2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The rise of the crossover market has practically revolutionized the commuter and luxury vehicle segment. New SUV inspired values were adopted in a wagon’s shell making SUVs more accessible. The luxury crossover market is the evolved version of a rather armature segment, but that doesn't mean the competition is left dry. Other luxury-oriented crossovers like the Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, and Porsche Macan are keeping the Stelvio on its toes.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is crafted from the same values as a compact crossover segment. It was offered in a monochromic all-wheel drive but that changes in 2020, as a rear-wheel-drive option was added to the base Stelvio and Sport. Other trims like the Ti, Ti Lusso, and Ti Sport are only offered in RWD mode. The entire Stelvio line up shares a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 engine except for the Quadrifoglio which has an exclusive powertrain. The base Stelvio homes on a multicity of features that expand with every trim level.

Trim	Alfa Romeo Stelvio	Sport	Ti	Ti Lusso	Ti Sport
MSRP	$41,440	$43,995	$44,195	$46,695	$46,995
Key Features	18-inch wheels	Larger diameter wheels	Front Parking Sensors	Upgraded front seats	Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
	Brembo brakes	Different exterior and interior aesthetics	Heated Fron Seats	Additional leather upholstery and upgraded interior trim	8-Way Power-Adjustable Seat
	Xenon headlights	Paddle shifters and stiffer suspension tuning	8.8-inch touchscreen		Colored Brake Calipers
	Technology features include a large driver information display	Sport front seats with power-adjustable bolsters	Satellite radio		Sport Front Seats
	6.5-inch central touchscreen		Heated Steering Wheel		20" X 8.5" Sport Aluminum Wheels
	Dual-zone automatic climate control
	Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support

We Recommend

Though the base Stelvio is highly capable of satisfying all your needs. However, we would recommend you to go with TI for its heated seats and steering wheels with parking sensors.

“The Stelvio is an SUV for people who love driving. It has a strong and responsive engine, a sporty transmission and engaging handling. It's of the more entertaining SUVs on the road”- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Alfa Romeo roars in the face of these premium SUV’s and shows off its dominance in the most retro way by overpowering the other SUVs with raw power. All trims harbor a similar 2.0L Turbo Inline-four engine backed by the uninterrupted 8-speed automatic transmission. The powerplant cranks out 280 horsepower and 306-pound-feet of torque. The class-leading power makes one of the best crossovers in the market. The engine’s power is linear and uninterrupted every time you depress on the pedal.

Models	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
MSRP	$41,440	$39,200	$42,950	$47,800
Engine	2.0L inline-4	2.0L inline-4	2.0L I-4 Intercooled Turbo	2.0L inline-4 Turbocharged
Transmission	8-Speed automatic	8-Speed automatic	7-Speed automatic	8-Speed PDK automatic
Horsepower	280 @ 5200rpm	285 @ 5700rpm	252 @ 5000rpm	248 @ 5000rpm
Torque(lbs-ft)	306 @ 2000rpm	258 @ 1500 rpm	273 @ 1600rpm	273 @ 1600rpm

The short-shifting 8-speed automatic transmissions may feel a little hard to shift but it gets the job done. The downshifts are pretty quick and sporty on the Stelvio. The Quadrifoglio’s V6 engine defines brute power but that’s a whole different story altogether.

Acceleration

The potent engine bombards the rear or all wheels with all its might without disruption. The engine is responsive and eager to race as you jab the accelerator. The Stelvio zooms from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and hits the quarter-mile light in 14.3 seconds. However, if you are a power-hungry SUV lover, the Quadrifoglio will be a better option.

Models	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
0-60 MPH	5.4 sec	6.5 sec	6.1 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter mile	14.0 sec	15.1 sec	14.5 sec	14.8 sec
Engine	2.0L inline-4	2.0L inline-4	2.0L inline-4 Intercooled Turbo	2.0L I-4 Turbocharged
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.98	4.63	5.95	6.37

Its high power output makes Stelvio the quickest crossover SUV in its price range. Even its Quadrofoglio trim doesn't back away from the action. You will also receive quite a bonus from your state's emission taxes as well. The Porsche Macan may be better than the Stelvio on various fronts but, evidently, performance is not one of them.

Braking

Stelvio's handling is inspiring but its braking is serviceable and nothing impactful. The SUV has a decent set of brakes with front brakes rated at 13-inches and the rear 12.5-inches. You have three options for painting the brake calipers with red, yellow, and black hues. In low speeds, brakes become galoot and are pretty unpredictable. In the panic brake test, the Stelvio halts from the speed of 60 mph in 127 feet, which is decent enough for its class.

Model	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
Brake Front (in.)	13	13.6	13.3	14.2
Brake Rear (in.)	12.5	12.6	13	13
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4044	4210	4045	4099
60-0 MPH (ft.)	127	130	116	137

The brakes feel grabby at slow speeds but on the panic brake test, the Stelvio performs like any other luxury crossover. Other performance-oriented crossovers like the Volvo XC60 takes a few feet more to halt from a speed of 60 mph. The Audi Q5 gets the shortest braking distance due to its excellent Quattro AWD system that grants it more traction.

