Text by Tom Appel
2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Specs
Class: Premium Compact Crossover
Color: Verde Montreal
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 147
Real-world fuel economy: 17.2 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B- |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | C |
| Value | C |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B- |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 505-horsepower 2.9-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/23/19 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium
Base price: $87,300 (not including $1595 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($2200), Quadrifoglio Package ($700), Dual-Pane Sunroof ($1485)
Price as tested: $93,360
Pros and Cons
The great: Undeniable presence, seriously fun to drive
The good: Roomy and well-appointed cabin, unexpected highway manners
The not so good: A little loud, a little expensive
Overview
There is a hypocritical truth about the automotive media—maybe you already know this—and that’s that we want to you, the consumer, to buy vehicles that we never would. This for a number of reasons: First, if you don’t buy these cars and trucks, carmakers might stop producing them, and we would never have the opportunity to drive them again. Also—and this is important—it does our hearts good to know that there are consumers out there willing to set aside mainstream value tenets including price and practicality, and purchase a vehicle that simply makes them happy. For this reason, bold car shopper, we salute you, and also envy you. But please, whatever you do, keep buying cool, weird, and fringe-segment cars.
Here’s a crossover we’d really like you to buy: The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The Stelvio, as you may know, is a compact crossover infused with a fair amount of Italian character. Even in lower trim levels, the small Alfa ute accelerates with a compelling dose of energy, and handles with uncharacteristic-for-the-category athleticism. The Stelvio’s cabin, regardless of trim level, is rich in leather and quality trim elements that help separate the crossover from more mainstream offerings. Indeed, the Stelvio feels decidedly exotic.
The Stelvio is as expensive as it is over the top—especially in Quadrifoglio trim and painted Verde Montreal—but we, the media, desperately want you to buy one. We want you do to what we are neither brave enough nor wealthy enough to do ourselves, and that is to fully embrace what motoring can be if you live a life without social, financial, and spousal repercussion, and likely have a three- or four-car garage.
Though weighed down with notes about why the Stelvio should not be your first (or second, or third) choice for the family’s next crossover, we’d like to share with you the reasons you should absolutely go and lease a Stelvio today, or tomorrow, latest. Because, I promise you, were auto writers not saddled to the consumerist religion of practicality and value, and if we were better paid, many of us would be tooling around in our own Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
Listen to our podcast review of the Alfa Romeo Tonale
5 Cool Things About the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
It’s Alive (powertrain)
It’s not uncommon for a carmakers to stuff a large, powerful, engine under the hood of a sporty vehicle and call it day. At 2.9 liters, the turbocharged Stelvio Quadrifoglio engine is not especially large, but at 505 horsepower it is certainly strong. And, in true-to-Alfa form, the small V6 makes its presence known, with a soundtrack that can be both heard and felt.
Though not unrefined, the potent engine screams when the gas pedal is fully depressed, and the effective 8-speed automatic keeps that power flowing with quick and determined shifts. Needless to say, passing and merging maneuvers aren’t just executed with ease, they are the highlights of any commute.
Note, too, that our observed 17 mpg performance can easily be improved upon, assuming you are not lured in too deeply by this engines siren’s song.
It’s Alive (handling)
This author has spent considerable time of late whining about the lack of steering feel found in premium vehicles designed—and marketed—as fun to drive. Indeed, most cars and crossovers—regardless of price or level of intended sportiness—offer up little in the way of road feel, or feedback via the steering wheel. Blame electrically assisted power steering, drive-by-wire steering systems, and market research that suggests to carmakers that lifeless steering feel is what customers actually want.
Good news: The Stelvio Quadrifoglio affords drivers not only meaningful steering feedback, along with some great road feel, it pairs that steering with excellent chassis dynamics and impressive brake feel. As a package, the Quadrifoglio upgrades significantly bolster the base Stelvio’s sporty character.
Listen to our podcast review of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
It’s Alive (design)
Though the Stelvio is roughly the same shape as most other small crossovers, it’s aggressive grille design, deeply contoured bodyside, cool hood vents, and crazy multi-circle wheels combine to elevate the Alfa Romeo ute to something more than daily transportation.
Our test car arrived in Verde Montreal, a color which turned heads at every stoplight. Midyear, Alfa replaced Verde Montreal with Verde Fangio, a similar hue with just a hint of blue in the mix.
It’s Reasonable
Despite its extroverted character, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is actually a decent, fully functioning small crossover. As such, it’s roomy up front—with very comfortable seats—reasonably roomy in the second row, and rides well on the in the Interstate. Also, the Quadrifoglio is EPA rated at an estimated 23 mpg on the highway, not bad for an AWD crossover with more than 500 horsepower burbling under the hood. Oh, and as for the burbling, our green Alfa isn’t as quiet on the highway as, say, a BMW X3, or a Lexus NX–just so you know.
It’s Unique
The Stelvio accounted for fewer than 8000 sales in the U.S. last year. So, you won’t see yourself coming and going at the country club or the wine-and-cheese shop. We don’t know what percentage of those sales were Quadrifoglios, or how many were some crazy shade of green, but we suspect that your Stelvio will be the only one like it for miles around. And, isn’t rarity part of the luxury-car equation?
Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
