We recently spent a few days in the company of an Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV and came away with the following impressions.
- It is a looker. No matter which angle you approach it from or who is looking at it, feedback on the Stelvio’s appearance is positive. It’s incredible to think that Alfa Romeo has not produced an SUV in its entire, century long, existence. Somehow the Stelvio seems to have all the sex appeal and slinky good looks we’ve come to expect of the Italian marque. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the test unit was in signature Alfa red. It is also a lot larger in person than it appears in pictures.
- The interior treatment needs some work. Alfas of old were characteristic in their cabin layouts and treatment. Somehow the Stelvio has moved from quirky to middle of the road. Inside it looks and feels quite generic, dare we say Germanic, in execution. That, in itself, is not a bad thing. A more middling approach will help attract new buyers to the brand. While the design and layout works a treat, the quality of materials used feels a little low rent for a vehicle competing at this price point. The colour infotainment screen isn’t high-res and the rotary controller (a la all its German rivals) lacks solidity.
- It rides extremely well. In part thanks to plump tyre sidewalls the Stelvio has a ride quality that trounces many of its rivals. Tyres aside, one can feel the engineering expertise that went into honing the “Giorgio” platform, on which the Stelvio is based, for this application. Incidentally, it is the same platform used for the Giulia sedan and will underpin several upcoming Dodge, Jeep and Alfa products.
- It’s fun to hustle. Somehow Alfa’s suspension engineers have managed to endow the car with a well-judged ride and given it a sporty edge. Reconciling these two is never easy as they sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. During the loan period, I took the Stelvio away from the city confines to give it a proper workout. Chucking it through a set of, medium- and high-speed corners really highlight its dynamic prowess. In fact, it feels to me very much like a junior Porsche Cayenne. At the moment there is only one engine option in the Stelvio range. A 2,0-litre turbocharged inline four delivers a class-leading 206 kW and 400 N.m. All Stelvio models sold locally will feature all-wheel drive. When coupled with the eight-speed transmission the motor’s power and torque output add to the vehicle’s sporty demeanour.
- It’s no longer an “also ran”. Typically, when the media has referred to Alfa products, the Italian offering was a left-field choice. Quirky ergonomics, a lack of space or standard specification made buying one a compromise. This isn’t the case with the Stelvio. It is a real contender at this end of the market. It offers all that its main rivals do, and a bit extra in the form of an alluring shape and that Alfa crest on the bonnet.
Click here to read about Lamborghini’s first SUV.
Summary
It took a while before Alfa Romeo offered an SUV, some may say too long. While the likes of Audi, BMW, Merc and just about everyone else has been capitalising on the popularity of the genre, Alfa has been losing out. It’s first attempt hits all the right marks. If you can live with the interior treatment (I certainly can) and want a capable SUV that stands out, then look no further than the Stelvio.
Price: R817 900
Engine: 2,0-litre turbocharged inline four
Transmission: eight-speed auto, AWD
Max power: 208 kW
Max torque: 400 N.m
Top speed: 230 km/h
0-100 km/h: 5,7 sec
Fuel consumption: 7,0 L/100 km
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJHN_LNNzog&list=PLfw_isEyHQQH-fmJyEqVvTVEXAg1oCYcL
Nice review. I like that criticism is constructive and not dismissive. As we have owned six Alfas over the years, this is a treat to drive, hasn’t lost its sporty, racy drive and handling but a lot better quality wise. Interior acceptable but could be improved.