Ride and Handling

Although it is a crossover, Stelvio’s driving dynamics resemble a hatch’s stealth but at the same time, the weight shows traces of its SUV orientation. The steering is responsive and nicely weighted with a good on-center feel, making it even more fun to maneuver on empty roads. Around the corners, the Stelvio feels planted and heavy, the kind which resists body roll. In the city, the Stelvio is pretty controllable with short shift ratios. It is just as pleasant to drive on the freeway.

Though the All-Wheel-Drive gives Stelvio off-road capabilities, it comes out best on a flat road. It has hill assist but the low ground clearance may keep you from this madness. The ride quality is magical, hardly any noise or bumps penetrate the cabin confirming the engineer's intentions of building a sporty crossover.

Sure the power and strong driving dynamics inspire any car fanatic, but it matters how much money will you need to fuel this fun. In the city, the Stelvio delivers 22 mpg and on the highway, it pushed the envelope to 28 mpg. The transmission tries to maintain the higher gear for better fuel economy numbers. This makes the Stelvio an average crossover SUV in terms of fuel efficiency.

Model	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
MPG (city)	22	19	23	17
MPG (highway)	28	27	27	23
MPG (combined)	24	22	25	19
Tank Capacity (gal)	16.9	18.8	18.5	19.8

It's not the most efficient crossover in the lot but its close to the best and that would be the Audi Q5. Other cars like Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60 are rated at 19 mpg and 22 mpg which makes them trailing the Stelvio for offering fewer miles to the gallon. Regardless, their bigger gas tanks more than make up for it.

“The Stelvio has a good amount of space both front and back. The controls are clearly marked and easy to find, and basic infotainment functions are streamlined nicely. But the settings menus are convoluted. The biggest demerit is poor visibility due to thick roof pillar”- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Modish is the most fitting word for Stelvio’s interior. Largely inspired by the Giulia, the Stelvio is an amalgamation of style and substance. Everything is smartly located and all the switches and nobs are easy to use. However, you will find some plasticky touches and issues with the electronics. Otherwise, the cabin is pretty capacious and the driving position is pretty fair for adults.

The cabin is roomy and is built to harbor 5 people with comfort and it gets the job done. Front seats are carved in leather and are heated and power-adjustable, but you need extra dough to mirror it for the rear. The front cabin is delivered 40.2 inches of headroom and 36.6 inches of legroom which is ideal for a 6-feet-tall adult though too cramped for anyone over that. The rear cabin does not face the space crisis like in other crossovers. It is pretty fair with 38.9 inches of headroom and 31.9 inches of legroom space.

Model	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.2/N/A/36.6	38.0/58.2/41.5	41.7/57.7/40.9	N/A
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/N/A/31.9	38.0/56.3/38.0	39.3/56.5/37.8	N/A

Infotainment

There is a 6.5-inch infotainment screen that is controlled through a rotary knob. The menus are not that easy to track, so it will take a while to get the hang of all the controls. For the 2020 model, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a standard feature on all trims. Upper trim levels upgrade to a bigger 8.8-inch touchscreen that feels much smoother and ergonomic. A few infotainment features on the Stelvio include:

• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Universal Remote Garage Door Transmitter
• USB Port
• AM/FM/HD Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Navigation
• Auxiliary Media Input
• Harman Kardon 8-Speaker sound system

Cargo volume

Though it is an SUV, the Stelvio is not a big fan when it comes to cargo. The standard cargo bay is narrow and deep rather than being wide. This limits how easily the cargo can be boarded. With all seats upright, the Stelvio’s cargo is rated at 18.5 cubic feet, though you can expand the cargo volume to 56.5 cubic feet when folding down the 2nd and 3rd row seats. The cabin utility it not that fantastic either, you have sleek door pockets for bottles, a console, and a glove box.

Model	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	18.5	29.7	26.8	17.7

Strong engine and nimble handling dynamics feel fine but you cannot ignore the practicality of a crossover. Unfortunately, the Stelvio runs low on cargo capacity. While cars like Porsche Macan suffer from the same issue, others like the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5 are much better suited for you if you have a lot of luggage to carry.

Interior Features

• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Leather And Simulated Alloy Steering Wheel
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• Interior Air Filtration
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Rear Parking Sensors

“With hardly a straight line in sight, the 2020  Alfa Romeo Stelvio reminds us that SUVs don’t have to be blocky. The Alfa Romeo name has adorned some of the best-looking cars in history, so it’s no surprise that the 2020  Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a head-turner too” -The Car Connection

Design and Styling

With design largely inspired by Giulia, the Stelvio looks better than its low riding cousin. The trilobed grille looks aesthetically logical on the SUV body than a sedan. All the curves on the Stelvio give these so-called curvaceous SUVs something to look forward to from a designer's point of view. Where the hood looks long and flowing the rear is more muscular with sloping rear windows. The vivid paint schemes sum up the Stelvio with colors like Alfa Rosso Red, Montecarlo Blue, Verde Visconti Green and more. The optional alloy wheels spice up your color choice even further.

