Alfa Romeo has shaken up the mid-sized premium SUV segment with this Stelvio model. Should you want one? Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version.

Ten Second Review

This Stelvio model is, according to its maker, very much an Alfa Romeo first and an SUV second. That sounds promising, as does the fact that most of the engineering here is shared with the brand's well-regarded Giulia saloon. The result should be a premium mid-sized SUV well able to mix it with class favourites, especially in this lightly revised form.

Background

Will any brand be able to resist the allure of the growing SUV market? It doesn't appear so. We live in a time when even Ferrari and Rolls Royce feel the need to produce such a thing, so it is perhaps surprising that it took Alfa Romeo quite so long to join this lucrative band wagon. Still, join it they did in 2017 with this car, the Stelvio, named after the famous European mountain pass. This was the car that the Milanese marque hoped would give it an important foothold in the profitable segment for premium mid-sized SUVs currently dominated by cars like BMW's X3, Jaguar's F-PACE, Audi's Q5, Volvo's XC60 and the Mercedes GLC. And the Stelvio has sold steadily in this segment since launch, hobbled only by an interior that from launch, lacked the quality to really rival other premium brand models. So that's been addressed as part of this light facelift.

Driving Experience

There are no significant changes to this improved Stelvio beneath the bonnet - which is surprising given that most rivals are now offering various degrees of electrification. Still, thanks to perfect 50/50 weight distribution, Q4 all-wheel drive architecture, a best in class power-to-weight ratio and innovative engine and driver technologies, the Stelvio embodies everything a true Alfa Romeo should. Not only that, but this Italian contender remains one of the lightest mid-size SUVs in the sector thanks to lightweight body structure and a carbon fibre driveshaft. The suspension sees a double wishbone set-up feature at the front, with a multi-link axle at the rear. Plus the Stelvio continues to serve up plenty of Alfa character, with petrol variants featuring a soundtrack that Chief Engineer Roberto Fedeli says was created working in concert with musicians, who helped perfect this SUV's addictive engine note. Most sales will continue to be of the 2.2-litre 210hp diesel Q4 AWD model, which registers a top speed of 134mph and accelerates from zero to 62mph in 6.6 seconds. The alternative 2.0-litre 280hp turbo petrol Q4 AWD model sprints from zero to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds and onto a top speed of 143mph. An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is standard across the range and both versions can be ordered in top-spec 'Competizione' form, which will see your car also equipped with Alfa's Active Suspension system. As before, at the top of the range, there's a 2.9-litre V6 petrol-engined Bi-Turbo Quadrifoglio performance model boasting 520hp and 600Nm of torque. It's 4WD of course and gets to 62mph in just 3.8s. As before, the range features a limited amount of 'Level 2' semi-autonomous driving tech - things like 'Lane keeping assist', 'Active blind spot' assistance, 'Active cruise control', a 'Traffic jam assistant' and 'Driver attention assist'.

Design and Build

This improved Stelvio doesn't look too much different from the outside. The headlamp units now feature three individual lights and can offer adaptive LED Matrix technology. The signature 'Trbolo' triangular grille gains a fresh paint finish, the rear tail light clusters become transparent and sporty 'Competizione' models sport twin exhaust pipes. Otherwise, things are as before, which means that this SUV sits on the same 'Giorgio' platform used for the brand's mid-sized Giulia compact executive saloon. The brand makes much of the Stelvio's 'premium' architecture, which has made it possible to use copious amounts of aluminium and develop high-cost features like a carbonfibre propshaft. As a result of all this, this Alfa's very light by class standards, weighing in around 125kgs less than a comparable Jaguar F-PACE, itself a supposedly light SUV in this class. It was the interior that always let this car down a little in comparison to its premium rivals, so that's where the main emphasis has been directed for this minor facelift. There's a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be configured in three different styles 'Evolved', 'Relax' and 'Heritage'. This complements an 8.8-inch centre-dash infotainment screen. As before, there are a wide range of accessible storage compartments, as well as a wireless 'phone charger. And lovely stitched leather for the auto gearstick and three-spoke sports steering wheel, which accommodates the functions for the autonomous driving systems. As for practicalities, well as before the Stelvio offers decent rear seat room and a long, usefully shaped 525-litre boot. The rear seats can be semi-released from the tailgate end, but only semi-released; when you pull on the levers that do this, the backrests don't fully move forward and you have to push them into place, which is annoying. Still, once you've done than, everything folds flat into the floor.

