A revised version of Alfa Romeo’s executive SUV has arrived in Mzansi. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio facelift hopes to lure some customers away from (primarily German) premium marques with a blend of engaging dynamics and a full-house spec – could it succeed?
What is it?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio – one of 2 models based on the (then FCA) rear-wheel drive-Giorgio platform – was conceived to revitalise the historic automotive brand that was founded in Milan in 1910. If head-turning looks, a thrilling driving experience and sheer desirability were the Stelvio and its Giulia business-class sedan sibling’s only pillars of success, the brand achieved its objective.
But it’s never that simple, is it? Although Stelvio and Giulia were impressive products (especially in their flagship Quadrifoglio guises), neither model garnered substantial sales – at least not to the premium-market-disrupting level the late Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief Sergio Marchionne hoped they would.
Here is a bit of context for you… Throughout 2022, Alfa Romeo sold just over 100 Stelvios in South Africa. While we won’t have comparative data for the Italian SUV’s BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC rivals, we know that Audi sold 73 units of its Q5… in May 2023 alone. So, what’s holding the Stelvio back? Why are consumers reluctant to purchase one of the market’s most stylish executive SUVs?
Unfortunately, there are too many possible explanations: The Alfa Romeo line-up is limited to 3 models; the Stelvio’s been on sale for 5 years already and isn’t marketed intensely; plus, the Italian brand’s reputation for indifferent after-sales back-up, iffy reliability and poor resale values seems to linger.
Still, under Stellantis (which manages 6 brands in the local market, including Fiat, Jeep, Opel, Peugeot and Citroen), Alfa Romeo is experiencing a small resurgence; the Tonale (the brand’s boutique compact crossover) is already on South African roads and there are more models in store. Stellantis has a diverse line-up of products, which means it can minimise the development and production costs of new models through platform sharing – hopefully, the Italian brand will indeed be able to keep its head above water.
But back to the Stelvio, which is positioned against the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC60; while the Three-Pointed Star’s model is new, the others have, like the Alfa, been around for a while. The 2023 update is effectively a model-year refreshment, but the Stelvio is arguably still a more fun-to-drive proposition than its rivals, courtesy of driver’s car-like characteristics such as a carbon-fibre prop shaft, limited-slip differential and 50:50 weight distribution.
What’s on offer?
There are 2 derivatives in the line-up of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio facelift: the 2.0T Veloce Q4 (which you see here) and Quadrifoglio (also with Q4 all-wheel-drive, but powered by a 375-kW 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6), which will be hitting showrooms later this year.
You can distinguish the 2023 model from the version that was last updated in 2021 by the triple-barrel lighting signature of the newcomer’s adaptive LED headlights (as on the Tonale), new-look tail lamps and a slightly revised grille. Inside, there’s a new digital instrument cluster and other minor detail changes.
The Stelvio 2.0T Veloce Q4 is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces peak outputs of 206 kW and 400 Nm. As before, the executive SUV utilises a slick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission (the same ZF-sourced unit found in many BMW models) to distribute torque to all 4 wheels.
Performance-wise, the Veloce is said to sprint from 0 to 100 kph in just 5.7 sec and run to a top speed of 230 kph. But, there’s much more to the car than just straight-line sprints and eye-catching good looks.
Why? Because the entry point to the Stelvio is far from “entry-level”. For R1 205 500 (the same price as the pre-update version), the derivative’s standard spec is comprehensive. Customers have 6 colours to choose from and interestingly, Alfa Romeo SA says the only option is a sunroof. Highlights include:
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster & 8.8-inch infotainment screen
- Apple Carplay/Android Auto, USB A/USB C ports, Wireless charging pad
- Heated seats & heated steering wheel
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather sports seats
- Powered tailgate
- 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
- Front/rear parking sensors
- Adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking
- Tyre pressure sensors
- Auto headlights/wipers
What is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio facelift like to drive?
Our launch route took us on some of the finest roads in the Western Cape. Full Stop. If you’re a driving enthusiast, it’s well worth experiencing the R44 to Pringle Bay and the R320 from Caledon to Hermanus.
As before, the driver of a Stelvio 2.0T Veloce Q4 has 3 drive modes to choose from: Dynamic, Normal, plus All-weather and the difference between Dynamic and Normal is quite remarkable. Dynamic mode increases the throttle responses, sharpens the steering and it’s up to you to change the gears. The all-wheel-drive setup is rear-biased and it’s such an integral aspect of the Stelvio’s on-road demeanour.
Indeed, even 5 years after making its debut, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio delivers deeply impressive on-road dynamics. The SUV’s handling balance and road holding are superb, which we attribute to the 50:50 weight distribution and, bear in mind that the Stelvio is notably lighter than its German equivalents.
We have no hesitation in declaring that the Stelvio’s quick steering setup is one of the finest in the Executive SUV segment; it offers a near-perfect combination of weighting, feel and directness.
The Stelvio’s handling is decidedly un-SUV-like – it delivers driver engagement and -enjoyment (despite its highish centre of gravity) and feels more akin to a sporty sedan than a family-sized gravel traveller.
The cabin has some lovely touches and quirks (no car of Italian descent is complete without them), such as the engine-start button on the steering wheel, comfy leather-trimmed sports seats and the crisp digital dashboard, which has a cool retro theme that’s a nod to the classic Alfa Romeos of yesteryear.
Granted, those tall gearshift paddles look over the top, but there’s a great bonus to their size. Although they are mounted to the steering column (as opposed to the tiller), your fingertips can still easily reach them if you decide to change gears while the ‘wheel is turned – plus, they feel pleasingly substantial.
Flaws? Well, there are a few. The downside to the Stelvio’s (relatively) nimble handling and rolling on large (20-inch) wheels is a ride quality that is a touch too firm on asphalt roads in average condition. Given the model’s sportiness, you’d expect an evocative soundtrack, but the Veloce emits no more than a dull 4-cylinder drone at full throttle; gear shifts are not punctuated by engineered exhaust pops either.
The Quadrifoglio, by contrast, howls gloriously. Still, if you drive the Veloce in a restrained manner (while its default drive mode is engaged), you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how refined the powertrain is.
Lastly, members of the tech-obsessed generation may find that the infotainment touchscreen in the Stelvio is too small. While we’re not asking for an iPad-sized panel (here’s looking at you, Mercedes-Benz), something a bit larger would be notably more user-friendly. Despite big improvements in finishes and build quality, you also get the impression that the Stelvio can’t quite match its German competitors.
How much does the Alfa Romeo Stelvio cost in South Africa?
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T Veloce Q4 | R1 205 500 |
The electric sunroof is a R20 000 option. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio facelift is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty as well as a 5-year/100 000 km service plan.
New Alfa Romeo Stelvio Specs & Prices in South Africa
Summary
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio continues to impress – there’s no executive SUV in the new-vehicle market that’s quite as engaging to drive… at this price point. You could opt for a Macan, but once you’ve specced the entry-level Porsche to match the Veloce’s features, it’d be a few hundred grand pricier than the Italian.
Not only is the Stelvio an absolute pleasure to drive quickly, but it has no problem portraying the family-SUV role. Its cabin and load-bay dimensions are on par for the segment, plus its standard equipment list (including the suite of advanced safety features) offers virtually everything buyers may want at this level.
Yes, even buyers who favour heightened driver engagement (not the majority in this segment, we know) will need to make a leap of faith to choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio over a handful of safe and predictable models from more established premium marques, but if you’re willing to go for something different, that is achingly pretty and guaranteed to deliver more “smiles per mile”, then the Alfa Romeo is worth look.
