The verdict
A struggling compact luxury suv, strong on driving and held back by ownership.
Overall 1.73 (C-) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is driving experience at 3.52 (A-), its weakest cost of ownership at 0.00 (F). 5 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Driving Experience
- Value & Market Position
- Use-Case Fit
What holds it back
- Cost of Ownership
- Efficiency & Range
- Space & Comfort
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio
2.79B-
BMW X3Compact Luxury SUVThe Stelvio out-steers the X3 and matches its base-engine acceleration while undercutting it on price, but the X3 counters with more rear legroom, ~10 cu ft more max cargo, a 4,400-lb tow rating, available mild-hybrid and PHEV powertrains, and dramatically better predicted reliability and resale value.
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2.74B-
Audi Q5Compact Luxury SUVBoth are compact luxury SUVs with standard AWD in the low $50k range; the Stelvio offers sharper handling and a quicker 0-60, while the Q5 wins on cabin material quality, back-seat space, cargo volume, PHEV availability, dealer network, and long-term ownership costs.
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2.72B-
Mercedes-Benz GLCCompact Luxury SUVThe GLC has moved to a larger touchscreen, hybrid-assisted powertrains, and a plusher, quieter cabin — clear wins for comfort and daily livability — while the Stelvio counters with more communicative steering, more standard content at a lower base price, and a more driver-focused character.
CompareHow it's evolved
9 scored model years · 2018–2026
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 50 | 45 | 59 | 37 | 24 | 44 | 64 | 61 | 79 | 61 |
| 2025 | 51 | 43 | 57 | 41 | 39 | 61 | 55 | 57 | 76 | 63 |
| 2024 | 54 | 41 | 43 | 42 | 14 | 56 | 56 | 59 | 81 | 73 |
| 2023 | 55 | 38 | 51 | 41 | 23 | 62 | 56 | 57 | 81 | 66 |
| 2022 | 53 | 47 | 71 | 39 | 30 | 58 | 53 | 58 | 79 | 71 |
| 2021 | 55 | 49 | 54 | 40 | 28 | 47 | 51 | 59 | 78 | 74 |
| 2020 | 55 | 43 | 56 | 41 | 29 | 46 | 55 | 59 | 79 | 75 |
| 2019 | 55 | 44 | 42 | 39 | 32 | 40 | 39 | 56 | 73 | 75 |
| 2018 | 55 | 41 | 43 | 39 | 43 | 43 | 36 | 56 | 80 | 82 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainGrades below the middle of the scale.1.63D
The volume 2.0-liter turbo engine produces a strong 280 hp; the low-volume Quadrifoglio raises the model-range maximum to 505 hp.
The standard turbo four's 306 lb-ft is healthy output for a compact luxury SUV and arrives across a broad low-rpm plateau.
An instrumented 5.4-second run makes the mainstream Stelvio notably quick, while the Quadrifoglio is substantially faster.
Reviewers consistently praise the turbo four's responsive throttle, smooth delivery and eager character, though isolated testing notes some low-speed hesitation.
The ZF eight-speed delivers quick, smooth and decisive shifts, with manual mode and available fixed aluminum paddles adding excellent driver control.
The 3,000-lb ceiling is useful for a small trailer but modest by SUV standards.
Q4 AWD is optional on Sprint and standard on Ti, Veloce, Competizione and Quadrifoglio; its active transfer case preserves rear-drive character and can send up to half of torque forward.
Q4 AWD, hill-descent control and roughly eight inches of clearance support snow and graded-road use, but there is no low range, locker, skid-plate package or dedicated trail trim.
Two genuinely distinct gas engines cover mainstream and extreme-performance buyers, but there is no hybrid, plug-in hybrid or EV Stelvio for 2024.
2Efficiency & RangeOne of the Stelvio's weakest categories.0.69F
The mainstream AWD 2.0-liter configuration earns 24 mpg combined; the base RWD configuration improves by one mpg.
Both driveline versions of the standard turbo-four receive the same 22-mpg EPA city rating.
The volume AWD model achieves 28 mpg highway, one mpg below the RWD Sprint.
