2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Sometimes, emotion rules the day, and on such days, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio will issue a seductive siren song. Targeting buyers who itemize performance, stunning styling, and rarity above all else, the Stelvio conveys the message that this driver walks his or her own path. Introduced in 2018, it’s one of the elders of its segment yet it still stirs the soul.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of compact luxury SUVs, including the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Alfa Romeo streamlined the Stelvio’s grade lineup, eliminating the Sprint, Ti, and Veloce trims and replacing them with a single Stelvio model for 2025. However, Alfa is mitigating the shock by offering the limited-production, special-edition Tributo Italiano model. Expect to see it sometime in mid-2025. Additionally, a new color splashes on the exterior paint palette in the form of Verde Fangio Metallic.

The Stelvio has no shortage of rivals. Among the many and varied alternatives are the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Lexus NX, Genesis GV70, and Volvo XC60. Most start in the mid-to-high $40,000s, with the BMW and Mercedes-Benz starting near the Stelvio. The Lexus kicks off more in the low $40,000s.

Before buying a new Stelvio luxury compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. This may not be a deal-breaker at this luxury vehicle level, but the Stelvio languishes at the bottom of its class in our resale value tables. Keep in mind that recouping more of the original sale price when selling or trading in a vehicle translates into more to put down on your next vehicle.

The Stelvio enjoys 280 hp from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. That makes it one of the more muscular base engines for the class. With this much energy, the Stelvio can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Again, it’s good for the class, although a couple of others, like the Genesis GV70, are a bit quicker.

The Stelvio is the choice for drivers who demand their SUV to have some serious agility. We appreciate the immediacy of its response, capable of making us momentarily forget Stelvio’s practicality. In other words, at the end of the day, it’s a family vehicle that’s civilized on the highway and around town.

Fuel Economy

Preferring premium fuel, the turbocharged 4-cylinder mill with the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) returns a combined 24 mpg (22 city, 28 highway). Across its segment, the Stelvio’s mpg is about average. You can compare its combined mileage with rivals, like the BMW X3 xDrive30i at 29 mpg, Audi Q5 at 26 mpg, and Acura RDX AWD, with a 23-mpg rating.

We like the general tidiness of the dashboard, stowage areas in the center console, and the engine start/stop button set on the steering wheel. Also, we appreciate the standard leather interior.

Moreover, we found the infotainment controls by the shifter to be satisfyingly similar to other Euro luxury SUVs. Drivers familiar with BMW or Mercedes-Benz controls shouldn’t experience much of a learning curve.

However, there are a couple of notable shortfalls. For example, some lower-quality plastics are scattered around a few out-of-the-way places, and the overall interior design is not as striking as the exterior. Also, the rear seat only provides 31.9 inches of legroom, which is near the bottom of the segment. The BMW X3 has 36.4, while the Acura RDX has 38 inches.

Cargo space behind the rear seats measures 18.5 cubic feet, expanding to 56.5 when they’re folded down. For context, the BMW X3 has about another 10 cubic feet in its luggage area.

As students of the automotive world, we’ve always had a thing for Alfa Romeo designs. They’re part of a broader category encompassing marques like Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini — all purveyors of a particularly Italian style nodding to a great design heritage yet still forward-looking.

That flair is exactly what the Stelvio does. We see the history in the shape of the grille (not oversized, mercifully), and although this luxury compact SUV has been around since 2018, it would look just as contemporary had it first launched this year.

Real leather
Some rivals offer simulated leather seating surfaces in their base versions, but the Stelvio has the real stuff as standard. You can smell and feel the difference.

12.3-inch digital driver information display
It’s good to see Alfa Romeo keeping up with the technology. This type of feature is now common in most luxury vehicles and even many mainstream models. It’s now standard in the Stelvio.

Premium Interior and Sound package
Although we like the growl from the Stelvio’s engine, there are times when a decent sound system is preferable. This option package includes a 14-speaker Harman Kardon setup and leather covering for the dash and upper door sections.

Active Assist Plus package
This option package is worth the extra investment. It adds active steering to the blind-spot monitoring system. It helps the driver stay centered in the lane with automatic steering inputs while adjusting speed according to the traffic ahead.

Brembo brakes
A standard performance disc brake system, the front features 4-piston aluminum-monoblock calipers, while the rear has single-piston calipers.

Powering the Stelvio is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. It makes 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard. An 8-speed automatic transmission manages engine output.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Alfa Romeo’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. These terms are common among European luxury manufacturers. Roadside assistance is provided for the same period. The first service is also included as long as it takes place within 12 months or 10,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Stelvio hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, and it’s several years since it went through any European safety testing. When it did, it took a maximum 5-star overall score; however, tests are much stricter today. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.