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Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio | Spotted

For a very long time, Alfa Romeo didn't have an SUV - then it made one of the best

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It can be hard to imagine now, with the Stelvio having been around for yonks and proven very popular, that there was a long time that Alfa Romeo didn’t offer an SUV. Whatever form the replacement takes, and whenever it arrives, Stelvio the second surely can’t have the impact - not to say the significance - of the first.

While cars like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 had existed for a good few years and sold well, it wasn’t until the LA show in 2016 that Alfa Romeo decided to embark on its own SUV journey. And the first comment on the PH news story? ‘Oh look, a hideous van-shaped blobby mess with ‘an Alfa nose’ stuck on it’. Of course.

And that wasn’t in response to just the standard car, either, as Alfa chose to launch its own 4x4 with some intent and showed the 510hp Quadrifoglio first. Pretty much the norm these days in a world of 1,000hp-plus electric trucks, but before an X3 M or a GLC AMG it was properly attention grabbing. Whether you liked the look or not, you knew about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio by the end of 2016. 

The standard models were received well, a large step on from any ‘normal’ Alfa that came before, which heightened anticipation for the QF. It duly delivered: there was the same irrepressible energy to the way it drove as the Giulia saloon. The SUV wasn’t quite as good, riding a bit more tensely, though as these sorts of cars go it was a revelation: agile, sharp and alive, never happier than when being driven flat out and demonstrating how clever the Q4 all-wheel drive was. 

Much as with the Giulia, the established competitors had gone from no Alfa rival in decades (or ever, in this case) to going up against one of the best cars in the glass. Maybe the interior wasn’t stellar, but it was more than good enough. And then the Quadrifoglio claimed a Nurburgring lap record… 

Inevitably the impact of a 510hp Alfa SUV has lessened over the years, and as the RRP has climbed - what was £70k at the end of 2018 became almost £90k by early 2024 - so it’s become less recommendable in the face of newer competition. Or has it? The same old Macan carried on until recently, the X3 M was never as nice as a plain old M3, AMG SUVs with four, six and eight cylinder never ride quite right… Paying so much for a Stelvio looks ill advised - the car itself maybe not so much.

Higher mileage ones are already down below £30k; this early 2019 car appeals with Competizione Red paint, sunroof, leather and Alcantara wheel and upgraded audio. Doesn’t look far off that original show car, in fact. Mileage is pretty modest at a bit over 50k, it’s been serviced seven times and there are precious few signs of wear. You’ll probably want those MOT advisories looked at sooner than later but, hey, it’s an Alfa Romeo. Something charisma something flawed something imperfect.

Much as when it was new, the asking price of this Stelvio - £32k - buys all manner of alternatives. But this really is a memorable performance car in all the best ways. Without a successor in Alfa’s immediate future, and with such love for the Quadrifoglios, a good one surely isn’t going to plummet in value. Maybe it will become the winter SUV that sticks around for quite a few…

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SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO

Engine: 2,891cc, twin turbocharged V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 510@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 443@2,500rpm
MPG: 31.4 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 210g/km
Year registered: 2019
Recorded mileage: 52,000
Price new: £69,500
Yours for: £31,989

See the original advert

[Motormouth88]

I’ve lusted after one since day dot, not really a fan of SUV’s but this works for me, love the looks and the fact is has that Alfa charm tickles my pickle, would love this as my winter daily.

[_Rodders_]

I'd prefer the Guilia. They're still strong money in my eyes. I guess it's the badge that's lowering my perceptions of what they should be worth.

[Mouse Rat]

The advantage of the Stelvio over the Giulia is you can drive it in race mode all year round.

[Jte3397]

_Rodders_ said:

I'd prefer the Guilia. They're still strong money in my eyes. I guess it's the badge that's lowering my perceptions of what they should be worth.

I too would prefer the Guilia, based on looks as much as anything. It's the best looking of the saloons. If I was sticking with a SUV, I'd go X3M. I'd actually take a X3M over a M3.

[GreatScott2016]

I’d still take the X3 M40i over this, but it’s still a lovely alternative. Does appear to sit very high in some of the sales photos?

[username_checksout]

Oh look, a hideous van-shaped blobby mess with an Alfa nose stuck on it .

They weren t wrong though, and I say that as a former Stelvio owner. I never stopped seeing it as gawky looking with a hint of Ford Edsel (from the front) and a dumpy blob from the back.

It was great in every other respect, it s a fantastic thing to drive.

Coincidentally I was in the Top Gear audience for the episode where this went up against a Volvo and something else (I forget what). In the film Rory was set up like a kipper; this would have left the others standing. I also recall Rory was very much ignored in the studio. He was there but constantly in the shadows - I felt sorry for him. His road-legal Porsche racer film in Japan was brilliant, he is a great presenter.

