Don’t let the Stelvio’s comfortable cruising demeanor fool you; it’s a brutal performance machine in disguise
4 hours ago
Despite the looming threat of stricter new emissions and fuel efficiency standards around the world, there’s never been a better time to buy a super SUV. Lamborghini and Ferrari have already entered the arena with their own offerings, and even McLaren is open to building one in the next few years.
The focus of this review, the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, isn’t quite in the same performance league as those SUVs, but then again, it doesn’t cost nearly as much either. However, it is a brutishly fast vehicle that left us smiling from ear to ear while driving it for the past week.
Sadly, the Quadrifoglio’s time in the U.S. is ending after the current model year, but it will continue to thrill drivers in other markets.
So, what makes it so special? Let’s find out.
Quick Facts
Updated looks, same Italian theater
Alfa Romeo has been building the Stelvio Quadrifoglio since 2017, and for 2024, it made the first significant changes and upgrades to it. It’s now better equipped to rival vehicles like the BMW X3 M and boasts more modern and sophisticated looks.
Styling changes start at the front end where Alfa Romeo has equipped the Stelvio with refreshed headlights and LED daytime running lights. I wouldn’t go as far as to say these new lights have a transformative effect on how the SUV looks, but they certainly make it appear a touch more aggressive and not cross-eyed like its predecessor.
Read: Last Call For V6 Clover! Alfa Giulia And Stelvio Quadrifoglio Super Sport End US Run
Modifications continue at the rear, and include updated taillights with clearer lenses and less red. It also receives darker privacy glass, red brake calipers, and new 21-inch wheels. Alfa Romeo has also installed a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster inside.
At this stage of a review, we usually analyze a car’s interior. But this is a Stelvio Quadrifoglio, a vehicle that’s all about the driving experience. So, let’s jump into that first, shall we?
Photos: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A polished performer, invigorating sounds
Since 2017, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio has been powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 375 kW (503 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque. In overseas markets, horsepower has swelled to 382 kW (513 hp), but in Australia, it continues to deliver 503 hp / 375 kW. That’s more than enough. After all, no driver could feel the extra 10 horses.
This V6 is ballistic. While it’s not exactly a Ferrari V8 with two cylinders lobbed off, like some outlets will have you believe, it is derived from the 3.9-liter F154 BB of the Ferrari California and was engineered by many ex-Ferrari staffers. A twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 from Mercedes-Benz has more power, but the latest GLC 63 AMG has ditched this engine in favor of a hybridized 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Lame.
I’ve never driven a V6 that sounds as good as this. Pin the throttle, and the engine erupts into a glorious crescendo, emitting a symphony like only the finest Italian performance cars can. It sounds heavenly. At low speeds while trundling around town, the turbochargers can be heard whistling in the background, while under heavier loads, its intake sound that dominates the experience. None of the videos of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio online can do the sound justice.
Of course, it’s not just the engine that sounds fantastic, but also the exhaust. When the SUV is driven in the ‘N’ (Natural) and ‘A’ (Advanced Efficiency) modes, it’s quiet but gets a little louder when you switch to ‘D’ of Dynamic mode. This mode also sharpens the throttle response and steering. However, it’s not until you activate Race model that the exhaust fires to life.
Photos: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Mated to the V6 is an eight-speed automatic transmission operated by a pair of massive aluminum paddles behind the steering wheel. This gearbox provides snappy changes when you’re pushing the Stelvio, but can be a little jerky at slower speeds. It’s not as refined as some of the dual-clutch systems out there, nor is it the best single-clutch eight-speed on the market, but it does have plenty of character and is the perfect companion to the engine.
Read: Stellantis Boss Won’t Sell Alfa Romeo To Chinese, New Stelvio Arrives In 2025
As you’d expect, the Stelvio QV comes alive in Race mode. Alfa Romeo says this mode is “best used in track driving situations,” but it’s perfectly suited to the street if you want all 375 kW (503 hp) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft). As mentioned, it opens up the exhaust valves. It also shuts off the ESC and traction control. Given the Stelvio is all-wheel drive, you may not think much of that. However, this isn’t a symmetrical all-wheel drive system that will evenly share power between the front and rear wheels.
