A surprise attraction
Alfa Romeo’s crossover Stelvio an affordable luxury
Alfa Romeo’s mid-sized crossover the Stelvio drives – and looks – like it should cost a good $10,000 more than it does.
It is quick, comfortable and has as high a fun factor as you can expect from a hotrod luxury crossover. That is somewhat to be expected based on its heritage. Since crossovers are essential to the financial security of a brand, this Alfa comes to American as a crossover based on the delightful Giulia sedan, a car cheered by virtually every driving enthusiast who spends time in one.
But becoming a crossover make it larger and heavier, so it isn’t the nimble delight to drive that the Giulia is. But then again it isn’t competing with sedans, but with crossovers. While it doesn’t have the brute horsepower of Mercedes’ AMG or BMW’s M-badged performer, or even Audi’s R-designated cars, it is equally fun to drive. It sees itself competing with BMW’s X2 and X3 and the Audi Q3 and maybe the Q5.
On public roads, it gives up little to nothing to those vehicles – at least without their drivers risking jail time. The Stelvio hugs the road in a very unsports-ute manner. It responds quickly to input, and corners better than most sedans. Its steering is as precise and oncenter as anything other than a sports car. The brakes pull it down from speed with a confidence and quickness which denotes its heritage. What more could you ask for?
Furthermore, it sounds as good as it drives, thanks to a well-tuned and tweaked fourcylinder engine which could sing in the chorus of any opera company. This is thanks to the Stelvio and Stelvio Ti models allaluminum, 2.0-liter, direct-injection turbo four-cylinder engine.
While generating 280 hp. and 306 lb.-ft. of peak torque is also generates an equally pleasant tone. The EPA says the cost for that in gasoline is 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Then that power goes through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels, using a carbon-fiber driveshaft to do it. This is one of the best things that is standard on all Stelvio models.
It is a system that adds both the feeling of security that comes for most people from allwheel drive, but ups the Stelvio’s all-season traction and performance capability, since it can transfer as much as 60 percent of the engine’s torque to the front axle.
But if you want to push the power or sound even farther, you can move up to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. This will let you take on the hot-rod crossovers from the German brands. Not having driven it, I can’t personally endorse this move, but it does have an all-aluminum, direct-injection, 2.9-liter, 24-valve, twin-turbo intercooled V-6 engine. Since this produces 505 hp. and 443 lb.-ft. of peak torque attached to an all-wheel drive system, it is probably an acceptable, if pricey, alternative.
Alfa Romeo says it will get from 0-60 mph in an “estimated” 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph. the quotes are provided to point out that the use of the word estimated was probably demanded by the legal department.
Wonderful as it is, the Quadrifoglio is not a necessary upgrade either for fun, or for the positive impression it will creates on the streets of your neighborhood. While previous generations may have considered the brand had dependability issues it has never had a capability or flair issue.
As you would expect from an Italian manufacturer it is both attractive and sophisticated. The exterior flows sensuously from front to rear, and the front face is well proportioned and not overly aggressive. This seems to be the opposite of the Asian counterparts, where the fronts are seriously, well, in-your-face.
The inside comes almost intact from the Giulia. Form and features meld to make certain that passengers are happy, and the driver is aptly supported with the information and control which makes the driving not only safer, but much more fun.
So, all the models of the Stelvio are well equipped and attractive. Some of the standard features are the aforementioned carbon-fiber driveshaft, dual exhaust with bright tips, 18-inch aluminum wheels – although 19and 20-in. wheels are available.
Alfa Romeo then give Stelvios leather seating, a backup camera with rear park sensors, remote start, passive entry with keyless start and a Formula-Oneinspired flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated push-button start. I’m not so impressed by having the start-stop button on the steering wheel, but there aren’t many places left where you can put it to be different.
It that’s not enough, move up to the Stelvio Ti. This model adds even more luxury and convenience offerings, starting with standard 19-in. wheels. Inside there are heated front seats as well as the steering wheel. genuine wood interior accents and an 8.8-in. widescreen infotainment display. The front park sensors alert you, making parking more effective.
The Sport and Lusso packages give drivers two options to make a bit bolder statement for the Stelvio Ti. The base model I tested has a MSRP of $43,190, but there are plenty of options that can easily get the price on other models of this to the mid $50K range
Compared to many, the Stelvio is a crossover in which wearing a suit and tie isn’t at all required, but would comfortably fit in.
One presumes that suit will be Italian.