2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce | PH Review
The Stelvio enjoys the same round of subtle updates as the Giulia. Is it just as successful?
The Stelvio felt pretty crucial when it launched back in 2017. Alfa Romeo’s then rebirth – let’s politely ignore the fact it’s currently undergoing another – needed an SUV as its backbone. The resulting car looked better than most of its competitors while offering a much defter driving experience. Less of the bombast approach of more aggressive rivals across the board, in summary, and all the more likeable for it.
So just like the Giulia, its latest round of updates has been kept minimal. Whatever replaces the Stelvio is likely to be all-electric, so this facelift is a matter of extending its life rather than transforming it.
If I were to list all its apparent rivals, there’d be no room to actually review the thing. But I have a feeling one of its toughest foes resides within the family home. While you’ve a choice of two engines in the ‘regular’, sub-Quadrifoglio rungs of the Stelvio range, let’s assume you’re far more interested in the 280hp petrol than the 210hp diesel. Peak output sound familiar? That’s because it matches Alfa’s other SUV, the Tonale, in range-topping Plug-In Hybrid Q4 format. While their power figures match, the much lower emissions of the titchier Tonale nominate it as the clear business car choice. So what case does the Stelvio make for itself?
Well, perhaps its appeal comes from it being the teensiest bit old hat. Don’t get me wrong, it’s aged well. Much like the updated Giulia, the flourish of some new triple LEDs up front, darkened lenses at the back and retro-inspired digital dials inside help perk up a car that wasn’t exactly crying out for Botox. Sure, it’s not as outright handsome as its saloon sibling, but its proportions are taut and its surfaces clean. It wears Alfa’s classic phone-dial wheels with welcome ease.
The Stelvio’s six years on sale are more evident in its slim touchscreen which houses less advanced graphics than a Tonale’s. Plus there’s the simple fact its two powertrain options don’t accept any help from electrification. The 280hp/295lb ft peaks of this 2.0-litre turbo four don’t punch as hard as in the Giulia, so while Alfa quotes the same 5.7sec 0-62mph sprint for both cars, the Stelvio’s extra 231kg evidently blunts its performance should you drive the two in quick succession.
It’s more a case of the Giulia feeling uncannily swift than the Stelvio feeling desperately slow, however, and there’s no doubt you’ll revel in the simplicity of engaging the full output here compared to the complexity of cajoling all of its Tonale stablemate’s peak power to arrive in one succinct hit. If you’re a reluctant SUV buyer (we all know one, Mr Bird and his X3 being a prime example) then the Stelvio nominates itself as a more appealing compromise than its hybrid relation on matters of the heart, if not head. The Tonale Q4 is another 175kg heavier still, incidentally.
Every Stelvio comes with all-wheel drive, going some way to justify its stocky £6,500 premium over the purely rear-driven Giulia. On dry roads, you’d do well to spot the difference, though, with the Q4 system sending power predominantly to the back and leaving the front axle to pick up the slack when traction is limited. Up to 50 per cent of torque can be sent to the front wheels with reaction speeds of 150ms.
The engine begins to sound strained above 5,000rpm so you’ll be grabbing its delectable aluminium upshift paddle much sooner to keep progress as smooth, subtle and uncommonly hushed as this powertrain otherwise allows. The eight-speed ZF automatic is a real star attraction, though, with snappy shifts up and down the ‘box and its rev-matching especially sharp. Those fixed, elongated paddles really lift the mood and help set the Stelvio apart from the staidness of the market it operates in. They’re such a delight that the fact their neighbouring steering wheel doesn’t pull out far enough to your chest feels like a very curious misstep.
The Stelvio stacks its three trim levels the same as the Giulia. The Sprint kicks things off at £49,740 with petrol power (or £47,355 as a diesel, which the saloon no longer offers) and boasts a wealth of equipment as standard, heated seats its only real omission of anything you might call essential. Veloce trim (pictured here) adds £4,500 but brings a limited-slip differential, leather sports seats, inch-larger 20-inch alloys and some additional body kit addenda. Another £4,500 – for a near-£60,000 bill – secures a Competizione with Alfa’s SDC adaptive damping, a leather dashboard, Harman Kardon audio and a set of 21s with red calipers peeking through their spokes.
