The Stelvio was gorgeous when it was first introduced, it remains gorgeous and charming in its mature age, managing to convince even the most discerning that it is a genuine Alfa Romeo, capable of delivering plenty of driving pleasure when you ask it to. In the version with the diesel engine that we are testing, it is a unique blend of practicality and luxury.
The observant will easily notice that the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio has a new “trilobo”, the characteristic combination of the independent triangular grille with the two – now triple – lights, a product of the refresh that the large SUV of the famous Italian company underwent a few months ago . Obviously this move is part of the model's integration into the modernized corporate “look”, as we saw it taking shape in the fairly recent Tonale, and also apparently this is not the only “touch” that the Stelvio received in this context.
New technology
When, now, we say “touch” we must clarify that… painting is not limited to aesthetics, but also extends to technology. Seven years after the initial launch of this impressive model, Alfa Romeo has decided to invest heavily in it – and in the area of ”consumer” technology, with a new and fully digital 12.3'' instrument panel, which retains the traditional shape of the two circular instruments (what the Italians call “cannocchialle”) – but it is multi-configurable, offering the possibility of three basic configurations: Evolved (the most modern), Relax (keeps only the elements necessary for driving) and Heritage (inspiration from the good old days/classic dashboard image).
And it is perhaps this panel, in combination with the new multimedia screen in the center of the dashboard that refers to a package of connectivity and infotainment, with the first and best “Alfa Connect Services”, which among other things offer the possibility of online upgrades (“ Over-the-Air”), while providing functions that allow the car to be controlled (locking, unlocking, system control, etc.) remotely, with the help of the driver's mobile phone. This gives the renewed Stelvio also the NFT technology, offering, if the buyer so wishes, an immutable certificate of the history of each specific car, which can be used in the event of resale, “enhancing” its value as a used one.
While it is worth noting that the new triple front lights that we mentioned earlier are not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of substance as they incorporate Full-LED Adaptive Matrix technology with a system for automatically adjusting the lighting beam to the current conditions.
On the move: The smile of success – and happiness
When it's now time to go ahead and take the wheel of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio in your hands, you can't help but let a permanent smile of happiness and confidence form on your face. Something to do with key features of this genuine Alfa Romeo that allow you to be a real operator and not just a… any driver. And we may have driven this impressive SUV not in its top-of-the-range petrol version, but in the 210bhp Stelvio 2.2D Q4 turbodiesel, but even so the Stelvio is still a fast car.
Note that as the maximum torque of the 2.2 turbodiesel engine is increased (470 Nm at 1,750 rpm compared to 400 Nm of the 280 hp petrol Stelvio) the resulting performances are more than remarkable: 0-100 km/h in 6.6 sec, top speed 215 km/h. While the accelerations on the move, even from low revs, are extremely remarkable – an element that facilitates you in your daily commutes, but also when you want to move quickly. We would even add that compared to its gasoline-powered “siblings”, the diesel-powered Stelvio also has the advantage of lower consumption.
A very important element of the turbodiesel Stelvio's personality is, on the one hand, the excellent 8-speed automatic transmission, which offers both comfort during daily commuting, and proper operation during fast driving, but also the possibility for direct, manual/serial changes when you want to get the full control. In the latter case, you resort either to the central selector / Joystick on the console or to the two huge “butterflies” (paddles) on the steering column – which, however, are too large and at times your fingers may hit them when you want to turn on the flash or put in front of the cleaners.
So we are dealing with a very special car, which may be “tall” and theoretically designed to drive comfortably on the dirt, but on the other hand it shows you its best when you find yourself on a winding road, where you can appreciate and take advantage of the extremely dynamic characteristics of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by adjusting its behavior with Alfa Romeo's familiar DNA (Dynamic-Normal-All Weather) rotary switch located on the console right next to your right foot.