Model	Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Porsche Macan SUV
Curb weight (lbs.)	4044	4210	4045	4099
Length(in)	184.6	184.6	183.6	184.9
Width(in)	74.9	78.7	74.5	82.6
Height(in)	66.0	65.3	65.3	63.9
Ground clearance (in)	8.1	8.5	8.2	8.0
Wheelbase (in)	111.0	112.8	111	110.5
Track width (in) F/R	63.5/65.0	65.1/65.2	63.6/63.3	65.2/65

Dimensions and Weight

Weighing over two tons, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a heavy crossover. Despite the weight, it’s a pretty average compact SUV when you factor in the dimensions. Right from the long hood to the muscular tailgate the Stelvio measures 184.6 inches in length and 74.9 inches in width. The height is pretty mediocre as well at 66 inches. The ground clearance is 8.1 inches which limit the Stelvio’s off-road capabilities.

Exterior Features

• Colored Brake Calipers
• Trailer Tow Hitch
• 20" X 8.5" Sport Aluminum Wheels
• 18" X 8.0" Double Y-Spoke Aluminum Wheels
• Dual-Pane Sunroof
• Gloss Red Calipers W/White Script
• 20" X 8.5" Sport 5-Hole Aluminum Wheels
• Gloss Yellow Calipers W/Black Script
• Headlamp Washer

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has not been crash-tested either by NHTSA or by IIHS. This makes it difficult for determining just how safe the car is to drive. Alfa Romeo wouldn't want you to be overly cautious since it provides a lot of advanced safety systems for all trims as standard. Some of the safety features include: 

• 4-Wheel ABS
• Self-Leveling Headlights
• Turn Signal Mirrors
• Daytime Running Lights
• Engine Immobilizer
• Rear Center 3-Point Belts
• Child Seat Anchors
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Headlamp

Volvo XC60 vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Even the Volvo XC60 cannot outrun the Stelvio in terms of power and acceleration. Though it is more sporty rather than being a luxury crossover, the Stelvio is more fun to drive. In terms of cabin comfort, the Stelvio takes the lead again but the germ of inferior quality banks Volvo with more points. Factoring the economy the Stelvio is slightly more fuel-efficient but remains less practical with a smaller trunk to haul cargo in. Both cars are competitive and focus on different aspects, but the XC60 is revived with more features and is a more sensible car if you are willing to sacrifice some performance.

Audi Q5 vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The Q5 may not be as sporty as the Stelvio but its everyday practicality is what magnetizes shoppers to Audi’s showroom. Audi clearly made it more road-friendly than the Stelvio and is a more feature-rich vehicle too. In terms of efficiency and practicality, the Q5 bags more points, plus Audi’s MMI infotainment is more responsive and one of the best in the business for its more intuitive interface. The cargo volume is greater than the Stelvio, further adding to its practicality. Though there is the Quattro AWD, a single-engine option discourages the buyer, which is possibly the only flaw in the Q5.

Porsche Macan vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In terms of deliverables and the overall driving dynamics, there is only one SUV which is onto the Stelvio’s tail, the Porsche Macan. Porsche gave special attention to Macan’s ride quality plus the rich standard feature list adds a cherry on the cake. However, the Stelvio is the compact luxury’s king kong for a reason. The Macan may feel aggressive to drive but it doesn’t match the Stelvio’s potential when it comes to economy, power, and practicality, The Stelvio makes more sense in that regime.

Just like a beauty with brains is hard to find, an SUV which is both good looks and fun to drive attitude is hard to track too. In spite of that, all your searching comes to an end with the Stelvio. In a segment largely focused on practicality and ferrying people, Alfa Romeo put their money on agility. The handling is nimble and power is sufficient for what its intended. The buttery smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox is the major attraction in the powertrain, however, the low cargo volume and average ergonomic numbers make the choice a little less attractive. Overall, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the King of the Ring for the compact luxury crossover segment, so you won’t be displeased with your choice.

FAQs

Are Alfa Romeos reliable?

No. Alfa Romeos are usually not considered as reliable as other cars in their respective segments. The Stelvio is no exception. Since it first began production, there have already been several recalls and customer complaints regarding this crossover SUV.

Where is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio made?

Each and every Alfa Romeo Stelvio is hand-built at Alfa Romeo Cassino Plant located in Frosinone, Italy.

How much can an Alfa Romeo Stelvio tow?

The 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is rated for a maximum towing capacity of 3,000 pounds.

How much does it cost to lease an Alfa Romeo Stelvio?

The cost to lease a brand new Alfa Romeo Stelvio can vary depending on where you purchase the vehicle. On average, it costs $379 per month for 24 months, with a one-time payment of $4,374 due at signing.