Stelvio brings a smile to your face

ALFA Romeo’s good-looking Stelvio Quadrifoglio has already established a reputation as being a performance SUV that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Unlike rivals, this high-riding model has been handed all the flamboyance and character of a ‘regular’ go-faster model like a saloon or hatch, but has the added benefit of extra space and versatility.

It’s been subjected to a series of upgrades and refreshes over its lifespan, too, but Alfa believes there’s room for one more.

That brings us to this, the newly updated Stelvio Quadrifoglio – but what does it bring to the table and is it enough to fend off the likes of Porsche’s Macan?

What’s new?

Though quite subtle, there are a few changes to help sharpen the Stelvio Quadrifoglio – or QV – experience.

We’ve got a slightly more aggressive exterior design – with the three-bar light set-up that has been used on the new Tonale compact SUV – while the engine has been given a little extra power.

The addition of a mechanical limited-slip differential adds to the QV’s driver-focused credentials, too.

The Stelvio range got a significant update in 2020 to bring better interior materials, but this range-topping QV goes forward another level thanks to more premium-feeling plastics and a very pleasant leather-finished dashboard.

What’s it like to drive?

Boy, is this one exciting car to drive.

The QV has never been shy and retiring and it’s nice that this hasn’t been watered down. The previous car hardly felt snail-like in pace, but this new version fires you down the road in savage fashion and the exhaust adds huge amounts of character to the whole experience, too.

The steering remains quick, which gives this relatively large car a great sense of agility.

You can switch between different driving modes, but we tended to find that the softest setting for the suspension worked best on our roads.

When firmed up, the Stelvio simply feels too harsh for the UK’s pothole-peppered surfaces.

How does it look?

The Stelvio has always appeared as one of the more attractive performance SUVs available.

It’s got the tell-tale Alfa offset number plate and triangular front grille, but it all feels current enough to ensure that this SUV isn’t just a medley of throwback designs.

The QV has more performance-orientated touches, too, like the bonnet air intakes and the quad exhaust pipes at the rear.

What’s it like inside?

Inside you’ll find a pleasant arrangement of materials and features.

The leather-clad dashboard both looks and feels upmarket and we like the nicely-shaped steering wheel.

Behind it sit some of the best gearshift paddles in the business; large and tactile, they make changing gears a real piece of theatre.

Many areas get a carbon fibreeffect trim, too, which might divide opinions.

Boot space is reasonable at 525 litres, too.

Alfa’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio has been around for some time, but can recent updates help keep things interesting? Jack Evans finds out.

What’s the spec like?

While the Stelvio QV might be costly – prices start from £87,195 – it does include plenty of standard equipment to help justify it.

The full leather interior features front seats which are heated and electrically adjustable, while a wireless charging pad and automatic dual-zone climate control are both included from the off. New for this 2024 model is the TFT display where you’d usually find the traditional dials, but it’s easy to configure and rotate through different views and modes at the click of a button.

The main infotainment system, however, feels a little old by current car standards; it isn’t all that intuitive to use and can be clunky at times. We couldn’t get Android Auto to work during our time with the car, either.