Summary
Named after a challenging Alpine road, the Stelvio launched as Alfa Romeo’s first SUV in 2017, and quickly became the Italian brand’s best-selling model.
The Quadrifoglio name was applied to the outright performance version which joined the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2 diesel in showrooms in 2018. It employs a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, pushing out some 510hp and encouraged Alfa Romeo to describe the Quadrifoglio when it was launched as the world’s fastest SUV – it takes 3.8 seconds to reach 62mph and goes on to some 176mph.
Today there are faster SUVs than the Quadrifoglio, but according to testers few with a chassis that copes so well with the power. “It has a remarkable level of precision and body control and a natural cornering balance,” says Autocar.
Ride comfort also gets the thumbs-up, though at slow speeds it can crash over potholes. And the looks come in for praise, the Daily Mail describing the Quadrifoglio as “the world’s first ‘pretty’ SUV.”
The interior impresses rather less. It was improved with a facelift in 2020 and the worst of the brittle plastic surfaces removed but still reviewers argue that it’s not quite as upmarket as premium rivals. The infotainment system may be much-improved but still regarded as way behind the competition.
All testers agree that the seats are very comfortable and SUV interior practicality has not been sacrificed for speed; “one of the most practical 500bhp cars ever made,” says Carbuyer.
Overall, however, reviewers feel the Quadrifoglio will be bought purely for its potency; Carbuyer summing up the general view by describing it as “a true performance SUV with a fantastic engine that’s great fun to drive.”
Being a 500hp petrol super-SUV, it’s not surprising that the big Stelvio is very expensive to live with – owners will be spending a lot of money each year on fuel and insurance. It also lacks some of the latest technological features found in newer premium rivals.
As of August 2024, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. It scores top marks with motoring journalists, but its ownership merits are less convincing. Its safety rating has now expired due to age, while its CO2 emissions and running costs are high.
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2017 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Alfa Romeo Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Stelvio Quadrifoglio highlights
- Very powerful
- Handling ability to cope with the power
- Sporty looks for an SUV
- Lots of space inside
- Comfortable seats
Stelvio Quadrifoglio lowlights
- Ride quality not great at low speeds
- Expensive to buy and tax
- Expensive to run with poor fuel economy
- Giulia Quadrifoglio still more fun to drive
- Safety rating has now expired
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: 2.9-litre petrol
Price: From £74,065 on-road
Launched: Spring 2018
Last updated: Summer 2020
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“If you’re after a performance SUV then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is easily one of the most dynamic performance SUVs on sale today.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Not much has changed with the latest Stelvio Quadrifoglio, but it didn’t really need to. Alfa Romeo has addressed criticisms of interior quality and in-car tech to varying degrees of success, but what is clear is that the Stelvio remains one of the most exciting performance SUVs on sale.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10
“The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is one of the best sporty SUVs around, with a raucous engine, sharp handling and handsome styling.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Score: 8 / 10
“The bold and distinctive Stelvio has always impressed with its combination of spirited driving dynamics and practicality. With this updated version and refreshed model line-up Alfa Romeo hopes complaints about interior quality and outdated technology will also have been answered.”
Read review
Autocar
Score: 8 / 10
“Alfa Romeo has turned up the heat on its first SUV with the 503bhp Stelvio Quadrifoglio.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10
“For better or worse, Alfa is far more singular and uncompromising in its approach to building a performance SUV than any other manufacturer out there. And while that might put a few people off what’s now a £73,195 car, it’s also likely to attract just as many.”
Read review
Score: 9 / 10
“Although the decision to buy one will largely be made by your heart and not your head, this is comfortably the most engaging performance SUV money can buy.”
Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is great fun, but with more driven wheels and a stack more kerbweight it’s not as much fun as a Giulia Quadrifoglio.”
Read review
Car Keys
Score: 10 / 10
“The performance and driving dominate the experience, and if you want a performance SUV with true agility and the ability to bring a smile to your face, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is pretty much in a class all to itself.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2019
Score: 10 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is undoubtedly one of the best SUVs on sale today from a driver’s point of view – offering a level of enjoyment and thrills usually just reserved for more conventional sports cars.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a true performance SUV, with a fantastic engine that’s great fun to drive”
Read review
Carwow
Score: 9 / 10
“With 510hp and all-wheel drive, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is as rapid around corners as it is in a straight line, but its interior and quality and infotainment system are less impressive.”
Read review
Daily Mail
“By turning the Stelvio into a sports-car hunting powerhouse, Alfa Romeo has managed to strip away some of the most important characteristics you’d want from an SUV.”
Read review
Evo
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is fun and capable, like no SUV should be”
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Honest John
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio manages to capture Italian charisma and enjoyable handling in a practical, family-friendly package.”
