LAUNCHED in 2017, the Stelvio represented a radical shift for Alfa Romeo, although the company waited longer than most competitors to enter the SUV segment.
CEO Reid Bigland once said at the launch: “The Stelvio is an Alfa Romeo first, an SUV second.” True to his words, Alfa offered an attractive, high-riding car that was every bit as desirable as its talented German contemporaries, with a noticeable dynamic edge. Today, early, high-mileage examples can be found on the UK market for as little as £10,000, but a budget of £15,000 will secure you a more well-preserved model with more reasonable mileage. With the Stelvio having undergone minimal changes over its eight-year history (2017-2025), even older models don’t look dated.
Equipment and practicality
At launch, customers were offered the Stelvio, Super, Speciale and Milano Edizione trim levels. Base models come with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, cruise control, parking sensors and a power tailgate, but the recommendation goes to the mid-level Speciale trim level.
It features 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights and aluminum interior trim, and has been a popular choice, so you won’t have any trouble finding a well-maintained model. In any trim, the Stelvio will appeal to those looking for a family car that can also be a source of excitement.
Thanks to the lightweight aluminium platform it shares with the Giulia, the Stelvio weighs just 1,659kg, making it considerably lighter than rivals such as the Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Macan. On winding roads it lives up to its Alpine name, with rear-biased all-wheel drive providing balance and stability, while the direct steering, taken from the Giulia, means it’s almost as fun to drive as its saloon sibling. However, that agility comes at a price – the stiffer suspension becomes uncomfortable on rougher surfaces, though not unbearable.
Interior and build quality
Entering the cabin reveals some weaknesses. Although the interior is nicely designed and pleasant to live in, it lacks the richness of materials and refinement offered by the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
The sloping roofline also reduces headroom in the back seat, meaning less room for adult passengers. Despite this, the Stelvio is still a practical car. With a 525-litre boot, you’ll have no problem loading up luggage, bikes or the family dog.
Design and platform
In terms of dimensions, the Stelvio is more like a raised hatchback than a traditional SUV. It’s slightly taller than the Macan and noticeably shorter than the BMW X5, with Alfa emphasizing athleticism over utilitarianism. The front end is almost copied from the Giulia sedan, while the high side line merges with a steeply sloping rear end.
The Giorgio modular platform is hidden under the body, and the key data is the mass of only 1659 kg for the diesel model with all-wheel drive. This was achieved through the extensive use of aluminum for the suspension and bodywork, a carbon fiber drive shaft and a brake-by-wire braking system.
Engines and performance
The range of engines consists of a 2.0-liter turbopetrol with 197 HP or 276 HP and a 2.2-liter turbodiesel with 188 HP or 207 HP. Gasoline engines are smooth and refined, and the more powerful version encourages dynamic driving. The diesels are responsive and flexible, especially the version with 207 hp and 480 Nm of torque. Although they are somewhat noisier, they are quiet at cruising speeds and can achieve consumption of around 4.7 l/100 km.
At the top of the range is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio with a 2.9-litre V6 engine developed in-house by Ferrari, which develops 503bhp (518bhp from 2023) and accelerates to 100km/h in under 4 seconds. Although they are very attractively priced today, with used prices starting at £30,000, they require a careful check of their maintenance history.
Driving and handling
Alfa describes the Stelvio’s handling as “worthy of a true sports car,” and that’s not far from the truth. The tightly controlled suspension combined with a chassis that leans towards rear-wheel drive provides a natural balance in corners. Sharing the mechanicals and extremely direct steering with the Giulia, the Stelvio feels considerably smaller and lighter to drive than it is. There is a trade-off, though.
Due to the stiffer springs, the chassis lacks the ability to smoothly roll over bumps like the Audi Q5, and can feel choppy on the highway. The ride is best on smooth roads, while on rougher surfaces it lacks the versatility that buyers in this segment expect.
Costs and maintenance
Diesel engines are a reasonable choice due to their combination of performance and low fuel consumption. Gasoline engines are significantly “thirstier” (about 7.8 l/100 km) and do not offer noticeably better performance, but they are a better choice for those who often drive short distances to avoid problems with the DPF filter.
Servicing costs shouldn’t be any higher than German competitors, especially if you opt for specialist workshops. The Stelvio has suffered a greater depreciation than its rivals, making it a very tempting opportunity on the used car market today.
Final verdict
Alfa Romeo has successfully translated its brand values into the SUV format, creating a car that is unusually attractive and fun to drive. While interior quality and ride comfort fall short of the best in its class, its powertrain is convincing, and as a used car it offers excellent value.
The Stelvio is dynamically impressive, but that sporty touch comes at the expense of refinement, a price many buyers may not be willing to pay.
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