2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce Q4 Review

What is a Stelvio?

Stelvio, named after the famed twisty-bendy Stelvio pass with its 48 switchbacks, is a sports car in every sense of the word. Unlike almost all other SUVs, even the posh German ones, Stelvio has sports roots from a car maker renowned for sexy, spirited performance.

Stelvio will frolic playfully, or, when pressed, through you in to corners at warp 10, to slingshot you out the other side.

Good Looks are a trademark

Alfa Romeo is a sports car company. They’ve made the odd mis-step, but almost every Alfa is a stunner. The front end is dominated be a sexy shield grille, flanked by bi-Xenon automatic headlights. I’d have hoped for matrix LED headlights, but somehow it doesn’t seem to matter. The look is gorgeous.

The star of the side profile are Alfa Aluminium alloy wheels. 5 spokes split in to 10, and the red brakes peek through, indicating huge stopping power. The neck-snapping Quadrifoglio has a $15,000 ceramic brake option to really make your eyes water.

The rump is rounded, making the whole package look much smaller than it actually is.

Above: This Week – 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce Q4 Review including shots of the Stelvio Pass

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ABOVE: Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Stelvio Pass- Italy

Inside, the cabin is a triumph

There is a proper cockpit. Stelvio eschews the open-airy feeling for something altogether cosier and enveloping. Like the French, Italian designers have their own signature quirks. All controls are exactly where you need them, and an 8” infotainment touch screen is complimented by a dial/toggle on the console. But, it is put together in a way that has that extra little something.

The dash is part digital with a smaller LCD flanked by 2 large conventional dials. Somehow, that looks just right in an Alfa.

4 outboard seats have heating, and the front pews add power adjustment with lumbar support. There is an acre of cow covering every surface. It is stitched, and beautifully padded, and the plastic is non-reflective, highlighted by touches of knurled metalwork

Rear seat legroom is plenty unless you’re very tall, and despite the large double-pane sunroof, has plenty of headroom all-round.

The drive:

In many ways, the facts and figures tell only a small part of the story, Alfa is about feelings, not numbers.

Stellantis has really picked up the ball on reliability over the last little while. Most of their 15 brands have had a casual relationship with quality in the past, despite how their cars look. The warranty is a shortish 3 years, and really should be 5 years. Better still, KIA is 7 years, so let’s have 7 years, right? After all, Alfa Romeo is asking buyers to pay many shekels.

You have a full suite of driver aids and safety gear at your disposal, which is fettled via the touch screen. A “DNA” knob dials up the sporty excitement, giving the 206kw/400Nm 2.0L 4-cylinder extra punch. Acres of pull are channelled to all 4 wheels through an 8-speed automatic.

There isn’t the ground clearance for off-roading, but as we know, few SUVs venture off the tarmac, so it hardly matters.

AWD grip is excellent even on rubbish roads in rubbish conditions.

Steering is super light even in sports mode, and the ride is sensational, aided by adaptive damping. Brakes are nicely progressive, with no face-peeling action when speeding up, or slowing down. I like that.

For a full detail of features and quirks, get a brochure HERE: 2021 STELVIO BUYERS GUIDE

The sound is a triumph, with a pleasing little buzz reminiscent of the 60’s Alfa’s. I can picture myself with a couple of leather bags in the back, winding my way though Lake Como on route to the Stelvio pass. I don’t ski, but the is plenty of Après fun to be had.

Park up at a chalet, and recharge yourself with a well-earned noggin of single malt.

Highway travel is a delight as Stelvio settles down for a long tun. 2-zone climate control does an excellent job of keeping things just so, and you stay comfortable, even after hours in the saddle.

What’s the downside?

The base price of our Stelvio Veloce is $78,950, but get a load of the options.

There is near on $18,000 worth. The audio system is fine as it is, but Harmon Kardon is always better. There is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard, but the rest of those extras seem like a bit of a waste of time.

Veloce Metallic paint $2,150
Tri-Coat Paint $4,000
Compact Spare Tyre $800
Black Painted Brake Calipers $1,000
Yellow Brake Calipers $1,000
20″ Sport Wheel $1,050
Harman Kardon Audio $1,650
Alfa SDC Suspension $2,900
Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof $3,300

Conclusion:

To answer the question about Stelvio being the best SUV ever, I say this: Stelvio is the perfect size for most situations. It is a sports car, and it has the ability to make you feel something. It is gorgeous, fun to drive, and handles like a sedan.

Stelvio pricing:

Model Engine Trans Drive Fuel Power BVP*
Stelvio (customer order only) 2.0 Turbo 8AT RWD Petrol 147 kW $64,950
Stelvio Sport 2.0 Turbo 8AT RWD Petrol 147 kW $69,950
Stelvio Veloce 2.0 Turbo 8AT RWD Petrol 206 kW $78,950
Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 Bi-Turbo 8AT RWD Petrol 375 kW $146,950

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