Alfa Romeo Stelvio: The SUV that is not a

Frédéric Mercier

Thursday, 28 December 2017 12:52

UPDATE
Thursday, 28 December 2017 12:52

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Immediately returned to North America, this Alfa Romeo succumbs to the temptation and marketed the first SUV in its history.

After Porsche, Jaguar and Maserati, let’s say that it is to be expected. But how can a brand that will be sporty as Alfa Romeo can she market it to an SUV, while retaining a certain credibility with the purists?

Wagon or SUV?

In fact, the term SUV is a bit of a hackneyed phrase, here; the Stelvio is presented this way simply for marketing reasons. Because in fact, you practically deal with a Giulia family of which the suspension would have been slightly enhanced.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Almost all the components of the Stelvio have been borrowed from the Giulia, this sedan recently came on the market and trying to compete with the Mercedes-Benz C Class and BMW 3 Series of this world.

The Stelvio, despite his airs of a big guy, uses the same platform and the same mechanical components as the Giulia. We are dealing with a four-cylinder engine, turbocharged, 2.0-litre 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet. The Stelvio also uses the same transmission as the Giulia, an eight-speed automatic transmission.

A version Quadrifoglio will soon be added to the catalog, with a biturbo V6 engine that promises performance mind-boggling. Last September, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio has become the SUV the fastest in history to cross the circuit of the Nürburgring.

Fortunately, no need this version on steroids to enjoy driving this new Alfa Romeo. Obviously heavier than a sedan, the Stelvio, however, remains surprisingly agile for a vehicle of this size. At its edge, it’s easy to forget that you are driving a SUV. If you can call it that.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018

Frédéric Mercier

An interior that is inviting

It is necessary to say that Alfa Romeo has really put the package to give the Stelvio a sports car under his sturdy body. And it goes well beyond the pretty grille, triangular-shaped throne on the front.

Inside, the Stelvio inspired by the same ambition with the materials well selected, and a finish beyond reproach. Everything is clean, well presented. Again, we really like that the cockpit has been modeled on that of the Giulia.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018

Frédéric Mercier

The seats offer more support that significant and the direction accuracy is truly impressive for a vehicle of this size. Even the steering wheel, a button enables to start the mechanical as a roulette wheel in the center of the console offers three driving modes that change instantly some vehicle parameters for an experiment on a custom.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Speaking of driving modes, Dynamic mode, which is the most sporty of the lot, I was a bit left on my appetite. I would have liked to conduct more aggressive, more brutal. For an ” SUV ” in the claims also sports, it is disappointing.

The other negative aspect, the navigation system. Most of the time, it led me to a wrong path or persisted in wanting me to take an exit that did not exist. Must say that the chaos in montreal doesn’t help either… I wouldn’t have made a whole dish if I had been able to connect my phone to the vehicle, except that neither Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are compatible with the infotainment system of the Stelvio. Not safe, for a car whose starting price exceeds $ 50,000. Fortunately, we are told that it is coming soon.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Practice, the Stelvio?

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is so agile that you forget almost being on board an SUV. But can he at least claim to offer the benefits that an SUV is supposed to offer?

With 525 litres of space available in the trunk, the Stelvio offers almost two times less space for luggage than a Honda CR-V, whose dimensions are similar. Even the Mazda CX-5, which is often cited as the dunce of his class in terms of cargo space, done better with 875 litres.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018

Frédéric Mercier

For the convenience of the Stelvio, we revert.

The visibility edge is also dangerously problematic. The elegant lines of the vehicle and its very small rear window make lane changes and parking in parallel is very risky. A chance that there’s cameras and audible warning devices to save the day…

No matter what Alfa Romeo is trying to make us believe, the Stelvio is hardly what it takes to enter in the SUV category. It is a Giulia high on its legs on which it offers the wheel to the full series.

Is it worth the 67 502 $ requested for the version we had at the trial? As well turn to a true SUV or a real sports car. Not a sad compromise between the two.

Technical data sheet

Name : Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018
Base price : 52 995 $
Trial Version : It Sports
Price of model tested : 67 502 $
Configuration : four-wheel drive Vehicle with engine at the front
Engine : Engine four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged
Transmission : Automatic 8-speed
Power/torque : 280 hp/ 306 lb-ft
Fuel consumption announced : 10.8 L/100 km (city) / 8.3 L/100 km (highway)
Fuel consumption, observed : 8.5 L/100 km
Towing capacity : 3,000 pounds
Warranty basic : 4 years/80,000 km
Competition : Jaguar F-Pace, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3