Alfa Stelvio vs rivals

Italian brand’s SUV hope takes on Volvo XC60, Mercedes GLC

ALFA Romeo is resurgent. The arresting-looking 4C sports car was first in its new-era line-up and was followed by the more mainstream Giulia, an efficient, sporty and stylish saloon that you could buy with your head as well as your heart. But with the market’s craving for SUVS increasing all the time, it was only a matter of time before the Italian brand built a 4x4 – and this is it.

The Stelvio is the Alfa Romeo for the 21st century, combining the brand’s usual individual approach to design with sharp driving dynamics, family-friendly practicality and a premium image, plus aspirations to sell big in the mid-size SUV sector.

However, there’s no shortage of contenders in this class, so the Stelvio will have to show what it’s got against our current champion, the Volvo XC60. As a family 4x4 the Alfa will also have to prove itself against one of the best in the business: the Mercedes GLC.

All three have four-cylinder diesels that offer decent performance and efficiency on paper, but is this true in the real world and which is the best mid-size SUV on sale today?