The Alfa Romeo Stelvio was out of action for almost two decades and was brought back as the brand’s first crossover SUV. Not much has changed since it was relaunched in 2016. The design is stunning and can give the curviest coupes a run for their money. In the performance spectrum, the Stelvio remains unmatched. Just the brute power in the Quadrifoglio puts its biggest rivals to shame and the nimble handling further amplifies the magic.
Starting from the base price of $80,500 the 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio brings in all the features from the lower trims, and adds to it. However, the Quadrifoglio’s long hood hides a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 cylinder engine mated to a slick 8-speed automatic transmission separates it from the pack. The Stelvio now possesses 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque to play around with.
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Expert Review
6.0
Overall Rating
The luxury crossover market is the evolved version of a rather new segment, but that doesn’t mean the competition is left dry. Other luxury-oriented crossovers like the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 and Maserati Levante are keeping the Stelvio on its toes. Not much has changed since it was relaunched in 2016. There is no difference between 2018 and 2019 either. That doesn't make the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is any less fun.
The Quadrifoglio sits at the pinnacle of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio lineup. The engine harbors Alfa Romeo’s top-of-the-line powertrain, a 2.9L V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine’s power is transferred to all wheels of the car. The standard feature list on the Stelvio may feel desirable but things go greedy on the Quadrifoglio. You get the Driver Assist package as standard on the Quadrifoglio, plus the other safety and convenience features.
Trim
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
MSRP
$41,440
Key Features
2.9L Twin-Turbo V6
505 horsepower
443 lb-ft of torque
20-inch wheels
Brembo brakes
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support
8.8-inch central touchscreen
Xenon headlights
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
Harman Kardon sound system
We Recommend
The Stelvio Quarifoglio is already loaded with everything you may want. Still, we recommend adding in the Sport package for unique interior and exterior accents along with paddle shifters.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV Engine and Performance
“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 one of the more entertaining SUVs on the road” -Edmunds
Engine and Transmission
The base turbocharged engine is a winner on its own but the 2.9L Twin Turbo V6 engine is a conqueror. Backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission, the V6 can muster 505 horsepower and 443-pound-feet of torque. The linear power delivery shows its engine’s aggression with every push of the pedal. The crossover takes no time in hitting 144 mph on an open road. Coming to the engine’s backbone, the 8-speed automatic is the main highlight on the Stelvio. The shifts are pretty quick and calibrated to deliver better efficiency.
Models
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
MSRP
$80,500
$82,900
$77,700
$86,100
Engine
2.9L Twin-Turbo V6
2.9L Twin-Turbo V6
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8
3.0L Twin-Turbo V6
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Tiptronic Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed ZF Automatic
Power
505 hp
434 hp
456 hp
424 hp
Torque
443 lb-ft
405 lb-ft
480 lb-ft
428 lb-ft
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio may be more powerful, yet its transmission is inferior to that of its competitors. The Maserati Levante takes the cake for it, with its lighter 8-speed ZF automatic being far smoother and lighter than the Stelvio's.
Acceleration
There is no impurity with the V6’s power delivery. it has a linear and fast response. As you jab the pedal, the Stelvio rockets into the road and pins you back to the seat. From a standstill, the Quadrifoglio attain 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. On a straight road, the Stelvio hits the quarter-mile light in 12.9 seconds. There is no other luxury crossover which can match the thrill of the Stelvio's straight-line performance.
Models
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
0-60 MPH
3.9 sec
4.2 sec
4.6 sec
5.0 sec
Quarter mile
12.9 sec
13.0 sec
12.8 sec
13.6 sec
Engine Displacement
2.9L
2.9L
4.4L
3.0L
Emission
(Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
10.12
9.78
8.1
12.62
The Porsche Cayenne S comes in at a close second in the quarter-mile drag race. Thanks to its more refined transmission and AWD, it puts its power to use more effectively than the Alfa Romeo. BMW's big engine keeps it from coming last, though it is the car that saves you the most as far as EPA taxes are concerned.
Braking
Probably the only thing where Quadrifoglio does not blow our minds is its braking. The engineers installed a bigger set of brakes then that in the base Stelvio. The front brakes are rated at 14.2 inches and the rear at 13.8 inches, which is fair since the Quadrifoglio is 300 pounds heavier. At low speeds, the brakes are not that predictable but things get better as you accelerate. The Stelvio halts from a speed of 60 mph in 120 feet which is fair but the class has seen better.