EVALUATION (OUT OF 10)
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2.2d Q4 Veloce
MOTOR 9
PERFORMANCES9
consumption 7
ROAD BEHAVIOR 9
DRIVER SATISFACTION 9
COMFORT/SPACES 8
SECURITY 9
FUNCTIONALITY 8
TECHNOLOGY 9
VALUE FOR MONEY 7
total84
The suspension controls the movements of the body in an excellent way and the only thing that will concern you in such conditions is how good the grip is offered by the asphalt carpet itself on which the Stelvio's wheels step. Its own role in what you receive as a driver is played by the Q4 four-wheel drive system, ensuring a truly neutral behavior, with the car thinking that it is permanently glued to the asphalt! We remind you that the Stelvio's Q4 four-wheel drive system “enhances” the dynamic characteristics of the impressive SUV with the active transfer case ATC (Active Transfer Case) continuously redistributing the torque back and forth in record time – just 150 milliseconds. It can transfer up to 50% of the torque to the front wheels. The steering wheel for its part offers high-level information, while the brakes have no problem revealing their power to you. And all this despite the volume (LxWxH: 4,687×1,903×1,632 mm) and the weight of the car (1,660 kg) which are not at all negligible.
The spaces of luxury
But it's not only that it turns like a train, it's not only that it accelerates quickly… The Stelvio also has plenty of luxury to offer you – an element necessary to join the Italian car in the club of premium proposals. Our test car had beautiful leather seats, while high-quality upholstery was present on the dashboard and doors. It is a very neat and quite practical interior with quite a few convenient places for small things – and above all two large and “reliable” cup holders in the center console. In the pros is the fact that both USB and USB-C ports are offered (and indeed not only for the front passenger, but also for the rear passengers).
The passenger spaces are large, there is plenty of space for the rear passengers as well, while the trunk is also large (525 litres) – perhaps one of the largest in the class. The ergonomic pros include the three rotary switches (among them the characteristic Alfa Romeo DNA we mentioned earlier) which are located on the center console and allow a series of settings for both driving and infotainment functions, but also the car in general .
However, we must note that not everything is rosy in the driver's “paradise” since the charming Italian woman also has some whims… These are some incorrect ergonomic choices that are theoretically of minor importance, but in your everyday life they will bother you. A typical example is the small size of the infotainment touch screen, which also means a small size display of the rear from the reversing camera, but also a difficulty in reading the small size indications that for those who have passed 40-45 years of age, who sometimes have to use presbyopic glasses. Visibility to the rear and sides is also quite limited, with the windscreen being narrow and the rear side pillars large.
But these do not change the overall image of the Stelvio, which – we repeat – is not a casual car and is not intended for any consumer who can afford a premium SUV. The person who will buy the Stelvio wants to enjoy driving even when driving leisurely, he also wants to be fascinated every time he approaches his car and admires its design. Based on this reasoning, one can say that it is worth paying the 71,500 euros that our test car costs (the “Veloce” version), even if with this money you have to call this particular Alfa relatively expensive. Note, however, that the basic “Sprint” version of the car is considerably cheaper (it costs 64,500 euros).
specifications
MODEL ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2.2d Q4 Veloce 2024 TIMH €64.500 FEES €102,2
MOTOR 2,143, Turbo, In line FUEL OIL Oil
POWER kW(PS)/rpm 210/3,750 TORQUE Nm/rpm 740/1.750
TRANSMISSION Automatic, 8-speed, automatic four-wheel drive
PERFORMANCES 0-100 in 6.6 sec, final 215 km/h
CONSUMPTION/CO2 5,7 L/100km, 149 g/km
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2.2d Q4 Veloce 2024
FOR BEAUTIFUL DESIGN, EXCELLENT HANDLING, POWERFUL BRAKES, GOOD PERFORMANCE, HIGH BUILD QUALITY.
AGAINST SMALL MULTIMEDIA SCREEN, DIFFERENT ERGONOMICAL LITTLE EFFECTS.
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