Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Price: Stelvio Quadrifoglio from £87,195 (£94,745 as tested)
Engine: 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 520hp
Torque: 600Nm
Emissions: 267g/km
Economy: 23.9mpg
0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
Top speed: 177mph
Boot space: 525-1,600 litres
Styling
Just like the 'conventional' Stelvio models, the Quadrifoglio has been revamped with new headlights that ape the three-light design of the old Brera and 159 models, as well as the new Tonale. Admittedly, they do that in one housing, as per the old car, but the new LED signature is quite smart and more modern, which makes a difference. But the big difference with the Quadrifoglio is the sportiness of the design, accentuated by sharper bumpers, quad exhaust outlets and bigger wheels, as well as the cloverleaf logos on the flanks.
Interior
Just as the updates to the Stelvio’s exterior are fairly minor, the same goes for the interior. Chief among them is the addition of the new digital instrument cluster, which is smart and easy to read, and comes with a degree of customisation. It’s nowhere near as clever as the Audi Virtual Cockpit found in an Audi SQ5, but it does the job nicely and it ensures the Stelvio is up to scratch, if not a class leader in that department.
The touchscreen is still an issue – it’s pretty dreadful – but it’s less dreadful than it was when the Stelvio was new, and cabin quality has improved a bit, too. It isn’t like you’ll ever choose the Alfa on the basis of interior class or design, but at least it isn’t a key reason not to choose the Italian SUV.
And in Quadrifoglio form, it’s offered with some good upgrades, including sporty front seats that are more comfortable than they look and some nice little cloverleaf logos, as well as the huge curved gear shift paddles behind the wheel. There’s carbon trim, too, and the instrument cluster also gets some subtle cloverleaf graphics to remind you you’re in the most powerful Stelvio out there.
Practicality
The primary reason for choosing a Stelvio Quadrifoglio over the Giulia Quadrifoglio is space, and the big Alfa has all the space of its more conventionally powered 2.0-litre siblings. A 525-litre boot is comparable with rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, while rear cabin space is more than adequate for four adults, although some might bemoan the lack of lateral seat support for rear passengers, particularly on winding roads. Nevertheless, the Quadrifoglio version of the Stelvio still stands up as a family car, and it does so more ably than the Giulia.
Performance
Like the Giulia Quadrifoglio, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio gets a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine that's turbocharged to produce 520hp. That's a small uplift over the old Stelvio Quadrifoglio, but the power still heads to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The result is a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 177mph, which makes the Alfa ballistically quick, even when compared with its peers. And with all-wheel-drive traction, rather than the rear-wheel-drive layout of the Giulia, it's a more planted and more stable thing, even when you bury your right foot in the firewall.
That said, it doesn't feel quite as angry as its predecessor, thanks in no small part to the noise restrictions now in place, which have muted the exhaust note a little. It still sounds great, particularly in Dynamic mode, but it doesn't have the savagery of its predecessor, and it feels even more muted than the latest Giulia. It's a minor criticism, though, because it's still a fabulous engine, even if it is a bit on the thirsty side.
Ride & Handling
As you might expect from something wearing the Quadrifoglio badge and packing more than 500hp, the Stelvio is very much a road-orientated SUV, designed to handle and perform as well as possible. And it does that thanks to suspension that keeps the car surprisingly level through the corners and steering that only feels a little less responsive than that of the equivalent Giulia model. It’s hugely impressive for a big SUV, but there’s always a trade-off, because those who want to go fast on the road and do nothing else will always prefer the Giulia.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio, however, still has to do all the family SUV stuff, so it still has enough ground clearance to deal with a farm track, while the extra traction makes it feel more planted. Unsurprisingly, the ride isn’t as supple as in the standard 2.0-litre car – that’s a product of the sportier attitude – but it still isn’t too savage. You can drive this car up and down the motorway all day and feel relatively fresh afterwards. Around town, it struggles slightly with its size and the potholes, but no more so than an equivalent BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
Value
The Quadrifoglio badge makes a spectacular difference to the way the Stelvio drives, but it also makes a spectacular difference to the price. Where a basic Stelvio costs £46,350, the Quadrifoglio commands a premium of more than £40,000, taking the starting price to just over £87,000. Add a few options and you'll easily top £90,000.
For that money, you get a fairly comprehensive standard equipment list, including sports seats and the digital instrument display and touchscreen, as well as a Harman Kardon sound system, a reversing camera and climate control. Heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera come as standard, too, but it's well worth adding the awesome (and expensive) Akrapovic exhaust system to the standard fare.
Verdict
The Stelvio may struggle to match some other performance SUVs on paper, but it's sensational on the road. The engine is magic, the car drives beautifully and it feels premium enough to justify its price tag. For our money, it's one of the best-looking performance SUVs out there, too, and there's a lot to be said for that. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, it's thirsty. But it's a price worth paying for something that enthralls to this extent. It's fantastic.
