Alfa Romeo, a premium Italian car brand, returned to the U.S. market in 2008 after a 13-year absence, initially featuring sporty cars.
But the brand’s U.S. offerings now include the Stelvio five-passenger midsize crossover, which was added for model year 2018.
The Stelvio has the signature Alfa V-shaped mesh grille also found on the 4C sports car and the Giulia sedan. Stelvio is named after the highest mountain pass in Italy, which rises to 9,000 feet.
Four trim levels are offered for the 2022 model year, the Sprint ($45,550, plus $1,595 freight; or $46,575 for 2023), Ti ($51,160; or $52,185 for 2023), Veloce ($52,300; or $53,325 for 2023), and the ultra-luxury Quadrifoglio ($86,850; or $88,175 for 2023).
For 2023, the new Estrema model ($59,825) has joined the lineup just above the Veloce.
The Veloce model, which we tested for this report, was added for 2022, replacing the previous year’s Ti Sport trim level. Alfa Romeo parent Stellantis says the Veloce offers a “performance gateway” into the Stelvio lineup, and “complements the luxury-focused Ti trim.”
Updates for 2022 included new standard advanced driver-assistance technology, as well as safety and convenience features across all trim levels, the manufacturer says.
“Born from the world’s greatest driving road, the Stelvio Pass, the 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio delivers performance, design and technology in an SUV that could only come from Italy,” the company notes.
These vehicles are “crafted by Alfa Romeo artisans at the Cassino plant in Italy,” and are “infused with Italian passion, craftsmanship and innovation,” the description continues.
Stelvio Sprint, Ti and Veloce models come with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine used in the Alfa Giulia sedan, with 280 horsepower and 306 foot-pounds of torque.
It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on all Stelvio models.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio features a Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with 505 horsepower and 443 foot-pounds of torque. It also comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 176 mph.
Our test vehicle, Veloce, included the AWD package ($1,800), which added sport leather seats with eight-way power-adjustable front bucket seats with side bolsters, along with a body-color appearance kit, limited-slip differential, spo0rt rear diffuser, Miron Black V Scudello Grille, gloss-black window moldings, aluminum interior trim, and aluminum paddle shifters on the steering column.
The most expensive option on our tester was the Ocra GT Tri-
Coat exterior paint ($2,200), a light yellowish-brown color.
We also had the Premium Interior and Sound Package ($1,975), which brought a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system, and a leather dash and upper door panels.
An Active Assist Plus Package ($1,595) gave us lane-keep assist, Intelligent Speed Assist, Highway Assist with Traffic-Sign Recognition and Traffic Jam Assist, Driver Attention Alert, and Active Blind Spot Assist.
Special 21-inch, dark five-hole aluminum wheels with all-weather tires added $1,000 to the sticker.
While the Quadrifoglio model is like a rocket on wheels, you really don’t need to spend $80,000-plus to get a well-equipped, fun-to-drive Stelvio.
The high-powered version is a lot more fun on the track, of course, but the lower-powered models are no slouches. Alfa says the Stelvio with the four-cylinder can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 144 mph. We didn’t attempt to verify the top speed, but the zero-60 time is pretty accurate.
Just like the Giulia sedan, the Alfa Stelvio turns heads wherever it goes. It was hard to stop anywhere without having people coming up to ask about it.
Stelvio features nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, and the optional steering-column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters allow the driver to shift the transmission manually.
Other standard amenities include the Alfa DNA drive mode selector, class-exclusive carbon fiber driveshaft, dual exhaust outlets with bright tips, high-performance adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights with automatic high-beams, signature LED daytime running lights and LED taillights, backup camera, front and rear park assist, remote start, passive entry with Keyless Go, a power liftgate, rain-sensing front wipers, and a flat-bottom heated/leather steering wheel with integrated pushbutton start.
The Alfa DNA Drive Mode Selector lets the driver choose the driving behavior. Choices include Dynamic, for sharper brake and steering feel with more aggressive engine, transmission and throttle response; Comfort, for normal daily driving; and Advanced Efficiency, designed to provide the best fuel economy.
Safety and advanced driver-assist features include Full-speed Forward Collision Warning, which provides automatic braking, to slow or bring the vehicle to a full stop if a frontal collision appears imminent; Adaptive Cruise Control, with full stop; and Lane Departure Warning.
Other safety technology includes Blind-spot Monitoring, and Cross-Path Detection. Stelvio also comes with advanced driver and front-passenger air bags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side air bags; front and rear side-curtain air bags; and driver and front passenger inflatable knee air bags.
Among other standard features even at the base Stelvio price are a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster screen, heated/power/folding outside mirrors, sport suspension, an audio system with a 6.5-inch screen and eight speakers, an ambient interior lighting package, auto-dimming rearview mirror and dual-zone automatic climate control. Keyless entry and pushbutton start are standard, with the start/stop button placed in the lower right corner of the steering wheel.
We found the front bucket seats to be quite comfortable. In the rear, two people could sit comfortably in the outboard positions, with a third person riding not as comfortably in the middle. The rear seat has a 40/20/40 fold-down feature to extend the cargo storage capacity.
Besides the twin-turbo 505-horsepower engine with its 443 foot-pounds of torque, the Quadrifoglio model also comes with a carbon fiber hood, roof and rear spoiler, adaptive performance suspension; DNA Pro with Race Mode; torque vectoring; a carbon fiber active-aero front splitter; carbon fiber interior accents; 3-D navigation; and more.
Fuel economy was better than we expected on our test vehicle, which had EPA ratings of 22 mpg city/28 highway/24 combined. We averaged about 23.7 mpg, even with some spirited driving.
Our vehicle came with the black-on-black interior combination.
The cargo compartment has 18.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, which expands to 56.5 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded down.
Total sticker price for our 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce AWD was $60,665, including freight and options.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.
2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The package: Midsize, five-door, five-passenger, all-wheel-drive, turbocharged inline four-cylinder or V-6, gasoline-powered premium crossover utility vehicle.
Highlights: New four years ago, the Stelvio is Italian premium brand Alfa Romeo’s first SUV for the U.S. market. It seats five and has a variety of luxury features, including a leather interior. It’s fun to drive, with great acceleration even with the base four-cylinder engine, and excellent roadhandling. All-wheel drive is standard on all models.
Negatives: Rear seat better suited for two adults than three; no third-row seat available for added passenger capacity.
Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, turbocharged; 2.9-liter V-6, turbocharged (Quadrifoglio model).
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic.
Power/torque: 280 HP./306 foot-pounds (I-4); 505 HP./443 foot-pounds (V-6).
Length: 184.6 inches; 185.1 inches (Quadrifoglio).
Curb weight: 4,044 pounds; 4,360 pounds (Quadrifoglio).
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, Brembo, antilock.
Electronic stability/traction control: Standard.
Side air bags: Side-curtain for both rows.
Cargo capacity: 18.5 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 56.5 cubic feet (rear seatback folded).
Towing capacity: 3,000 pounds.
EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg city/28 highway/24 combined (I-4); 17/23/19 (V-6).
Fuel capacity/type: 16.9 gallons/unleaded regular; premium (Quadrifoglio).
Major competitors: BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Jaguar F-Pace, Porsche Macan, Lexus RX 350; Infiniti QX50.
Base price range (2022): $45,550-$86,550, plus $1,595 freight.
Price as tested: $60,665, including freight and options (Veloce).
On the Road rating: 8.6 (of a possible 10).
Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actu