[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/off-road-cars\/alfa-romeo-stelvio-reviews\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/off-road-cars\/alfa-romeo-stelvio-reviews\/","headline":"Alfa Romeo Stelvio – the critics review","name":"Alfa Romeo Stelvio – the critics review","description":"Rewind a couple of years and you\u2019d have plenty of reasons to be concerned about the fate of Alfa Romeo. The iconic Italian brand\u2019s plummeting sales were never going to be reversed by its skeletal range of sub-par models, made up of the MiTo supermini and Golf-sized Giulietta. Both these models packed their fair share of design flair, but they were hugely flawed in every other area, not to mention overpriced and unreliable. Dramatic change was necessary if the brand […]","datePublished":"2017-10-24","dateModified":"2017-10-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/off-road-cars\/alfa-romeo-stelvio-reviews\/","about":["OFF ROADING"],"wordCount":643,"keywords":["Alfa Romeo","Alfa Romeo Stelvio","Auto Express","Autocar","Car Magazine","Car review","SUV","top gear"],"articleBody":"Rewind a couple of years and you\u2019d have plenty of reasons to be concerned about the fate of Alfa Romeo.The iconic Italian brand\u2019s plummeting sales were never going to be reversed by its skeletal range of sub-par models, made up of the MiTo supermini and Golf-sized Giulietta.Both these models packed their fair share of design flair, but they were hugely flawed in every other area, not to mention overpriced and unreliable.Dramatic change was necessary if the brand was going to survive and that\u2019s exactly what happened with the arrival of the 3 Series-rivalling Giulia and the Stelvio – Alfa\u2019s first ever SUV.The first phase of Alfa\u2019s resurrection was a hit with the Giulia being met with generally positive reviews when it launched early in 2016, and now it\u2019s down to the Stelvio to do the same. So what do the critics think?Top GearTop Gear awarded it a solid eight out of ten, praising its powerful four-pot engines and seductive styling.The Stelvio is offered with a choice of two engines: one diesel – a 2.2-litre unit with 207bhp – and one petrol – a two-litre block with 276bhp. Both come with all-wheel drive, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, but it was the diesel that impressed Top Gear most due to its 6.6-second 0-62mph sprint; just 0.3 secs slower than Porsche\u2019s six-cylinder Macan S Diesel.\u201cIn practice, it goes every bit as hard in the mid-range as the numbers suggest \u2013 a satisfying, whooshy punch that encourages you to squeeze the throttle and feel the surge, just for the hell of it,\u201d wrote Top Gear.However, they added the diesel isn\u2019t perfect, bemoaning \u201ca fair bit of clatter at start-up\u201d. They were less enamoured by the uninspiring handling and a build quality that simply can\u2019t compete with that witnessed with German rivals.Car MagazineIt was an equivalent four out of five stars from Car Magazine, who considered it to be the \u201conly SUV you\u2019d buy on looks alone\u201d.Car thought Alfa held back when it came to enhancing the character of the Stelvio\u2019s petrol engine, despite its impressive 5.7-second 0-62mph sprint.However, they remained mindful that this is Alfa\u2019s first shot at an SUV and on that basis, \u201cit\u2019s borderline brilliant\u201d.Auto ExpressAuto Express also dished out four stars, claiming that the Stelvio is \u201cexactly what the company needs\u201d.\u201cIt\u2019s dripping with style, but backs that up with an engaging drive, a fine cabin and a punchy yet frugal diesel engine,\u201d the motoring weekly beamed.They admitted that competitors bettered it for space and tech, but maintained that the Stelvio proved that \u201cAlfa can make a genuinely appealing alternative to the Germanic norm\u201d.AutocarAutocar was almost as satisfied with the Stelvio, handing it 3.5 stars from a possible five.They complimented the SUV for its rigid body and widespread use of lightweight aluminium on the doors, bonnet, tailgate, suspension and sub-frames.Areas they were less happy with were the Stelvio\u2019s comfort and again, cabin quality, which Autocar describes as passable but certainly not on a level of its premium rivals.\u201cThe Stelvio\u2019s interior isn\u2019t likely to sell it to someone considering giving up an Audi Q5 or Mercedes-Benz GLC,\u201d Autocar writes.Still, they liked how the car handled, praising it for being \u201csurprisingly agile around bends, gripping tenaciously and keeping a taut hold on its body\u201d.So there you have it; the Stelvio is a solid four out of five car – not the best out there but well worth considering if you\u2019re in the market for a new SUV.Have you driven Alfa\u2019s SUV? What do you think? If not, do these reviews make you want to take it out for a test drive? Tell us down there in the comments. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Off Road Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/off-road-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Alfa Romeo Stelvio – the critics review","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/off-road-cars\/alfa-romeo-stelvio-reviews\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]