Alfa Romeo launched the Stelvio SUV back in 2016. Almost ten years later, we took a look at the updated version for 2025. There is no more high-horsepower Quadrifoglio model available because of emissions compliance, but the powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder still has plenty of go with reasonable fuel economy. There is something to be said about a vehicle platform from a manufacturer not necessarily known for reliability that has been around the block. Everything on my Alfa tester worked perfectly, and there was no reason to think the car would self-destruct past the warranty period. What you get for the little bit of extra risk is a vehicle laden with beautiful Italian styling—something your neighbor would not have parked next door. This is important to me and made me want to give the Alfa a closer look.
Powertrain
Getting the powertrain fired up has the class of another Italian automobile—Ferrari. To wake up the Stelvio powerplant, there is a small Start/Stop button located directly on the steering wheel. It certainly is unusual for an SUV that can be used as a family car, but it adds a touch of excitement and class. The 2.0-liter turbo is connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine flexes 280 horsepower and will keep you entertained. The transmission can be talked to through two tremendous aluminum paddles in front of the steering wheel. It’s certainly not a Lincoln SUV; the Stelvio keeps everything sporty. According to Alfa, it is the sports car of its segment. The Stelvio features near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution and class-leading power and performance. Some key race-inspired features include a class-exclusive carbon fiber driveshaft, flat-bottom Formula One-inspired steering wheel, Alfa DNA drive mode selector (Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced), and the eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts in less than 100 milliseconds.
Looking the Part
My Stelvio had the Tributo Italiano package. This rimmed up the Stelvio with 21-inch dark aluminum wheels, complete with red calipers. There is a body-color appearance kit that includes a sport rear diffuser, Tributo Italian-flag colored mirror caps, a sunroof, gloss black roof rails, moldings, and a hands-free power liftgate. Inside, you are treated to premium touches such as a leather dash with contrasting stitching, doors, and sport seats, which include power bolsters and a power passenger seat. The Stelvio Tributo Italiano is also available with the new Active Assist Plus Package that includes Intelligent Speed Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Active Driving Assist. The ADAS systems work well, but the Active Driving Assist did not see lines well on the salt-covered roads on the freeway near me.
The Infotainment Conundrum
The Stelvio was born when an 8-inch touchscreen was cutting-edge. But now there are huge screens available in plebeian vehicles, so the little center screen looks out of place. However, it does everything it is supposed to do with both touchscreen and a rotary knob. I like the choice. The navigation is provided by TomTom, like other Stellantis products. It works fine, but with the smaller screen, you’ll probably rely on the onboard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are easier to use than the native nav. The most significant update can be seen in the instrument panel with its historic “telescopic” design. It includes a new, completely digital 12.3-inch TFT screen, where you can access all the vehicle information and parameters related to intelligent cruise control. Moreover, the cluster can be reconfigured into three layouts: Evolved, Relax, and Heritage. Evolved represents the future of Alfa Romeo design and uses the central area of the screen, despite keeping its two lateral quadrants in place. Relax focuses on comfort, is free of detailed vehicle information, and goes without the two quadrants. But my favorite was the Heritage gauge cluster. It was inspired by the brand’s iconic Sixties and Seventies models, with distinctive details like inverted numbers at the end of the speedometer. Long live the Stelvio that masquerades as a Spider Veloce!
Sounds Good
The Harman Kardon audio system features 900 watts of power and 14 drivers: four tweeters, five midranges, four midbass drivers, and an eight-inch subwoofer. Harman and Alfa did a good job packaging all the drivers into the vehicle without them encroaching on any interior space. The Harman-branded speaker grilles also look good. The system does a good job with a solid stereo image. For those who want surround sound, Harman offers its Logic 7 technology. It does a good job of creating a surround sound experience even for backseat passengers. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio may not offer the latest in center-stack infotainment, but it is a compelling choice for those who want a sporty SUV and crave something different. My very well-equipped Tributo Italiano came in at $58K. With its Italian good looks and charm, it just may win you over.
