Used Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2017-present review

Making a sporty SUV that's good to drive is not as daft an idea as it initially sounds. You see although the focus of an SUV is usually more on style and practicality, with comfort taking precedence over performance and handling, evidence dating back to the 2003-2010 Porsche Cayenne shows that it is entirely feasible to produce such a car that's also sporting in nature.

Alfa Romeo has one of the most romantic of all motoring badges, and, despite it having a long (and chequered) history of characterful family cars and sports cars, the Stelvio, launched in 2017, is its first modern SUV, and it's very much a driver-focused machine.

It’s based on the same underpinnings as the Alfa Romeo Giulia, an impressive executive saloon that rivals cars such as the BMW 3 Series. The Stelvio is slightly taller than its main rival, the Porsche Macan, and a little shorter than the BMW X3. There’s plenty of aluminium in its body and suspension, keeping it light, and plenty of tech underneath, plus the option of rear-wheel drive on the 2.2 diesel with its lower-powered engine, as opposed to the four-wheel drive of all other models in the range.

Talking of engines, there’s the choice of a 197bhp or 276bhp 2.0-litre petrol or a 178bhp (later upped to 187bhp) or 207bhp 2.2-litre diesel. There's also a super-hot version, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Based on the Giulia Quadrifoglio, Alfa’s hot SUV benefits from the same chassis, the same fire-breathing 503bhp 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 and a four-wheel-drive system borrowed from sister company Maserati.

As far as trim levels go, the entry-level Stelvio model gets plenty of kit, including 17in alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, a 6.5in infotainment system (upped to 8.8in after 2020), automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate and automatic lights and wipers. Super models get part-leather seats, a range of interior colour choices, 18in wheels and the option of Luxury or Sport packs. Business models gain sat-nav and xenon headlights, while range-topping Speciale features 19in, 10-spoke alloy wheels with red brake calipers, xenon headlights, power-folding door mirrors and heated leather seats in the front.

From 2020 onwards, the Stelvio received a host of minor tweaks, and the trim range was simplified to just Estrema, Sprint and Veloce, with the super-sporty Quadrifoglio car getting its own bespoke trim. The range was upgraded again in 2022.

You would expect any Alfa Romeo to be competent on the road, and the Stelvio is. In fact, like the Giulia, it’s better than that: it’s really very good. Performance with any of the engines is impressive, while in higher-powered petrol and diesel forms, it’s delightfully responsive and punchy. The only thing to note is that one or two of its rivals are a little quicker, including the Porsche Macan and equivalent Audi Q5.

Meanwhile, the Quadrifoglio version is a humdinger: Alfa claim a 0-62mph time of just 3.8sec, an eye-watering top speed of 176mph and a record-setting Nürburgring lap time of 7min 51sec.

Where the Stelvio really shines is in its handling. It steers remarkably quickly - indeed, it might take drivers a little time to get to grips with it because it’s so darty - and handles with a fluidity that's rare in the SUV class.

It has a firmer ride than its rivals, and this helps with body control in faster or tighter corners; the Stelvio always feels stable and secure, while being surprisingly good fun. The payoff is a ride quality that some will find too stiff - you certainly feel large bumps and potholes - but body pitch and roll are so well controlled that it also means this tall car is less disturbed by sudden changes of direction.

It’s quite refined, too, but once again, one or two of its rivals are even quieter. That said, there are those who might find the extra noise welcome because it provides an air of the sportiness Alfa Romeos have always been renowned for.

Inside is an excellent and multi-adjustable driving position, although rear visibility is slightly limited by the thick pillars and the small rear screen. The dashboard and its surroundings are attractively finished, with sporting touches here and there and a better choice of materials than we’re used to from Alfa Romeo. There is evidence of some cheaper plastics in one or two areas, though, so while it’s an attractive place to be, it can’t quite compete with some of its more premium rivals. The infotainment system, with its wide screen, is logical and easy to use, although it’s not as straightforward as the systems in the Q5 and X3.

There’s plenty of space for a taller driver and front-seat passenger to stretch out, but rear space is limited, especially for six-footers sitting behind a tall driver, and the sloping roofline eats into head room. At 525 litres, the Stelvio’s boot trumps the Porsche Macan’s, but it can’t quite match the X3's. The load area is a usefully square shape with no internal load lip; it’s just a shame that there aren’t more hooks for bags or eyelets to hold loads down. The standard powered tailgate is handy, though.

The Stelvio scored a full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test in 2017, beating the likes of the Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC for adult protection. It’s behind those two rivals for child and pedestrian protection, although it narrowly beats the Q5 for safety assist systems (such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warnings).

Not only is the Stelvio protective in a crash, but it also comes with automatic braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning as standard.

If you're interested in buying a used Alfa Romeo Stelvio, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Used Stelvios cost from around £19,000, this for a 2017 model, petrol or diesel, in Super trim, with an average mileage and a full history, bought from an independent dealer. Spend between £20,000 and £25,000 and you’ll have a selection of 2018 and 2019 models of varying trims and with low mileages, while £25,000 to £30,000 gives you the choice of 2020, 2021 and some 2022 cars with either the lower or higher-powered engines. Used Quadrifoglios will set you back around £40,000.

MPG

Unsurprisingly, it’s the diesel models that are the most economical. The 2.2 180 is the only Stelvio you can get with rear-wheel drive rather than four-wheel drive, and this claims an average fuel consumption figure of 45.6mpg, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 138g/km. The 2.2d 190 averages 47.9mpg. The four-wheel-drive version of the 2.2 180 returns a claimed 43.5mpg, as indeed does the 210 version. The 2.0 petrol 200 and the 280 petrol averages 33.6mpg.

Road tax

All Stelvios will be registered after the tax changes of April 2017 came into force, and therefore will be taxed at the flat annual rate, currently £165 a year. However, beware those whose new price was above £40,000, as these will attract an annual luxury car tax surcharge, currently £355 a year.

Servicing

Insurance groups range from 30 to 36, depending on power output. The Quadrifoglio is in group 50. Servicing costs vary between £170 and £330 for a basic service, depending on engine power and the mileage of the car, and servicing plans are available for used Alfa Romeos, enabling you to pay by direct debit and thus plan ahead for your outgoings.

Engine

In everyday use, the 2.2 210 diesel has plenty of performance and its economy matches that of the 2.2 180, so it’s worth seeking one of these out.

Trims

As far as trim goes, we’d look for Super because this provides the best balance of equipment and price.

Our favourite Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 2.2 210 Super

The Porsche Macan is the smaller sibling of the Cayenne, one of the first sporting and premium-badged SUVs. It delivers punchy performance and almost sports car-like handling. Alas, rear room is tight and the boot’s small.

The Audi Q5 is superbly refined and has a classy and practical interior. Larger-engined models offer all the performance of the Stelvio, but the Q5 doesn't steer or handle with such sporting prowess.

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If you're interested in buying a used Alfa Romeo Stelvio, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.