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The Sunday Times
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – an SUV poster boy at last.”
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The Telegraph
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio represents not just the very best of the super SUVs, but probably best bad car decision in general. It’s clearly not the best SUV, nor the best performance car – yet I’m pretty sure it’s the most impressive compromise between the two.”
Read review
Top Gear
“For sheer fizzing, soulful, addictive vigour, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has mega star quality.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 60%
Notes on safety rating
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 20xx and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Stelvio Quadrifoglio to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of August 2024, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
If the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here. However, don’t be expecting an outstanding set of results from a 500hp petrol V6-powered sports SUV…
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of August 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio range to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Stelvio range, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 25 mpg | E | 25 – 25 mpg | E – E |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 265 g/km | D | 261 – 267 g/km | D – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 50 | F | 50 – 50 | F – F |
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is more expensive to live with than the standard Stevlio SUV range, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption for the twin-turbo V6 engine is inevitably poor, which is closely related to the CO2 score. The Stelvio’s impressive performance also means it earns the very highest insurance group rating, so you’ll pay quite a lot for your annual car insurance premium.
We don’t currently have servicing and maintenance cost data available, so check back again soon.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Date: July 2023
Model types: Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Giulia Quadrifoglio
Build dates: 09/2017 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 100
Defect: Affected vehicles equipped with the option BRM (carbon ceramic matrix brakes) may face a braking management issue due to unexpected control unit signals. This may potentially lead to a carbon ceramic disc rupture with a resultant risk of loss or degradation of braking performance.
Remedy: Reprogramme the BSM (braking system module) with updated software.
Date: September 2022
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 11/2020 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 973
Defect: The automatic headlight position sensors may not have been calibrated and therefore the function does not comply with the requirements of ECE R48.
Remedy: Recalibration of the automatic headlight position sensors and alignment of the headlights.
Date: January 2022
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 09/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 157
Defect: Due to a production nonconformity there may be the possibility of a fuel leak from the fuel pressure and temperature sensor.
Remedy: Replace the front fuel supply pipe and sensor.
Date: September 2021
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 37
Defect: The vehicle may not comply with ECE Regulation 16 Amendment 07 where all seats must be equipped with a safety belt reminder function with visual and audible indication of seat belt status.
Remedy: Conduct a software update to ensure the seat belt indication is available for all occupied seats.
Date: March 2021
Model types: Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Giulia Quadrifoglio
Build dates: 03/2020 to 08/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 7
Defect: There is a possibility of the rear brake discs having micro-cracks.
Remedy: Replace the rear brake discs.
Date: January 2020
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 11/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 57
Defect: The seats may not lock in the correct position.
Remedy: Check and replace the seat frame if necessary.
Date: September 2019
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 03/2016 to 08/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2,402
Defect: More fuel than actually present in the tank could be displayed on the instrument panel.
Remedy: Update the software of the control module which governs fuel level management.
Date: July 2019
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 03/2016 to 06/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 493
Defect: Undesired acceleration of the vehicle may occur whilst active cruise control is operational.
Remedy: Update the software in the brake system module.
Date: May 2018
Model types: All Stelvio
Build dates: 12/2016 to 04/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 1,451
Defect: Due to a potential nonconformity, some electric-electronic components may malfunction as a result of water infiltrations and their performance may be compromised. The vehicle may not function as the driver expects it to during use including unintended activation and opening of the rear liftgate door at vehicle speeds up to 3.1 MPH. An unintended activation and opening of the rear liftgate door may result in a loss of unrestrained cargo. Lost cargo may create a road hazard and could cause a following vehicle to crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Sealing and/or application of sealants in specific places will ensure full parts conformity is restored.
Date: March 2018
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 11/2017 to 12/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 11
Defect: The brake/clutch system components may be damaged and system performance may decay as a result of the potential presence of mineral oil in the brake-clutch fluid because the components are not compatible with mineral oil. As a result brake/clutch system performance may deteriorate.
Remedy: Replace the components in the brake-clutch system.
As of August 2024, there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, seven of which are shared with its Giulia saloon sibling. These cover headlights, fuel system, seats, software and brake issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Alfa Romeo dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Stelvio, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has received
2020
- 4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Performance SUV
2019
- What Car? Awards – Best Performance SUV for more than £60K
2018
- Carwow Awards – Driver’s Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW X3 M | BMW X4 M | Jaguar F-Pace SVR | Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 | Porsche Macan Turbo
There are not many hugely potent SUVs and so the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has few direct rivals. The Porsche Macan Turbo comes at a similar price but with less equipment, and the BMW X3M is significantly more expensive than the Alfa.
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at The Car Expert
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