Model
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
Brake Front(in)
14.2
15.3
14.4
15.0
Brake Rear(in)
13.8
13.0
13.6
13.0
Curb weight(lbs.)
4360
4802
5095
4650
60-0 MPH (ft.)
120
116
107
113
Almost all the other crossovers in the same price range offer a better braking experience, not just in magnitude. The BMW X5 has the best braking performance despite its heavyweight chassis, thanks to the fly-by-wire braking system that increases brake response during panic stops. Maserati and Porsche belong to the same ballpark as well due to bigger brakes.
Ride and Handling
The crossover segment is largely tied with ferrying people and more cargo than a hatch, but Alfa Romeo had sporty intentions for the Stelvio. The steering feels nice in hand and resembles the one in Giulia with minor changes only true fans would notice. It has a good on-center feel and gives enough response for decent road communication. Traction is another thing where this beauty makes a statement, around the corner it feels planted with minimal body roll.
The All-wheel-drive grants the Quadrifoglio some off-road capability but the low ground clearance keeps it from extreme madness. On a civilized urban environment, the Stelvio delivers a flawless ride. Hardly any noise of bumps infiltrate the cabin keeping it a smooth ride. You won’t be disappointed to buy the Quadrifoglio for daily commuting and highway cruising.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV Fuel Economy
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is fun! But how much money you need to fuel this fun? Not a lot, as the Stelvio is pretty economical for a car powered by 500 Italian horses. In the city, the Stelvio delivers 17 mpg while out on the highway, the number is stretched to 24 mpg. Combined the Stelvio can amass a total mileage of 21 mpg. A 16.9-gallon fuel tank ensures a long, relaxing cruise of the back roads.
Model
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
MPG (city)
17
18
17
15
MPG (highway)
24
23
21
21
MPG (combined)
21
20
19
17
No other luxury crossover SUV has yet matched the Stelvio Quadrifoglio for its fuel efficiency. The Porsche Cayenne S comes close but falls short. The BMW X5 struggles with its excess weight and a bigger V8 engine, both of which hamper its fuel economy.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV Interior
“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
Stylish 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 knobs 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 fair for adults. The seats are carved from Leather and Alcantara with red or white stitching, so you never feel left out in terms of luxury.
The cabin is roomy and is built to harbor 5 people with comfort. Front seats are carved in leather and are heated and power-adjustable, but you need extra dough to get the same for the rear. The front cabin offers 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 rather spacious with 38.9 inches of headroom and 31.9 inches of legroom.
Model
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
40.2/60.2/36.6
39.6/58.9/40.2
39.3/60.5/40.3
40.2/55.8/38.5
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.9/58.6/35.9
37.3/56.2/35.7
37.2/57.9/35.6
39.1/55.9/34.6
Infotainment
There is an 8.8-inch infotainment screen that is controlled through a rotary knob. It is simple to use though still has some lag in response. It will take some time to get a hang of the system. The sound is delivered through a 14-speaker Harman Kardon Premium audio system that features active noise cancellation and smart sound regeneration. For 2019, you get smartphone integration features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features on the Stelvio. Some other infotainment features include:
Bluetooth Connectivity
Auxiliary Cable Input
USB Port
AM/FM/HD Radio
SiriusXM Satellite Radio And Navigation
Universal Remote Transmitter
Keyless Ignition
Proximity Sensing Keyless Entry
Cargo
Though its an SUV, the Stelvio is not big of utility. The standard cargo bay is narrow and deep rather than being wide. This limits the ease with which you can load in cargo. With all seats upright, the Stelvio’s cargo is rated at 18.5 cubic feet. You can expand the cargo volume to 56.5 cubic feet by folding down the middle row seats. The small-item storage is not that fantastic either. You have sleek door pockets for bottles, a console, and a glove box. That's it.
Model
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
Behind 2nd Row (cubic ft.)
18.5
27.1
26.6
19.4
Behind 1st Row (cubic ft.)
56.5
60.3
59.7
57.0
Interior Features
Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
Front And Rear Door Pockets
Leather And Simulated Alloy Steering Wheel
Interior Air Filtration
Heated Steering Wheel
Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
“With hardly a straight line in sight, the 2019 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 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a head-turner too” -The Car Connection
Design and Styling
The majority of Stelvio’s design is inspired by the Giulia. It’s like the same car but forged in the SUV mold. Alfa Romeo’s signature trilobed grille looks better on the SUV design. The curvaceous body is not the segment standard but the brand's intentions on making a beautiful SUV. The hood looks long with flowing streaks while the rear end is more muscle oriented. The colossal color options will spoil you as a customer. These include color schemes like Verde Visconti Green, Alfa Rosso Red, Montecarlo Blue and more.
