The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a puzzling car. Most luxurious crossovers, even the supposedly sporty ones, prioritize function content material and practicality over driving pleasure. The Stelvio feels completely different. Named after the best paved street within the Italian Alps, this SUV places driver connection over all the pieces else, for higher or worse.
Except for a number of minor upgrades, the Stelvio hasn’t modified drastically because it arrived in the marketplace for the 2018 mannequin yr; it received some new tech for the 2022 mannequin yr and two new trim ranges for 2023, the Lusso and the Estrema. DrivingOnRoad just lately spent per week within the Estrema, a supposed bridge between the usual Stelvio and the hardcore Quadrifoglio, to search out out if the much less highly effective engine can nonetheless ship the thrills of its Ferrari-inspired halo model. We found a blended bag of lovely styling, a less-than-stellar inside, and sharp dealing with.
We additionally puzzled if Alfa’s newest crossover, the Tonale, might have surpassed its older sibling as probably the most compelling package deal within the lineup.
Design: A Head-Turning SUV
If there’s one factor the Stelvio will get proper, it is the styling. This automotive attracts compliments all over the place it goes, which is uncommon for a crossover at this value level; the flashy Misano Blue paint (a $660 choice) might have one thing to do with that. The restricted version Estrema, which suggests excessive in Italian, is the sportiest non-Quadrifoglio trim with commonplace 21-inch black wheels and carbon fiber accents across the grille and on the mirror caps. Sadly, in case you like this look, you higher act quick; Alfa Romeo says the Estrema is now not accessible to order, which means the remaining vendor stock is all that is left.
On the plus facet, you may nonetheless order a Stelvio Lusso, one other new trim degree for the 2023 mannequin yr. This model lacks a number of efficiency choices (an adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential) discovered on the Estrema however rides on the identical 21-inch wheels completed in silver. We want the silver end wheels as a result of they do not conceal the gorgeous spoke sample as a lot.
Alfa Romeo will give the Stelvio a facelift for 2024 with styling that appears extra just like the Tonale; we predict it seems even prettier than the present automotive.
Inside: It is… Superb
Although the outside garnered completely optimistic opinions from everybody who rode within the Stelvio throughout our week of testing, the inside didn’t. It is okay, however not spectacular for a luxurious car. Some supplies really feel costly, just like the leather-based and carbon fiber, whereas some buttons and switchgear could be extra at residence in a Kia or a Mazda than an Audi or a BMW. They arrive from the identical suppliers as these Germans, however they’ve a definite “final technology” high quality.
Ditto for the know-how, which feels outdated in 2023. The 8.8-inch touchscreen is barely a tad bigger than you get in a Toyota Corolla, and the massive black bezels make it appear even smaller. We received used to the interface over the course of per week, nevertheless it’s much less intuitive than competitor infotainment programs. On the plus facet, wi-fi Apple CarPlay is commonplace, and Alfa Romeo lets drivers select whether or not to the touch the display screen or use the controller on the middle console. There are additionally loads of bodily controls for the radio and local weather. As a small change for 2024, the Stelvio will get a digital gauge cluster that ought to make the cabin really feel barely extra fashionable.
Driving Impressions: Italian DNA
It is a cliche to say that each one Italian vehicles drive nicely, however the Stelvio is among the many most thrilling luxurious crossovers accessible. The powertrain is the lone dim spot, not matching the remainder of the expertise. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. This can be a greater output than most base powertrains on this phase, however the best way it delivers energy is not very thrilling. The engine redlines at beneath 6,000 rpm and the torque hits low within the rev vary, virtually like a diesel. It would not make a very pleasing sound and infrequently will get caught feeling laggy throughout regular driving.
The eight-speed automated transmission works nice in automated, nevertheless it may very well be sharper in guide mode. This can be a bit disappointing given how satisfying the Stelvio’s column-mounted paddle shifters are to make use of. Alfa says the Stelvio can hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which is completely plausible. When you brake-torque it to spool up the turbo, the Stelvio flies off the road with immediacy. Sadly, the acceleration off the road feels much less instantaneous in case you simply mash the throttle unprompted.
Dynamic Mode primes the powertrain for optimum acceleration, and there’s a noticeable distinction between the usual Pure setting and particularly the Superior Effectivity Mode, which feels significantly sluggish, even for an eco-focused setting. The Estrema is the one non-Quadrifoglio Stelvio to get adaptive dampers, although they’re tuned softer than the aforementioned high-performance mannequin, fortunately.
Putting the automotive into Dynamic Mode stiffens the suspension, although a button on the DNA controller allows you to put it again into the smooth setting whereas conserving the opposite sporty settings. That is how we most popular to drive the Stelvio round: Dynamic Mode with the smooth suspension.
The Stelvio drives extra like a hatchback than a crossover. It has sharp steering that borders on twitchy with out being uncomfortable on the freeway and phenomenal physique management when driving spiritedly. For an fanatic who must commerce of their sizzling hatchback to accommodate a bigger household, the Stelvio is a superb choice, and has been because it first arrived.
It additionally feels distinctly rear-driven whenever you’re actually hustling, which feels nice.
Practicality: On The Small Facet
As an SUV, the Stelvio is just not probably the most spectacular persons are cargo hauler. The rear seats solely supply 31.9 inches of legroom, which is on the low facet for this phase. As a reference level, the BMW X3’s rear seat has 36.4 inches. The Stelvio’s again seat does at the very least have rear air vents, USB ports, and heated seats.
The trunk is the same story; there may be simply 18.5 cubic toes behind the rear seats and 56.5 with the seats folded. To reference the X3 once more, it has 28.7 and 62.7 cubes, respectively. If you’d like the utmost carrying capability within the phase, look elsewhere. In actual fact, the brand new Alfa Romeo Tonale bests the Stelvio with 22.9 cubic toes of area behind the second row and falls simply brief on general storage with 50.5 cubes.
Verdict: The Tonale Downside
Pricing for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio begins at $46,575 for the 2023 mannequin and the Estrema trim, which is now not accessible to order, prices $59,825 ($60,425 as-tested). These costs will lower barely for the 2024 mannequin yr to make the Stelvio extra aggressive with rivals, and we’re trying ahead to the 2024 adjustments, together with the brand new headlights and digital gauge cluster. However spending per week within the Stelvio reminded us that Alfa Romeo now has a extra compelling crossover that is accessible for practically the identical value.
The Tonale Dash begins at $42,995, a bit lower than the Stelvio. With choices, a Tonale can max out round $59,000. It comes with a hybrid 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque when mixed with an electrical motor. In contrast to the Stelvio, the Tonale can drive on electrical energy for 30 miles and will get superior gasoline financial system (29 mpg common). Inside, the Tonale will get a more recent Uconnect 5 infotainment system and ventilated seats up entrance. It feels extra fashionable than its bigger sibling and regardless of using on a front-drive platform, it is not noticeably much less entertaining to drive in 80% of situations.
If we had been out there for an Alfa Romeo SUV in 2023, we might take a protracted take a look at the Tonale earlier than pulling the set off on a Stelvio.