Market and Model

As before, most Stelvio models will be sold in the £50,000 to £60,000 bracket, with the top Quadrifoglio version demanding around £87,000 from you. there are three mainstream trim levels - 'Sprint', 'Veloce' and 'Tributo Italiano'. All models feature wheels of at least 19-inches in size, leather upholstery, a heated sports steering wheel, a rear parking camera, all-round parking sensors and electrically folding wing mirrors as standard. As well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and keyless entry. Media is taken care of by an infotainment system with an 8.8-inch touch-screen, 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring and embedded connectivity. You can also tick off Active Cruise Control, plus you get a 'Traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed advisor' package and a 'Traffic Jam & highway assist' feature, as well as Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning, and rear parking sensors. Customers also get 'Alfa Connected Services' as standard, to deliver advanced on-board connectivity and a set of services to boost safety and comfort. This includes a 'My Assistant' function offering an SOS call option that enables the occupant to send a request for assistance to a call centre, with the vehicle's position and identification code, by pressing the SOS button or via the mobile app.

Cost of Ownership

Despite the lack of any sort of electrification, both mainstream Stelvio engines still look reasonably efficient. The best WLTP figures you'll get are of course from the 2.2-litre 190hp diesel, which manages up to 47.1mpg and 156g/km of CO2. The 2.0-litre 280hp petrol model manages 33.2mpg and 191g/km. And the 280hp petrol Q4 AWD variant returns up to 23.9mpg on the combined cycle and emits 267g/km CO2. The figures quoted assume selection of the 'Advanced Efficiency' 'DNA' system driving mode, which softens off the throttle response to give better fuel consumption. There's a graphic fuel consumption display in the instrument binnacle TFT read-out. And there's an 'Efficient Drive' eco-coaching set-up on the centre-dash infotainment screen that grades the frugality of your progress based on three criteria - 'acceleration', 'deceleration' and 'gear changing'. Okay, so what else do you need to know about the running costs of this Italian contender? Well, it comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty that includes 'Roadside Assistance' for the same length of time, should you be unlucky enough to break down. It's not likely that you will. Despite what some might assume about Alfa Romeo, customer surveys suggest that the brand's reliability record is no worse than that of its premium German rivals. Finally, we'll tell you that Non-Fungible-Token (NFT) technology is now available on the Stelvio. The technology is based on the concept of the blockchain card, an encrypted and non-modifiable digital register where the main information on each car gets recorded. Based on the customer's selection, the NFT generates a certificate where data on the vehicle's life gets recorded. This certificate can be used to guarantee proper vehicle preservation and support its residual value. The NFT certificate provides a further source of credibility which helps the owner or reseller, but also reassures the buyer in the choice of a used vehicle.

Summary

In its original form, the Stelvio represented a very decent first stab by Alfa Romeo at the premium mid-sized SUV segment. It wasn't quite as polished as other contenders in this class but it felt a bit more special - which was enough to sway a small but significant number of buyers its way. Originally though, these people had to be prepared to overlook a cabin that rather lacked the quality one might expect from a £50,000 premium SUV. Connectivity tech standards weren't quite up to the class standard either. Now that these things have been put right, the Stelvio looks better set in this segment. The engine note, the styling and the look and feel of the cabin are all completely different to what you'd get from any other car in this sector - and all the better for it. If you like the thought of that and find yourself in this part of the SUV market, then we think you'll probably like this car.

