Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
A real firecracker of an SUV
Alfa’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio has been around for some time, but can recent updates help keep things interesting? Jack Evans finds out.
Alfa Romeo’s goodlooking 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? We’ve been finding out.
WHAT’S NEW?
Though quite subtle, there are a few changes here and there to help sharpen the Stelvio Quadrifoglio – or QV – experience. We’ve got a slightly more aggressive exterior design on the outside – with the three-bar light setup 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 rangetopping 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 in the way it hustles down the road and it’s nice that this hasn’t been watered down via this update. 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, too, 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 potholepeppered surfaces. The whole car feels light and ready to go, with only the brakes being a negative aspect – they’re a touch grabby and were very squeaky on our test car.
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 ouches, like the 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 performanceorientated touches, too, like the bonnet air intakes and the quad exhaust pipes at the rear.
Price as tested: £87,195 Engine: 2.9-litre biturbo V6 engine Power: 513bhp Torque: 600Nm Max speed: 177mph 0-60mph: 3.6 seconds MPG: 23.9mpg Emissions: 267g/km
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 which shuns the trend for overly flat-bottomed wheels. 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 fibre-effect trim, too, which might divide opinions. Boot space is reasonable at 525 litres, too.
THE VERDICT
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio continues to be one of the sharpest-to-drive cars in the segment. Against models like the Porsche Macan, the Stelvio feels light and agile, while the 2.9-litre engine really should be celebrated, both for its performance and its character. Some interior elements leave a little to be desired, but if you’re after a car that’ll make you smile at every press of the ‘engine start’ button, this Alfa Romeo could be the SUV for you.