Model
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne S
BMW X5 xDrive50i
Maserati Levante S
Curb weight(lbs.)
4360
4802
5095
4650
Length(in)
185.1
191.1
193.8
197.0
Width(in)
77.0
78.7
78.3
77.5
Height(in)
66.3
67.0
67.0
66.1
Ground clearance(in)
8.1
6.6
7.8
9.7
Wheelbase(in)
111.0
114.0
115.5
118.3
Track width(in) F/R
61.2/63.3
64.7/65.2
64.7/67.2
63.9/66.0
Dimensions and Weight
The base Stelvio weighs over 2 tons and the Quadrifoglio is even more jacked up. The dimensions are pretty average and ideal for a compact crossover, the length is rated at 185 inches, width at 77 inches and height at 66.3 inches. The wheelbase is rather short giving it a short turning radius and making city driving easy. The 8.1-inch ground clearance limits Stelvio’s off-road capabilities.
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not undergone any third-party crash testing. This makes it hard for determining the crashworthiness of the SUV since Alfa Romeo has not had a pleasant experience as far as safety is concerned. Regardless, the car has a strong chassis complemented with several safety systems that do just enough to prevent you from getting into serious trouble. These are not as numerous or as advanced as any BMW, though.
Safety Features
4-Wheel ABS
Self-Leveling Headlights
Turn Signal Mirrors
Daytime Running Lights
Adaptive Cruise Control
Rear Center 3-Point Belts
Child Seat Anchors
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
Electronic Stability Control
Emergency Braking Assist
Dusk Sensing Headlamps
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Traction Control
Front And Rear Parking Sensors
Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Headlamp
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV Competition
Porsche Cayenne S vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Porsche Cayenne was updated and made better this year, all the miniature issues were ironed out and you have an exciting SUV on the offer. However, Stelvio is Alfa in its own league and Porsche’s hefty price and power ratio make their offer less intriguing. The Quadrifoglio, on the other hand, offers more power off the bat. Class-leading performance wrapped around magnetic styling is what you get on the Stelvio. While Porsche also happens to get both rights it still suffers from bad pricing decisions. It's better to get the Stelvio and keep the remaining cash for other add-ons.
BMW X5 vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Speaking of deals the Beemer has got you a better one. When pitted against the Quadrifoglio the X6 might lack power but it makes optimum use of all 445 horses by delivering nimble handling dynamics and comfortable ride quality. However, the rare cabin is plagued by the sloping roofline by cutting down on headroom. The traits of mileage are mirrored on each car while BMW trumps practicality with a well-planned cargo bay. As a buyer specific deal, the BMW X6 emerges superior in terms of deliverables and the overall deal.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV Final Verdict
All in all, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is more keen on delivering ride quality but has sidelined everything else. Other aspects like the economy and practicality are either average or lower than the segment standard. So, if you want a compact crossover and prioritize performance over everything else then the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the car to go with.
FAQs
Is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio AWD?
Yes. Most of the Stelvio trims by Alfa Romeo have an option for RWD and AWD. The Quadrifoglio is AWD-only.
What does "Quadrifoglio" mean in English?
"Quadrifoglio" is Italian for "Four-Leaf Clover". It is a symbol of good luck in most European cultures. The name pays tribute to the green in the Alfa Romeo badge as well. It is also a pointer to the car's four-wheel-drive powertrain.
Are Alfa Romeos reliable?
No. Alfa Romeos are notorious for being unreliable. Over 40% of owners claim their drivetrain warranty within the first two years of purchase. The mechanical components, especially the driveshaft and suspension, are the ones that break down the most.
How fast is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio can do 60 mph from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and a quarter-mile run in less than 13 seconds. It has a top speed of 144 mph.
Is Alfa Romeo owed by Ferrari?
Alfa Romeo is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a conglomerate that included a lot of performance manufacturers in Europe. Until January 2016, Ferrari was part of the same. Ferrari separated just before an announcement that it would celebrate its 70-year anniversary in March independently as Ferrari N.V.