Edited by username_checksout on Thursday 12th November 08:01

[Firebobby]

username_checksout said:

Oh look, a hideous van-shaped blobby mess with an Alfa nose stuck on it .They weren t wrong though, and I say that as a former Stelvio owner. I never stopped seeing it as gawky looking with a hint of Ford Edsel (from the front) and a dumpy blob from the back. It was great in every other respect, it s a fantastic thing to drive.Coincidentally I was in the Top Gear audience for the episode where this went up against a Volvo and something else (I forget what). In the film Rory was set up like a kipper; this would have left the others standing. I also recall Rory was very much ignored in the studio. He was there but constantly in the shadows - I felt sorry for him. His road-legal Porsche racer film in Japan was brilliant, he is a great presenter.

Edited by username_checksout on Thursday 12th November 08:01

Fancy someone owning up to watching top gear after the "holy trinity" left!!!

[username_checksout]

The tickets were easy to get and it was an experience, it’s not that deep.

[nismo48]

Not bad for the money, you are getting a nice big 4x4 with all the toys.

[simundo777]

Had a love hate relationship with mine. Loved the looks and felt great having something a bit different. Ridiculously fast and once going, sounded great too.

However at low speeds with the exhaust valves open it sounded awful to me, really synthetic and loud for no reason.

Had a few reliability issues and then got hit with a crazy service bill for the belt replacement. Lets not mention MPG either.

Although they are AWD, they are RWD until it needs it and this gave me a few scary moments on greasy roads and driving it through the winter. I NEVER trusted in on icy roads, which having come from an RS4 felt so secure.

Still miss it though!

[GreatScott2016]

simundo777 said:

Had a love hate relationship with mine. Loved the looks and felt great having something a bit different. Ridiculously fast and once going, sounded great too.

However at low speeds with the exhaust valves open it sounded awful to me, really synthetic and loud for no reason.

Had a few reliability issues and then got hit with a crazy service bill for the belt replacement. Lets not mention MPG either.

Although they are AWD, they are RWD until it needs it and this gave me a few scary moments on greasy roads and driving it through the winter. I NEVER trusted in on icy roads, which having come from an RS4 felt so secure.

Still miss it though!

Great insight, always good to hear first hand from owners

Edited by GreatScott2016 on Thursday 12th November 09:19

[Geoffcapes]

That's a big yes for me.

The only downside for me, is that the boot is a bit on the small side. So doesn't quite work as a family car.

[NGK210]

A revelation on b-roads – is it really an SUV, did Alfa copy the R35 GT-R’s AWD? Generally they’re fab, apart from…

Be aware electrical architecture relies on a cost-cutting single CANbus setup, so if you don’t drive every day to give 12v battery a boost you’ll need to keep it on a trickle charger 24/7.

Contrary to flippant Youtube wisdom, the sole CANbus snafu will not be solved by upgrading to a meatier AGM-type battery. If it were that simple, wouldn't Alfa fit an AGM as OE spec?

Not surprisingly, if you leave a Stelvio or Giulia QV parked at an airport for ~2 weeks, upon return a wee portable battery booster is a must-have.

Similar to the Ferrari 599 and Dodi, Stelvios somehow manage to look more lithe and compact when painted black.

Consider the 2020 update added port fuel injectors to the GDI, ergo 2020-onwards cars will not need regular inlet valve cleaning.

Oh, and in OEM spec both Stelvio and Giulia QVs are alarmingly easy to steal – be sure to research owner-forum solutions and to invest in an apocalypse-grade Disklok or similar.

No frills used buying guide, incl. essential service-history checks, here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B_GvueaDHSE&ra=m

[smilo996]

Offerig nothing more over the saloon or a fast German estate. Like 95% of SUV's.

[CarlosSainz100]

I think these look brilliant, they go well and seem quite reliable.

They can get nicked quite easily, other than that what's the catch?

[NGK210]

smilo996 said:

Offerig nothing more over the saloon
…

Apart from a greater field of vision in town and on rural roads, hatchback plus folding rear seats versatility, a smidge more rear legroom and all-weather 4WD usability, nothing more at all

[stuckmojo]

I want one to replace my Macan but I am terrified about the running costs and reliability.

[nismo48]

It would probably look smarter with silver wheels

[generationx]

Running costs on these 500bhp Alfas is very reasonable. Judging from my near-ten-year ownership of a Giulia Quadrifoglio neither is reliability an issue. One dead battery but it was over six years old (and used as a daily summer and winter) at that point.

Edited by generationx on Thursday 12th November 10:44

[Bilos]

I've had my Stelvio quad for just over 3 years. It's now done 46,000 miles (34,000 in my ownership). 100% reliability and never been on a trickle charger.Servicing is a tad expensive as are running costs, but hey what do you expect from a car with 510bhp and a twin turbo V6.My local Alfa dealer are a pleasure to deal with too.Brilliant car.