Wednesday 19th March 2025

All-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio edges closer

The electric Alfa SUV will be a production reality next year - here's your first look

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No mainstream manufacturer line-up is complete these days without an electric family-sized SUV. There’s the gaggle of VW MEB cars (including those with Ford badges on them), the Blue Oval’s own Mustang Mach E, the Hyundai-Kia-Genesis triplets, the Nissan Ariya, the Peugeot E-5008, the Ren… you get the idea. Before even thinking about BMW’s next iX3, previewed by the Neue Klasse X concept. So the electric Alfa Stelvio won’t be short of a rival or two when it arrives in 2026. 

This is the first we’ve seen of the new SUV built on the STLA-Large architecture, in the form of official winter testing snaps from Alfa. The prototype cars, assembled at the Mirafiori facility (production cars will come out of Cassino), are in Arjeplog at minus thirty to fine-tune longitudinal and lateral dynamics when it’s slippery. 

Certainly the Stelvio looks to oversteer like a thoroughbred, but then ice is a very flattering surface for silliness. And batteries down in the belly of the beast has made for quite a few smart handling family buses of late. Alfa says that each test car will be subjected to 1,000 hours of this real-world assessment, following on from virtual and sim testing. 

That’s just for low-grip handling; after Arjeblog will come blatting around Balocco and on-road figuring in more temperate climes. Plus, encouragingly, 1,000 hours dedicated purely to the ADAS software. So maybe it won’t be a total irritant. We can but hope. 

The Stelvio will then be off for ‘mileage accumulation’ in hot weather ahead of being officially unveiled at the end of the year. Lots to pack in, then, but also the kind of investment required to be competitive in this sector. Alfa may well have the new Porsche Macan in its sights as well, for example, because this Stelvio is almost certain to be more expensive than its predecessor - currently from £46k-£57k with the normal non-Quadrifoglio petrol and diesel. The electric Porsche is from £68,500. 

As for design, Alfa Romeo isn’t saying anything for the moment From here it looks like the new Junior may influence the front end design, and the silhouette is perhaps a little more coupe-esque than the outgoing Stelvio. Aerodynamic performance will of course be even more of a priority with range a primary concern. What can be seen of the rear looks more familiar from the Stelvio we know, though again it would be daft to draw any firm conclusions just yet. Expect to find out more as that debut date at the end of ‘25 nears. 

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• All-electric Alfa Giulia confirmed for 2026
• 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio | PH Review

[flight147z]

I'm amazed Alfa are still going given the current state of the automotive market and their seeming lack of any USP which will only get worse in a BEV world

[TA14]

Great to see that Alfa seem to be avoiding the Lancia route

[Newc]

A list of Alfa Romeo's attributes which enthusiasts hold in great respect, in order:


Fabulous racing heritage
(Some) gorgeous designs
One of the all time great V6 engines
Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to humble 1.4l shopping carts
.
.
Everything else
.
.
Quality of the electrical systems

[griffsomething]

I know it’s covered in camo but the presumably fixed light placement looks like yet another generic crossover style of drls light bar up top, then main lights right at bumper scuff placement.

Would be nice if I’m wrong and this look a little more unique, as an Alfa should be.

[Wadeski]

Really wondering if BEV is the move, unless they have given up on the US.

[Terminator X]

Just what we need another 2.5t monster!

TX.

[Harry_523]

Newc said:

A list of Alfa Romeo's attributes which enthusiasts hold in great respect, in order:


Fabulous racing heritage
(Some) gorgeous designs
One of the all time great V6 engines
Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to humble 1.4l shopping carts
.
.
Everything else
.
.
Quality of the electrical systems

Good thing they're now only in charge of:
Fabulous racing heritage
(Some) gorgeous designs
Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to an electric SUV

[jay-kay-em]

Harry_523 said:

Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to an electric SUV

If an electric SUV is fizzing call the Fire Service.

[Wab1974uk]

It's got sales disaster written al over it.

[ManyMotors]

I have trouble with names of Italian Stellantis vehicles. I also have trouble with German make names. Fortunately, that does not matter.

[Julian Scott]

Newc said:

A list of Alfa Romeo's attributes which enthusiasts hold in great respect, in order:


Fabulous racing heritage
(Some) gorgeous designs
One of the all time great V6 engines
Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to humble 1.4l shopping carts
.
.
Everything else
.
.
Quality of the electrical systems

Is that not very 1980s though? I had 3 Alfas in the 1990s (145 Cloverleaf, 156 V6 and GTV 3.0 V6) and then went back with a Giulia QF from 2017 for 5 years. I didn't have a single issue with electronics or electrical systems in any of them (nor rust, using another generation-old stereotype).

Dealers were still shockingly dreadful, but the cars were all perfect.