The ride feels well-judged enough in the passively damped Veloce to make SDC (and perhaps Competizione trim as a whole) seem a touch superfluous. Our drive in a Giulia Comp proved it handles admirably in either damping mode too, so removing the choice makes the process of just getting in and driving that bit simpler.
Whichever version you choose this undoubtedly sits at the more appealing end of the SUV spectrum for folks like us. There’s an uncanny lightness of touch to its steering and ride so while it’s no outright thriller to drive, there’s a subtle agility to the way it tackles a road that’s absent from more heavy-handed rivals. Alfa Romeo has made a crossover that feels much closer to its saloon counterpart than most rivals manage. It never quite sparkles like the pedigree Giulia - but it gets closer than you might think.
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO STELVIO Q4 VELOCE
Engine: 4cyl in-line, 1995cc, turbocharged petrol
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@5,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@2,250rpm
0-62mph: 5.7sec
Top speed: 143mph
Weight: 1,660kg (DIN)
MPG: 33.2
CO2: 192g/km
Price: £54,240
They basically have the same problem as Jaguar. The cars are too small for the price point.
Both with either straight six or V6 engines, and 100bhp more (for the Macan).
I've had the X3 M40i, and I'm about to take delivery of a Macan S. Stelvio never even crossed my mind.
I would, however, prefer something that is half decent looking. The X3 M40i misses that criteria by a long shot. The Macan S might just make it onto the list, several places down from the Stelvio.
The StelvioQF was bought new almost exactly two years ago, and as a factory order with a few nice options, it cost £67k.
At the time, that was extremely competitive, and the compromises with the in car electronics and interior build quality, compared to the X3 and Macan, were happily made - my recollection was that an X3 M40 with the same options, wasn’t too far off the price of the QF at the time, and a Macan Turbo with the performance pack and the same spec would have been something like £25k more.
Notwithstanding the overall price inflation on new cars, I think the facelift Stelvio’s are pitched too high.
The car is at the end of its lifecycle, and I’m sure the economics of production would allow AR to offer the higher spec cars at the lower spec level price. This would give someone who values the driving dynamics (which are excellent) access to a prettier, less obvious option, and deliver AR some much needed volume.
I think very few people will now go for the top of the range four cylinder Stelvio, when they can get into an X3 M40 for the same money, with that sweet six cylinder engine, top end in car electronics and premium interior build quality, in spite of the Alfa’s looks and handling.
The StelvioQF was bought new almost exactly two years ago, and as a factory order with a few nice options, it cost £67k.
At the time, that was extremely competitive, and the compromises with the in car electronics and interior build quality, compared to the X3 and Macan, were happily made - my recollection was that an X3 M40 with the same options, wasn’t too far off the price of the QF at the time, and a Macan Turbo with the performance pack and the same spec would have been something like £25k more.
Notwithstanding the overall price inflation on new cars, I think the facelift Stelvio’s are pitched too high.
The car is at the end of its lifecycle, and I’m sure the economics of production would allow AR to offer the higher spec cars at the lower spec price. This would give someone who values the driving dynamics (which are excellent) access to a prettier, less obvious option, and deliver AR some much needed volume.
I think very few people will now go for the top of the range four cylinder Stelvio, when they can get into an X3 M40 for the same money, with that sweet six cylinder engine, top end in car electronics and premium interior build quality, in spite of the Alfa’s looks and handling.
Just this morning we poked around a Stelvio QF at our local Alfa dealer as a replacement to our RRS which some little s&*t nicked the number plates off of yesterday morning.
This is going to be my wifes ar and as much as she likes the RRS she wants a slightly smaller SUV type thing.
We've three cars on our shortlist
2019 Stelvio QF (or 2.0 280 if we go for a debt free option)
2019 X3 M40i - I used to have an M140i with 8AT and I was hugely impressed with the engine, one of the best engines I've owned.
2016/17 F-pace S - This ones hanging off the list owing to the number of JLR products that go walkabout these days!
The main drawback I could see with the alfa was the tech, that and the QF we wanted to drive we couldn't because the dealer had been waiting 9 weeks for a new battery from Alfa!
Both with either straight six or V6 engines, and 100bhp more (for the Macan).
I've had the X3 M40i, and I'm about to take delivery of a Macan S. Stelvio never even crossed my mind.
