Here it is, then. Alfa Romeo's first ever SUV, the new Stelvio. Is anybody remotely surprised that Alfa has succumbed and made an SUV? Nope, not a chance.

Question is, is it any good?


Sure looks good...

Oh yes, if there's one thing Alfa knows how to do, it is to make beautiful cars. And as much as we lampoon SUVs for being boring, uninspired money-churning boxes on wheels, there's no doubting the Stelvio's gorgeous design.

It takes inspiration from the Giulia, sure, but that's a pretty damn good template to draw from, in our eyes. With its curvaceous sheet metal and tastefully crafted details, the Stelvio is easily one of the best-looking SUVs in the market right now.


What's it like inside? 

Inside the Stelvio, things are quite a lot less sexy. The brown leather offsets the largely monochromatic equipment, but overall the cabin is a lot less exciting than how the car looks from the outside.

Equipment-wise, the Stelvio is adequately equipped with enough modern amenities. You can connect your iPhone and access Apple CarPlay, which allows you to use your phone's navigation services.

Build quality isn't quite so good, though (yeah, yeah, Italians, you know). There are some detectable rattling noises within the cabin, and the fit and finish just isn't quite up to par with the Germans.


What's it like on the road?

On the road, the Stelvio demonstrates a level of dynamic capability rarely found in its class. The steering is connected and direct, allowing you to attack corners with gumption. The suspension is also well-sorted - body roll is well-managed, and the car has a directness to it that will please any keen driver.

In many ways, it doesn't feel like your typical SUV. Yes you sit a little higher than usual, but it feels connected to the tarmac in a manner more reminiscent of a hatchback. 


Powering this Stelvio is a 2.0-litre engine producing 198bhp and 330Nm of torque. It's perky enough, but don't expect monstrous speeds (you want the Quadrifoglio variant for that).

The engine is punchy in the low to mid-range, though there's not much oomph left at the top end. We must admit, however, that it doesn't sound too fantastic.


So does it succeed as an SUV?

In many ways it does. It does a lot of the SUV things you want a typical family SUV to do - it's spacious, higher-riding than your normal sedan, comfortable for every day use, etc.

The Stelvio also does some things most SUV in its class do not - namely, it's actually pretty fun to drive. You actually want to drive the thing, something we rarely say about SUVs.


But perhaps the question you should really be asking is, does it succeed as an Alfa? It most definitely does. It's drop dead gorgeous, fun to drive, and makes you feel quite special. Isn't that why you buy an Alfa?

Also read our comparison article on:
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super vs Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.0 First Edition