Body Glass

Automatic rain sensing wipers

Rear wash/wipe

Heated washer jets

Front and rear electric windows

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electronic parking brake

Anti-slip regulation

Hill descent control

Electronic stability control

Autonomous emergency braking

Traction control

Carpets/Rugs

Front/rear floor mats

Communication

Apple car play/Android Auto

Wireless charging pad

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Traffic sign recognition (TSR)

Active cruise control

Front and rear parking sensors

Driver attention alert system

Lane keep assist

Lane departure warning system

Alfa connect box

Active blind spot assist

Rear view camera with dynamic grid lines

DNA unlatched

Driver Convenience

Stop/start system

Remote tailgate release with key fob button

Steering wheel buttons

Power tailgate

Driver Information

European maps

Alfa Connect 3D Nav 8.8" Infotainment system (radio, 3D Nav, MP3, aux-in, bluetooth)

Alfa connected services

12.3" Full TFT instrument cluster

TMC Pro

Trip computer

Driving Mirrors

Electrochromatic rear view mirror

Electrochromatic autodimming outside rearview mirrors

Electrically adjustable and folding door mirrors

Exterior mirror finishing

Engine

Diesel particulate filter

Entertainment

DAB digital audio broadcast

2 USB Power socket for rear seat

USB and Aux in armrest

Exterior Body Features

Fuel door solenoid locking with doors locking

Rear side wing doors

Dark matt exhaust tips

Belly pan

Alfa romeo assistance sticker

Dark miron scudetto (shield)

Dark finish V grille

Exterior Lights

LED rear lights

Full LED matrix trilobe headlamps

Darkened rear lights

Exterior door handle courtesy lights

LED third brake light

Auto high beam assist

Automatic headlights with dusk sensor

LED daytime running lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Rear air vents

Dual zone auto temp control with humidity sensor

Air quality control system

Interior Features

Roller cover for cargo area

Aluminium front kick plate

Aluminium interior inserts

IP Driver storage

English handbook

Aluminium shift paddles on steering column

230V/50hz auxiliary power outlet in trunk

Dark headlining

Sport leather steering wheel

Aluminium sports pedals

Sports leather gear knob

Interior Lights

Interior ambient lighting

Functional LED lighting

Safety

Driver and passenger airbags

Passenger airbag deactivation system

Tyre pressure monitoring system

3 rear 3 point seatbelts

Front seat mounted side airbags

SOS - Emergency Call Button

Manual child lock in rear doors

Rear seat ISOFIX

Seats

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Front head restraints

Third rear headrest

Rear headrests

Security

Driver and front passenger doors with passive entry and keyless go

Immobiliser

Alarm system with bonnet and intrusion protection

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels

Monotone wheel centre caps

Wheels - Spare

Tyre inflation kit

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

HC: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 160

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders: 4

Gears: 8 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Compression Ratio: 15.5:1

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 2143

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Camshaft: DOHC

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 99

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 83

Number of Valves: 16

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 46.3

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.1

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 34D

Service Interval Mileage: 12000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: 60

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 210

Badge Engine CC: 2.2

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 1

Coin Series: Sprint

Coin Description: D 210

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 8

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 6.6

Top Speed: 134

Engine Torque - MKG: 47.9

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 210

Engine Power - KW: 154

Engine Power - RPM: 3500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 347

Engine Torque - NM: 470

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/55 R19

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Style: 5 HOLE

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Tyre Size Rear: 235/55 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): N

Height: 1632

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1903

Wheelbase: 2818

Length: 4687

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2410

Minimum Kerbweight: 1745

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 58

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2300

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 665

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 525

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1600

Max. Roof Load: 75

No. of Seats: 5

Body Glass

Dark tinted rear windows

Brakes

Red painted brake calipers

Exterior Body Features

Special paint

Pigmented colour technology

Tinted clear coat paint

Electrically operated sunroof

Special solid paint

Metallic paint

Packs

Premium pack - Stelvio

Driver assistance (ADAS) pack - Stelvio

Premium interior and sound package - Stelvio

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Misano blue

Metallic - Vulcano black

Metallic - Vesuvio grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alfa red

Paint - Special

Tinted clear coat - Etna red

Special - Montreal green

Special solid - Banchise White

Towing

Power folding trailer tow hitch

Trim - Cloth

Faux leather/cloth - Black with dark grey stitching

Trim - Leather

Premium pack with Leather - Black with dark grey stitching

Premium pack with Leather - Red with red stitching

Wheels - Alloy

21" 5 Hole dark finish alloy wheels

20" Dark 5 petal design alloy wheels