Instead, it sends most of the power to the rear wheels, which means the Quadrifoglio will easily light up the rear tires if you tap on the throttle coming out of a corner.
Alfa Romeo claims the Stelvio Quadrifoglio needs just 3.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph), and it feels every bit as quick as that. Curiously, there is no launch control. Instead, the best way to launch the SUV is to brake boost it, let it squat down, and release the brake. It fires off the line and snaps through gears in as little as 150 milliseconds, providing you with a solid thud each time it changes cogs. It’s utterly addictive, and the unrelenting surge provided by the engine never gets old.
Then there’s the way this thing handles. For 2024, Alfa Romeo has ditched the electronically controlled rear differential in favor of a mechanical limited-slip differential. The adjustable dampers of the old car have been retained and the combination of the two results in an SUV that handles just as well as a sports sedan.
Sure, there’s no hiding the fact that you’re perched much higher than in a sedan, like the Giulia Quadrifoglio, but the Stelvio feels light and responsive. Our test car was equipped with 255/40 Pirelli P Zero tires and try as we might, we couldn’t invoke the slightest bit of understeer. Oversteer? That’s a different story, as this thing loves to kick out its tail but even when it does, it remains controllable.
The dampers remain in their softest setting in the ‘N’ and ‘A’ driving modes. If you switch into Dynamic mode, they change into ‘Mid’ mode. This setting is reasonably stiff and will probably be a little too jarring for all but the most enthusiastic of drivers. Turn the Stelvio’s Race mode on, and the dampers get even stiffer, but you can switch them back into ‘Mid’ mode with the Ferrari-esque bumpy road button. This is where we left them for most of our time with the SUV as the stiff setting is too much for anything but the smoothest of road surfaces.
The flagship Stelvio feels right at home during the daily grind, too. Alfa Romeo rates the fuel consumption at 10.2l/100 km (23.1 mpg US) over the combined cycle, although we averaged closer to 14 l/100 km (16.8 mpg US), meaning it’s quite a thirsty beast.
The snappy steering takes a little getting used to. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio has a steering ratio of 12.1:1, making it quicker and more direct than many high-end sports cars and supercars.
Photos: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Interior
In Australia, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio starts at an eye-watering AU$162,700 (about US$108,044 at current exchange rates) and the Verde Montreal of our test car adds AU$4,000 (US$2,600) to that figure. The cabin doesn’t quite feel premium enough to justify that price point.
Situated in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that looks the business with its traditional binnacles. This display offers some level of customization, but it’s not quite as configurable as we would have liked. There is also an 8.8-inch infotainment display in the center of the dash, providing support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The materials found throughout feel good. Soft-touch leather bathes the seats, door panels, and center console, while carbon fiber with a raw finish adorns the dashboard, center console, and a strip across the dash. The steering wheel is perfectly sized with a lovely combination of black leather and black Alcantara and houses a bright red Start/Stop button – a nice little bit of Italian flair.
Photos: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The metallic paddle shifters are superb and absolutely massive, making it easy to swap cogs while keeping your hands at 9 and 3 o’clock on the wheel. However, the rim of the steering wheel, the paddles, and the indicator stalks are all positioned very close together, and I found it a little uncomfortable resting my fingers between the wheel and the paddles.
Visibility is excellent, and there’s plenty of space. The boot supports up to 525 liters (18.5 cubic feet) of cargo with the seats up, and the second row is easily big enough for tall adults. Unfortunately, there’s no ambient lighting nor a head-up display, which are features we would like to see in vehicles at this price point.
Verdict
There are plenty of ridiculous, high-performance SUVs out there, but few feel as driver-focused as the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It’s impossible not to smile from ear to ear when behind the wheel of this thing, and the brilliant engine makes it feel like an event whenever you get behind the wheel. It’s one hell of a ride.