A 16.9-gallon tank and 24-mpg combined rating yield an EPA-listed 406-mile range, adequate but not exceptional for an SUV.
Premium fuel and middling economy make the Stelvio relatively expensive to fuel despite its four-cylinder engine.
Premium gasoline is required across the gas lineup, imposing a persistent cost penalty and offering no regular-fuel flexibility.
3SafetyGrades near the bottom of the scale.0.89F
NHTSA did not publish an Overall Vehicle Score for the 2024 Stelvio, and no completed overall rating is available from an earlier model year of this generation. Zero is used as the required numeric sentinel for an unrated vehicle, not as a zero-star crash result.
The 2024 Stelvio has no IIHS crashworthiness results and no Top Safety Pick award. Its old five-star Euro NCAP result is encouraging but cannot substitute for current U.S. IIHS tests.
The volume Ti includes AEB/full-speed forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and lane-departure warning as standard. True lane-keep assist is optional in Active Assist Plus, so the standard suite misses one key element of a comprehensive modern package.
Full-speed forward-collision warning with active braking and pedestrian detection is standard, but IIHS has published no vehicle-to-vehicle or pedestrian avoidance performance result for this Stelvio generation. Equipment breadth earns partial credit, while unverified nighttime pedestrian performance keeps it out of the upper bands.
Blind-spot warning and rear cross-path detection are standard, giving the volume trim useful alert coverage. Corrective-steering Active Blind-spot Assist is optional with Active Assist Plus, and rear automatic braking or safe-exit assistance is not documented.
Lane-departure warning is standard, but the volume Ti needs an option package for Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Highway Assist. The available system can center the vehicle when engaged, but the standard vehicle provides warnings rather than steering support.
Adaptive cruise provides full-speed following and is standard, a meaningful strength for the volume trim. Integrated Traffic Jam and Highway Assist are capable but require Active Assist Plus, preventing an upper-band score for the representative configuration.
No hands-free highway-driving system was offered for the 2024 Stelvio. Highway Assist is a hands-on Level 2 support system, not an Alfa equivalent to Super Cruise or BlueCruise.
The 2024 facelift brings standard 3+3 full-LED adaptive-matrix-style lamps and automatic high beams, a substantial equipment upgrade. IIHS has not tested their real-world illumination, and U.S. cars do not use the full glare-free matrix functionality, so a Good-equivalent rating cannot be assumed.
The elevated seating position and conventional two-box roofline provide generally usable forward views, but rear-quarter blind zones remain and the volume trim relies on blind-spot alerts and a rear camera rather than comprehensive standard surround-view coverage.
Two outboard lower-anchor positions and three top tethers are clearly marked under covers, but rear-facing seat fit can consume front-passenger space and the center lacks lower anchors. The unchanged cabin's dedicated car-seat check found awkward anchor placement and infant-seat space compromises.
4Space & ComfortOne of the Stelvio's weakest categories.0.78F
The volume Stelvio is a two-row, five-seat SUV.
Front headroom is solid for a compact luxury SUV.
The published SAE figure is unusually short, though reviewers find the driving position comfortable.
Second-row headroom is competitive despite the sloping roof.
Rear legroom is tight for the segment and limits adult comfort.
There is no third row.
Cargo room behind the rear seat is well below compact-SUV norms.
Maximum volume just clears the bottom of the SUV normalization band.
Everyday cubbies are average, but the phone slot, driver-side tray, removable console tray and flat cargo sill add utility.
Front seats are exceptionally supportive, though tight rear legroom prevents a class-leading whole-cabin score.
The ride is firm and controlled yet filters most impacts, even on large wheels.
Noise isolation is acceptable rather than luxury-leading, with some road and engine sound entering the cabin.
Heated front and rear seats, heated wheel, dual-zone climate and rear vents are unusually generous standard equipment; ventilation is not offered.
5Cost of OwnershipThe Stelvio's lowest-graded category.0.00F
The refreshed 2024 U.S. lineup opened with the rear-drive Sprint; this is the year-specific launch price including destination.
