Alfa Romeo Stelvio review

Once upon a time, the ‘S’ in SUV stood for ‘sport’, and there are few SUVs that better embody that than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Based on the lively Giulia saloon, the Stelvio bucks the trend of manufacturers giving heavy, wallowy beasts the SUV moniker.

The Stelvio has been around since 2017 and has received occasional tweaks to improve refinement. Over the years, several special editions were also introduced in order to add an air of exclusivity, but the overall design of the Stelvio has remained pretty much unchanged. What all Stelvio models promise is a great driving experience – indeed, Alfa claims that the latter is the first priority with its cars; the actual dynamics being only second on the list – but don’t tell the Stelvio that. So should Porsche be worried? 

All models get an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, with only the entry-level diesel getting the option of rear-wheel drive – all other engines come exclusively with four-wheel drive. CO2 emissions are competitive, too, making the Stelvio worth considering for company car buyers.

Well, the on-paper stats certainly look good, promising sharp responses, good overall balance and a choice of strong engines. There’s also plenty of room for passengers and a boot capacity that’s in line with competitors such as the Porsche Macan and BMW X3.

But is the Stelvio just a pretty face or is it truly sporty? Read on to find out how it drives, how spacious it is and which trim level we feel gives you the best value for money. 

If you’ve made your choice by the end of this review, make sure to head on over to our New Car Buying section for a great deal with no need to haggle.