard all-wheel-drive system, the Stelvio is a versatile car that can cope with most things family life can throw at it. It's a great choice if you want the practicality of an SUV but don't want to give up the style and driving fun of a sports saloon. It's a car that can handle the school run during the week and provide thrills on a country road at the weekend.

Driving

Driving experience

This is where the Alfa Romeo Stelvio truly shines. For an SUV, it’s superb to drive. It feels far more agile, nimble, and fun than you would expect from a high-riding family car. The steering is quick and direct, giving you a great sense of connection to the road, and it handles corners with the enthusiasm of a much smaller, sportier car.

It’s helped by a great range of powerful engines and a superb eight-speed automatic gearbox that shifts quickly and smoothly. While rivals might be more comfortable, few can match the Stelvio for pure driving enjoyment.

Performance

There’s plenty of engine choice in the Stelvio range, and none of them feel underpowered. The diesel models use a 2.2-litre engine available with either 187bhp or 207bhp, both offering strong pulling power. The petrol range features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with either 197bhp or a punchy 276bhp, the latter providing very brisk acceleration.

For the ultimate performance SUV experience, there’s the incredible Quadrifoglio model. It uses a Ferrari-developed 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 503bhp, which delivers breathtaking performance and an amazing soundtrack. It's one of the best performance SUVs on the market.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

Unlike many of its rivals, the Stelvio isn’t available with a mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid option (except for the very latest models), which means running costs can be a little higher. If you want the best fuel economy, the diesel engines are the ones to go for, with an official figure of up to 44.8mpg. The petrol models are thirstier, and you'll likely struggle to get 30mpg in everyday driving. The high-performance Quadrifoglio is, as you’d expect, the thirstiest of all.

Value for money

New prices for the Stelvio have risen since it was launched, and it now sits firmly in the premium SUV bracket. However, it does come with a very generous level of standard equipment, including large alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen.

On the used market, the Stelvio can represent good value, offering a huge amount of style and driving fun for the money. It has held its value better than many expected, which is a testament to its desirability.

Reliability & Warranty

Alfa Romeo’s reputation for reliability hasn't always been the best, but its latest models seem to be performing much better. There are no major, common issues known for the Stelvio. As with any used car, it’s important to check for a full and comprehensive service history.

Safety

Safety features

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a very safe car, achieving the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP. It scored an incredible 97% for adult occupant protection.

As part of the 2020 update, Alfa Romeo added a range of advanced driver assistance features, offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability. This includes systems that help you stay in your lane, maintain a safe distance from the car in front, and recognise traffic signs. All models also come with autonomous emergency braking and front and rear parking sensors.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The trim lineup for the Stelvio has evolved over the years, but recent models start with Sprint. This is very well equipped, with 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, a reversing camera, and the 8.8-inch touchscreen with navigation.

The Veloce trim adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, and sports leather seats for a more luxurious and sporty feel. At the top of the range is the high-performance Quadrifoglio, which gets a unique and aggressive body kit, a premium sound system, carbon-fibre trim, and various mechanical upgrades to handle its immense power.

Engines

The Stelvio is available with a strong range of petrol and diesel engines. The 2.2-litre diesel comes in 187bhp and 207bhp forms. The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is available with 197bhp or 276bhp. All these engines are paired with a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The range-topping Quadrifoglio model uses a spectacular 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine producing 503bhp, making it one of the fastest SUVs you can buy.

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