TrueCar identifies Veloce as the most popular trim, so its published all-in MSRP is used as the representative volume configuration.
Edmunds' trim-specific projection puts combined maintenance and repairs well above the SUV normalization band, reflecting luxury-car service and repair expense.
CarEdge projects unusually steep five-year depreciation for a typically equipped Stelvio, consistent with the nameplate's weak used-market performance.
Alfa's basic coverage is typical for a luxury marque, exceeding mainstream 3/36 plans but not the longest premium coverage.
The 2024 Stelvio has no separate powertrain warranty extending beyond Alfa's 4-year/50,000-mile comprehensive term, trailing the five-year SUV baseline.
The 2024 loses the prior one-year complimentary service plan, leaving roadside support and a one-year connected-services trial as useful but modest perks.
$54,445 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (32.9% retained, or about $17,912) leaves about $36,533 in depreciation. Add the projected $11,472 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $48,005 in total.
6Reliability & QualityMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.78C-
The mature Stelvio earned a strong J.D. Power result, but that result carries forward prior-year data and Consumer Reports lacks enough owner data for a prediction. A poor showing in another large owner survey prevents treating the J.D. Power score as conclusive.
Alfa Romeo does not have the survey volume or consistent high placement needed for an average-or-better U.S. brand score, and its international survey performance is bottom-tier. The brand was omitted from Consumer Reports' 2024 ranking for insufficient data rather than receiving a favorable rank.
Three recalls are more than ideal, including two defects that can materially reduce crash protection or visibility. The campaigns are broad supplier/electronics issues rather than evidence of repeated engine or transmission failures, while the tire-label campaign affects a narrower configuration.
The volume 280-hp 2.0-liter turbo and ZF eight-speed had been in Stelvio service since the generation's launch, so 2024 is not an unproven powertrain year. The widely used ZF automatic is a strength, but the turbocharged MultiAir engine and Q4 hardware have a less reassuring long-term reputation than the segment's best proven drivetrains.
Leather, attractive design, and excellent aluminum shift paddles provide genuine luxury touches, but reviewers repeatedly find hard or lower-grade plastics that trail compact-luxury rivals. The 12.3-inch digital cluster added for the U.S. 2024 refresh modernizes presentation without materially upgrading the underlying cabin materials.
The 2024 model's strong segment-leading prior-year initial-quality result supports generally sound assembly, though reviews and owner feedback still cite inconsistent trim quality and occasional fit-and-finish complaints. It is respectable rather than class-leading for a luxury SUV.
Dealer experience scores around average, but national coverage is sparse and was contracting, making convenient warranty and specialist service difficult outside major markets. That is a substantial ownership disadvantage versus BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Acura.
The low-volume imported model has limited aftermarket depth, costly specialist labor, and parts access tied closely to a small dealer network. Projected five-year repairs and maintenance are high even for the volume four-cylinder Veloce, so this is a clear weakness.
7Technology & InfotainmentMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.78C-
The sole center screen is small for a 2024 luxury SUV.
The rotary controller helps, but slow responses and small icons make the aging Alfa Connect system frustrating.
Both projection platforms are standard, but multiple hands-on U.S. reviews identify the connection as wired rather than wireless.
Navigation is standard, but late prompts and poor voice recognition encourage owners to use phone projection.
An adequate eight-speaker base system is standard and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade is available.
The refresh adds a crisp standard 12.3-inch full-digital cluster with three layouts.
The connected infotainment platform supports software/map updates, but there is no evidence of feature-adding whole-vehicle OTA updates.
The app covers the important remote functions but lacks phone-as-key and relies on connected-service subscriptions/trials.
Wireless charging, three front USB ports, two rear USB charging ports and an available 115V outlet are generous, though not all ports are fast USB-C.
Passive entry, push-button start, remote start and a hands-free power liftgate are standard, though phone-as-key is absent.
A rear camera and front/rear sensors are standard, but no surround-view camera or automated parking system is offered.
No head-up display is offered, even on the Quadrifoglio.
