With all of the sporty mid-size crossovers available, why should anybody buy a crossover from Alfa Romeo. It’s probably most famous for the Spider sports car Dustin Hoffman drove in The Graduate. Like its iconic sports cars, there is something special about the Stelvio – like it received a kiss from Enzo Ferrari himself. Buy it for love. Buy it for style. Definitely buy it for the joy of driving. And, that’s what we did with the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
It definitely looks Italian – and Alfa – pausing in the carpark. The brand’s traditional V-shaped “Scudetto” grille with integrated Alfa Romeo badge looks ready to devour slower autos, made more menacing flanked by squinty headlamps and chin spoiler. The Stelvio’s side profile is sleek and muscular wearing black roof rails and planted over 20” five-hole alloys fronting red brake calipers. It waves a final arrivederci with a sinister lower diffuser and twin exhaust outlets. Definitely choose “Rosso” red paint for that authentic Italian flair.
Alfa’s focus on driving shapes the interior that feels special. Heated black leather seats with power-adjustable side bolsters and extendable lower cushions look like they came from a Ferrari – as do the twin pod digital gauges, heated flat-bottom steering wheel, and carbon-look trim. The infotainment system is a little cumbersome, but becomes intuitive quickly. A dual-pane sunroof, aluminum pedals, and wireless phone charging add luxuries. Safety tech includes adaptive cruise, blind spot warning, lane keep assist, and rear cross path detection, however a head-up display and hands-off cruising would make it better.
It’s an art piece, but also utilitarian. The power rear hatch opens a roomy cargo hold that easily expands with two levers that flip down the rear seats. A center pass-through accepts skis or a couple of pieces of lumber. Rear seats are better left to kids for long trips, but adults ride comfortably enough for a lunch run with friends or to get your parents to your kid’s recital. Rear air vents and USB chargers add convenience.
It’s sexy, but you buy the Stelvio because you want something more than a practical car to run errands. It’s about the love of driving too. And, it delivers with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine dishing 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that can be paddle-shifted, it swoops onto freeways running 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. If you care, top speed is a robust 144 mph. Driven more like a Honda, expect 22/28-MPG city/highway – relatively frugal for the vehicle’s performance.
Our Stelvio is all-wheel-drive, but the vehicle is based on the Giulia sedan’s light rear-drive architecture that gives the crossover quick responses and a compliant ride that balances everyday duties with weekend shenanigans. It’s firm, but not bruising. The last Stelvio I drove seemed to shake and creak over anything but smooth pavement. This one seems considerably more refined, even over spring road rough. And if you please, twist the Alfa DNA drive modes knob to configure the powertrain and steering between sporty and comfy.
It’s not widely known, but Enzo Ferrari raced Alfa Romeos before he built cars bearing his own name. Ferrari now builds its own mega-buck crossover, the Purosangue, but this debonair Italian is a tad more affordable. The Stelvio starts at $45,950, rising to $57,635 in Veloce trim. Competitors include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Lexus RX F Sport and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
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