[flight147z]

Julian Scott said:

Newc said:

A list of Alfa Romeo's attributes which enthusiasts hold in great respect, in order:


Fabulous racing heritage
(Some) gorgeous designs
One of the all time great V6 engines
Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to humble 1.4l shopping carts
.
.
Everything else
.
.
Quality of the electrical systems

Is that not very 1980s though? I had 3 Alfas in the 1990s (145 Cloverleaf, 156 V6 and GTV 3.0 V6) and then went back with a Giulia QF from 2017 for 5 years. I didn't have a single issue with electronics or electrical systems in any of them (nor rust, using another generation-old stereotype).

Dealers were still shockingly dreadful, but the cars were all perfect.

Would you buy one of the these though? It's not really got the same DNA as your past alfas!

[Julian Scott]

flight147z said:

Julian Scott said:

Newc said:

A list of Alfa Romeo's attributes which enthusiasts hold in great respect, in order:


Fabulous racing heritage
(Some) gorgeous designs
One of the all time great V6 engines
Applying that undefinable Italian fizz even to humble 1.4l shopping carts
.
.
Everything else
.
.
Quality of the electrical systems

Is that not very 1980s though? I had 3 Alfas in the 1990s (145 Cloverleaf, 156 V6 and GTV 3.0 V6) and then went back with a Giulia QF from 2017 for 5 years. I didn't have a single issue with electronics or electrical systems in any of them (nor rust, using another generation-old stereotype).

Dealers were still shockingly dreadful, but the cars were all perfect.

Would you buy one of the these though? It's not really got the same DNA as your past alfas!

I wouldn't buy another Alfa because of the dealers!!

But, I'd wager Alfa have a decent chance at making a more entertaining EV than many.

[The Pistonsdead]

Good fun drifting that I'm sure..

[Lil_Red_GTO]

Honestly, who wants an Alfa Romeo SUV? Not many people, surely. If you just want an SUV there are plenty of mainstream brands you can pick who will probably make a better job of it, and if you are an alfista and appreciate the brand's heritage, this sort of thing must be anathema to you. I can't see this flying off the shelves. They should stick to handsome coupes or saloons and semi-affordable convertibles and sports cars. Or maybe do a Jag and go upmarket. It might not work, but Alfa SUVs certainly won't.

[flight147z]

Lil_Red_GTO said:

Honestly, who wants an Alfa Romeo SUV? Not many people, surely. If you just want an SUV there are plenty of mainstream brands you can pick who will probably make a better job of it, and if you are an alfista and appreciate the brand's heritage, this sort of thing must be anathema to you. I can't see this flying off the shelves. They should stick to handsome coupes or saloons and semi-affordable convertibles and sports cars. Or maybe do a Jag and go upmarket. It might not work, but Alfa SUVs certainly won't.

I love Alfa but 100% agree. Don't see any reason to buy this at all and I don't think they have long left

[Julian Scott]

Lil_Red_GTO said:

Honestly, who wants an Alfa Romeo SUV? Not many people, surely. If you just want an SUV there are plenty of mainstream brands you can pick who will probably make a better job of it, and if you are an alfista and appreciate the brand's heritage, this sort of thing must be anathema to you. I can't see this flying off the shelves. They should stick to handsome coupes or saloons and semi-affordable convertibles and sports cars. Or maybe do a Jag and go upmarket. It might not work, but Alfa SUVs certainly won't.

You've not read any of the reviews of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio then?

[Square Leg]

Lil_Red_GTO said:

Honestly, who wants an Alfa Romeo SUV? Not many people, surely. If you just want an SUV there are plenty of mainstream brands you can pick who will probably make a better job of it, and if you are an alfista and appreciate the brand's heritage, this sort of thing must be anathema to you. I can't see this flying off the shelves. They should stick to handsome coupes or saloons and semi-affordable convertibles and sports cars. Or maybe do a Jag and go upmarket. It might not work, but Alfa SUVs certainly won't.

I did.
I had a Stelvio QV and it was one of the best cars I’ve ever had, and I’d have another over any other SUV.
But I wouldn’t have one of these new ones.

[Lil_Red_GTO]

Julian Scott said:

You've not read any of the reviews of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio then?

No I haven't. Just not interested. But then I'd never buy a Macan either and I'm sure they're very good cars too. I'll stick with the memories of the 3.0 V6 Spider and 3.0 GTV that I once had and cross my fingers for Alfa's future survival.

[Portofino]

I love Alfa Romeo, but I think the advent of BEV will mean a homogenising of brands coupled with the blandness of EV.

Not good for the romantics.

What will differentiate the cars? How it looks doesn’t cut it when the same whatever kwh motor is in it & many others.