8Use-Case FitOne of the Stelvio's strongest categories.1.97C-
Standard LATCH, split-fold seating and a low cargo sill help, but 31.9-inch rear legroom and 18.5-cu-ft cargo space constrain bulky seats and strollers.
AEB, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-departure warning are standard, but fuller lane-centering/traffic-jam assistance costs extra and no current U.S. crash score is established.
Excellent front seats, heated rear seats and a controlled ride help, but tight rear legroom and small luggage space are meaningful four-person-trip compromises.
Strong visibility, supportive seats, compact dimensions and responsive controls work well daily, though quick steering and occasional infotainment lag demand attention.
The AWD volume trim returns only 24 mpg combined and requires premium fuel, making commuting relatively expensive.
Its compact 184.6-inch footprint, good forward visibility and standard parking sensors are helpful, but the lack of a surround camera limits tight-space ease.
A 3,000-pound tow rating and strong 280-hp turbo engine permit light duty, but the small cargo hold is not suited to serious work.
The luxury-focused cabin and Alfa's limited fleet/work reputation make it a poor abuse-oriented tool despite a stout chassis.
Roof rails and a 115V outlet offer modest utility, but there is no meaningful upfit ecosystem, washable cabin or work-focused cargo hardware.
Supportive seats, composed ride and roughly 473 highway miles per tank make it a good driver-focused tourer, though road noise, tight rear space and optional advanced assists cap the score.
Standard AWD on the volume Veloce, 8.1-inch clearance, roof rails and a 3,000-pound tow rating suit gravel roads and light outdoor use, not technical trails.
A 40/20/40 folding rear seat, roof rails and hitch capability add flexibility, but 18.5/56.5-cu-ft cargo volumes are small.
9Driving ExperienceThe Stelvio's best-graded category.3.52A-
Responsive turn-in, excellent body control and a balanced chassis make the Stelvio one of the segment's dynamic benchmarks.
Quick, light and accurate steering gains weight progressively under load and is exceptional for a crossover.
Stopping performance is strong, though the brake-by-wire pedal can feel artificial.
The 280-hp turbo four and quick eight-speed deliver eager, accessible response, with minor low-speed/start-stop polish short of the best six-cylinders.
The turbo four is audible but has an engaging raspy character rather than objectionable coarseness.
The turning diameter is manageable but not especially tight for a compact SUV.
Supportive multi-adjustable seats, excellent forward visibility, column-mounted paddles and physical controls create a driver-centered cockpit.
Few compact SUVs combine this much steering immediacy, chassis balance and powertrain character in the volume trim.
10Value & Market PositionOne of the Stelvio's strongest categories.2.97B-
The Sprint packs unusually broad luxury and safety equipment into the base trim, including leather, heated front and rear seats, navigation, wireless charging and major active-driver aids.
A 280-hp base powertrain, excellent chassis and generous equipment make the Stelvio compelling near $48,000, though cramped packaging, dated 8.8-inch infotainment and weak resale blunt its long-run value.
Sprint, Ti, Veloce, Competizione and Quadrifoglio provide a meaningful ladder from value to exotic performance, with RWD or optional AWD on Sprint and AWD above it, though option flexibility is less extensive than German rivals.
U.S. acceptance deteriorated sharply: 2024 volume was barely one-quarter of the nameplate's 2018 level and the Stelvio fell behind Alfa's newer Tonale.
Alfa Romeo supplies authentic Italian design and enthusiast cachet that makes the Stelvio feel special, but a small dealer footprint, uneven ownership reputation and poor resale keep it below the strongest luxury brands.
Low sales and lingering inventory made substantial discounts and negotiability common, delivering strong immediate buyer benefit even while signaling weak demand and contributing to depreciation.
The underlying 2018-generation vehicle was aging, but the U.S.-market 2024 facelift added contemporary lighting, revised fascia and a 12.3-inch digital cluster, making it current-looking without erasing redesign risk.
Reviewers consistently celebrate its steering, chassis, powertrain and style, but rarely choose it as the complete class winner because practicality, cabin finish and technology trail newer competitors.