I would, however, prefer something that is half decent looking. The X3 M40i misses that criteria by a long shot. The Macan S might just make it onto the list, several places down from the Stelvio.
You want an ICE Alfa for the love of it? You'll but an old one, or a Giulia if you want a new one (or a Quadrofoglio Verde if you're wealthy enough).
With this? If the Tonale is much cheaper to tax and run and there's not enough to stir the soul, why would you? Barring the QV- and that would be a niche choice- anyone interested in driving enough to pay more is unlikely to go for this class of vehicle, no matter how talented it is.
This facelift is commercially dead in the water before it's turned a wheel.
Both with either straight six or V6 engines, and 100bhp more (for the Macan).
I've had the X3 M40i, and I'm about to take delivery of a Macan S. Stelvio never even crossed my mind.
I would, however, prefer something that is half decent looking. The X3 M40i misses that criteria by a long shot. The Macan S might just make it onto the list, several places down from the Stelvio.
What you do get is a far nicer engine that will be more drivable with that extra overtake punch. If I wanted a 4-pot engine, then yes the Stelvio would be a consideration between that, a Macan T and an X3 2.0.
My point was Alfa have room to include a Macan S rivalling power output with a nice V6. But then it would be far more expensive that the Macan S.
You want an ICE Alfa for the love of it? You'll but an old one, or a Giulia if you want a new one (or a Quadrofoglio Verde if you're wealthy enough).
With this? If the Tonale is much cheaper to tax and run and there's not enough to stir the soul, why would you? Barring the QV- and that would be a niche choice- anyone interested in driving enough to pay more is unlikely to go for this class of vehicle, no matter how talented it is.
This facelift is commercially dead in the water before it's turned a wheel.
That and the fact that a Giulia is a Car you ‘love’ to own a Stelvio one that might make more sense to own.
I’ve had both!
The StelvioQF was bought new almost exactly two years ago, and as a factory order with a few nice options, it cost £67k.
At the time, that was extremely competitive, and the compromises with the in car electronics and interior build quality, compared to the X3 and Macan, were happily made - my recollection was that an X3 M40 with the same options, wasn’t too far off the price of the QF at the time, and a Macan Turbo with the performance pack and the same spec would have been something like £25k more.
Notwithstanding the overall price inflation on new cars, I think the facelift Stelvio’s are pitched too high.
The car is at the end of its lifecycle, and I’m sure the economics of production would allow AR to offer the higher spec cars at the lower spec level price. This would give someone who values the driving dynamics (which are excellent) access to a prettier, less obvious option, and deliver AR some much needed volume.
I think very few people will now go for the top of the range four cylinder Stelvio, when they can get into an X3 M40 for the same money, with that sweet six cylinder engine, top end in car electronics and premium interior build quality, in spite of the Alfa’s looks and handling.
Bloomin eck! as they used to say somewhere... A balanced view from someone who's actually owed the car in question....
That and the fact that a Giulia is a Car you ‘love’ to own a Stelvio one that might make more sense to own.
I’ve had both!
Happy to be corrected if you think there's a group!
That and the fact that a Giulia is a Car you ‘love’ to own a Stelvio one that might make more sense to own.
I’ve had both!
Happy to be corrected if you think there's a group!
Also and more importantly the Stelvio drives very much like a Guilia, only at the higher speeds do you really start to notice it’s weight and height. ( it’s doesn’t ride as well either to be fair) I’ve not driven a Tonale but anecdotaly it’s just isn’t as dynamically effective.
I’d love it’s fuel economy though.
Also and more importantly the Stelvio drives very much like a Guilia, only at the higher speeds do you really start to notice it’s weight and height. ( it’s doesn’t ride as well either to be fair) I’ve not driven a Tonale but anecdotaly it’s just isn’t as dynamically effective.
I’d love it’s fuel economy though.
Not only am I not a fan of small engines 1.3l as the true economy figures are often a far cry from what you can realistically get but more importantly.
Tonale - whilst I know how to pronounce it I got it into my head now that it effectively spells toenail!
Its smaller than the Stelvio, it's got a small engine, and its expensive.
I can't see who is going to buy it over very popular similar SUVs from Kia, Acura, Lexus, Genesis, and the Germans...
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