The higher seating position makes getting in and out easier than in the Giulia, just as the higher roofline means there’s more headroom in the rear (though still not an overly generous amount). Both vehicles have identical wheelbases – the distance between the front and rear axles – and the Stelvio offers a good amount of legroom for rear passengers.
It has quite small rear windows which doesn’t help when parking. This is mitigated somewhat by the fitment of acoustic parking sensors across the range, with more help from the rear-view camera available in top-spec cars only. These small windows and bulky bits of body work at the rear of the car also means it can be quite dark inside, especially on models with black headlining.
The roomy interior extends to the 525-litre boot, which is nicely square with high sides and wide, low tailgate to aid loading. It does trail the Q5, X3 and GLC for outright space though.
All versions of the Stelvio get an electric tailgate, too, which can be set to open to eight different positions using the on-board computer, so you’ll never have to worry about not being able to reach the button to shut it. However, it’s very slow to operate, so you’ll need to be patient. With the rear seats folded luggage space increases to 1,600 litres.
Is it safe?
Lots of active safety as standard
Five-star Euro NCAP rating
Stops from 62mph in 37.5m
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating when tested in 2017 due to its range of safety features. In addition to the usual electronic stability control system and six airbags, this includes:
Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection – capable of bringing the Stelvio to a complete halt from speeds of up to 40mph
Lane Departure Warning – delivers visual and audible warnings, but cannot steer the Stelvio back into lane
These systems use a variety of sensors, including cameras and radar. Upon testing the adaptive cruise control, we were a little disappointed to note that the system failed to pick up some motorcyclists in front of us, prompting avoiding action.
On top of all that safety kit, the Stelvio has an Integrated Brake System (IBS; no, really) as standard, which combines the high-tech stability electronics with a conventional brake servo. This is said to reduce weight, improve brake feel and deliver faster braking response – meaning shorter braking distances.
It’s a first in this segment of the SUV market and we found it worked well, though those with a more sensitive braking foot may take issue with the claim of improved feel.
Improved safety tech from 2020
An update in 2020 brought with it a new level of driver assistance – taking the Stelvio up to the second level of autonomy – meaning the car can be left to control the gas, brakes and steering (albeit under constant monitoring by the driver).
The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) collection includes:
Lane keeping assist
Active blind spot assist
Active cruise control
Traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed control
Traffic jam assist and highway assist (autonomous driving)
Driver attention assist
Unfortunately Alfa Romeo still doesn’t offer LED headlights – and this is unlikely to change until the car is replaced.
Watch: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Euro NCAP crash test video
Basic equipment
The basic equipment list includes equipment that is standard across all versions of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV.
3x3 point rear seat belts
ABS
Alarm
Alloy wheels
PAS
Sat Nav
Traction control
Equipment by trim level
To view equipment options for a specific trim level, please select from the following list:
Equipment included on some trim levels
Audio remote
Body coloured bumpers
Cloth seat trim
Cruise control
Driver`s airbag
Electric driver`s seat
Electric mirrors
Electric passenger`s seat
Front electric windows
Front fog lights
Headlight washers
Heated mirrors
Heated seats
Height adjustable drivers seat
Isofix child seat anchor points
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Parking sensors
Partial leather seat trim
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Remote locking
Roof rails
Side airbags
Sports seats
Standard Trim equipment
Standard Trim standard equipment
Audio remote
Cloth seat trim
Cruise control
Front fog lights
Height adjustable drivers seat
Parking sensors
Standard Trim optional equipment
None available
Launch Edition equipment
Launch Edition standard equipment
Audio remote
Cruise control
Electric driver`s seat
Electric mirrors
Electric passenger`s seat
Front fog lights
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Height adjustable drivers seat
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Parking sensors
Remote locking
Launch Edition optional equipment
Partial leather seat trim
Nero Edizione equipment
Nero Edizione standard equipment
Audio remote
Headlight washers
Height adjustable drivers seat
Partial leather seat trim
Remote locking
Roof rails
Nero Edizione optional equipment
Cruise control
Electric driver`s seat
Electric passenger`s seat
Front fog lights
Heated seats
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Parking sensors
Quadrifoglio equipment
Quadrifoglio standard equipment
Audio remote
Body coloured bumpers
Electric mirrors
Headlight washers
Heated mirrors
Height adjustable drivers seat
Partial leather seat trim
Sports seats
Quadrifoglio optional equipment
Cruise control
Driver`s airbag
Electric driver`s seat
Electric passenger`s seat
Front electric windows
Front fog lights
Heated seats
Isofix child seat anchor points
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Parking sensors
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Remote locking
Side airbags
Quadrifoglio NRing equipment
Quadrifoglio NRing standard equipment
Audio remote
Body coloured bumpers
Electric mirrors
Headlight washers
Height adjustable drivers seat
Parking sensors
Partial leather seat trim
Sports seats
Quadrifoglio NRing optional equipment
Cruise control
Driver`s airbag
Electric driver`s seat
Electric passenger`s seat
Front electric windows
Front fog lights
Heated mirrors
Heated seats
Isofix child seat anchor points
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Remote locking
Side airbags
Speciale equipment
Speciale standard equipment
Audio remote
Cruise control
Electric driver`s seat
Electric mirrors
Electric passenger`s seat
Front fog lights
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Height adjustable drivers seat
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Parking sensors
Speciale optional equipment
Remote locking
Sprint equipment
Sprint standard equipment
Body coloured bumpers
Electric driver`s seat
Electric mirrors
Electric passenger`s seat
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Lumbar support
Remote locking
Sprint optional equipment
Cloth seat trim
Cruise control
Driver`s airbag
Front electric windows
Heated mirrors
Height adjustable drivers seat
Isofix child seat anchor points
Leather seat trim
Parking sensors
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Side airbags
Super equipment
Super standard equipment
Audio remote
Cruise control
Height adjustable drivers seat
Super optional equipment
Electric driver`s seat
Electric passenger`s seat
Front fog lights
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Parking sensors
Partial leather seat trim
Remote locking
Super [Xenon] equipment
Super [Xenon] standard equipment
Same as basic equipment
Super [Xenon] optional equipment
None available
Ti equipment
Ti standard equipment
Body coloured bumpers
Electric driver`s seat
Electric mirrors
Electric passenger`s seat
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Leather seat trim
Parking sensors
Remote locking
Ti optional equipment
Audio remote
Cruise control
Front fog lights
Height adjustable drivers seat
Lumbar support
Veloce equipment
Veloce standard equipment
Body coloured bumpers
Electric driver`s seat
Electric mirrors
Electric passenger`s seat
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Leather seat trim
Lumbar support
Remote locking
Veloce optional equipment
Cruise control
Driver`s airbag
Front electric windows
Heated mirrors
Height adjustable drivers seat
Isofix child seat anchor points
Parking sensors
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Side airbags
Veloce Ti equipment
Veloce Ti standard equipment
Body coloured bumpers
Electric mirrors
Headlight washers
Heated seats
Partial leather seat trim
Remote locking
Sports seats
Veloce Ti optional equipment
None available
Euro NCAP Rating – 5 stars
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV was tested by Euro NCAP in 2017 and was awarded a 5 star overall rating.
This overall rating is calculated from the following individual ratings:
Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.
The safety ratings are determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP.
These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.