Typically automakers get it proper the primary time. For fanatics on the lookout for one of many best-driving small luxurious SUVs, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio nailed it out of the gate.

Alfa Romeo has given the Stelvio minor updates because it debuted six years in the past, however this crossover SUV carries the identical primary beautiful design, it stays comfy up entrance, and most significantly, it retains its sharp driving dynamics. 

It’s not for everybody, although. Even with the newest infotainment system, know-how isn’t the Stelvio’s robust swimsuit, it nonetheless has a brake suggestions challenge, and its packaging results in compromised inside house behind the driving force.

After placing it into service to shuttle my children round city for every week, listed below are the professionals and cons of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. 

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Professional: Alfa Romeo Stelvio proves easy might be fairly

The Stelvio is likely one of the prettiest small crossover SUVs. Fairly than bling and aptitude, it sports activities easy beautiful curves, the trademark Alfa Romeo Scudetto grille, and massive exhaust shops. The LED headlights have been up to date, however the easy design has aged like a advantageous wine. It seems extra like a tall wagon somewhat than an SUV with nice proportions because of an extended dash-to-axle ratio that places loads of sheet metallic between the entrance wheels and the entrance doorways.

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Con: Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s tech is sophisticated and glitchy

The Stelvio now options an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system nonetheless operating the automaker’s previous Alfa Join infotainment system somewhat than Stellantis’ newest UConnect 5. It’s the laggiest system I’ve touched in a very long time. Its seemingly easy tile-based interface has fussy little icons on the left, tapping the display doesn’t make it reply instantly, and the Apple CarPlay connection isn’t wi-fi. The up and down buttons on the steering wheel usually change the radio station and/or music, relying on the leisure supply. Nevertheless, should you hit a window pane icon on the steering wheel, they management what’s proven within the gauge cluster. I’m unsure how anybody would be capable of work out the gauge cluster controls.

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Professional: Alfa Romeo provides bear hugs

Anybody seated up entrance can be very comfy. The closely bolstered sport seats offer you a bear hug and maintain your physique snugly in place. Supportive for hours, these seats are amongst my favorites in any small crossover SUV. In addition they sit up excessive, which mixes with a low-set dashboard to supply a superb ahead view. 

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Con: Alfa Romeo places driving first, rear-seat passengers second

Occupants seated within the again received’t be as comfortable. Rear legroom is sort of tight. There’s solely 31.9 inches of rear legroom, about as a lot as a Spirit Airways seat. Rear cargo house can be restricted, because the Stelvio has 18.5 cubic toes with the rear seats up and 56.5 cubic toes with the seats folded down. All however a kind of figures is notably decrease than the smaller Tonale’s, which has 38.0 inches of rear legroom, 22.9 cubic toes of cargo house behind the second row, and 50.5 cubic toes of house with the rear seats folded. The Stelvio’s longer general size provides it extra max cargo house, however its lengthy dash-to-axle ratio and the packaging of its refined rear suspension rob rear legroom and house behind the rear seat. The Tonale’s less complicated suspension system has a adverse, although, because it supplies much less enjoyable behind the wheel.

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Professional: Alfa Romeo Stelvio satisfies round corners and alongside highways

The Stelvio is a delight round corners because of the well-tuned double-wishbone entrance suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The tremendous fast 12.0:1 steering ratio makes even neighborhood corners enjoyable, and the agency tuning of the suspension lands on the excellent aspect of comfy. The Stelvio didn’t buck over damaged, heaving Midwest pavement throughout the useless of winter regardless of the agency suspension. 

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Con: Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s brakes present little suggestions

The Alfa Romeo Steilvo’s brakes are fairly robust and supply good chunk, however they lack suggestions. The pedal feels virtually wood. The reason being the suggestions is simulated, because the brake-by-wire system makes use of a rubber block mounted behind the brake pedal so drivers can perceive how a lot strain is being utilized. It is a tuning challenge, not a {hardware} challenge. Porsche and others do a advantageous job tuning their brake-by-wire programs.

The Alfa Romeo stays an fanatic’s alternative. It’s not probably the most tech-focused crossover SUV, or the roomiest, nevertheless it’s among the many most enjoyable to drive. For individuals who put how a car drives forward of all else, it’s among the many greatest choices within the section. Although, it wouldn’t kill Alfa Romeo to faucet different Stellantis arms to make its tech extra consumer pleasant.

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2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Base worth: $47,545, together with $1,595 vacation spot

Worth as examined: $59,870

Powertrain: 280-hp turbo-4, 8-speed computerized transmission, AWD

EPA gasoline economic system: 22/28/24 mpg

The professionals: Beautiful, comfy entrance seats, good ahead visibility, enjoyable to drive

The cons: Glitchy and overly sophisticated controls, compromised second row and cargo space, poor brake suggestions