If the powerful Quadrifoglio version of Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio SUV is on your wish list, the time to buy one is closing quickly: The Italian carmaker confirmed that 2024 will be the last year the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is offered.
In the meantime, we can still enjoy the Stelvio Quadrifoglio we have for a week to drive and review.
Aside from …
It’s fast. Way fast.
And that speed comes with a price: During just regular driving–like, trying to be responsible–I’m not even seeing 17 mpg.
Fortunately we (again) live an era of $3/gallon gas. Otherwise, I might find myself walking.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio does beat walking, however, the pace notwithstanding.
The seats are snug. Not comically bolstered like the old Nismo Juke but think more Civic Type R. Plenty of side bolster for back and legs.
Solid steering feedback–let’s call it in the same class as an N-branded Hyundai–and all the brakes.
The ride is on the firm side. It’s not too tiring after an hour-plus behind the wheel, but the presence of those low-profile tires always lurks. And then it gets really firm when you engage the sport mode.
Some wind noise–like, a hint more than I’d like on the highway.
Okay, the gigantic paddle shifters: They don’t rotate with the steering wheel. (Are people really using them in an SUV?)
Good amount of knobs and buttons, but the center screen sometimes seems slow to react–like the little mouse powering it could use a nap or it’s time for a software update. Not nearly as intuitive as other options, too. Backup screen could be bigger, too.
Does the fit and finish live up to a vehicle with an MSRP nearing the six-figure mark? Not that anything’s lacking, but those knobs and switches don’t feel that special–think more GTI than Genesis. The GTI is a fine automobile, but its touch points are priced accordingly.
The regular Stelvio starts at about $45,000. To get into a new Quadrifoglio, you’re looking at close to $90,000.
And some road trips as Paris and I took this to ZCon.
Always good to take a rest from I-4. And, yes, I got the Good Spot.
The good: Comfortable and big enough for our gear while arriving in style.
The less good: Like 16 mpg.
Our dinner stop: White Castle!
Something that came up while driving around in this: Who is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio aimed at? Does the average consumer even remember the Alfa Romeo nameplate?Do people care about past achievements? Does an SUV really need to be this fast, especially when you consider the cost and NVH? And can Alfa compete with Porsche, BMW, Audi, Benz, Lexus and the rest of a rather crowded premium SUV segment?
Discuss.
One more small data point: Two showing in stock at our dealer here in Daytona Beach.
Just checked the local Alfa dealer (well, it's on the other side of the continental divide about 5 hours away). They have two. The cheap one is $97,320.
Why would I buy this instead of a Cayenne S?
Keith Tanner said:Why would I buy this instead of a Cayenne S?
Good question. Maybe to be a little different?
Does it smell really good inside? Do you automatically do the hand pinch thing?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
That would be a potential selling point for me if I had that kind of cash to spend.
Want to stand out from the Porsche Cayennes and Audi Q8s? Try a Stelvio.
Need more power? How does 500+ sound?
16mpg is good.
I drove one in the Autobahn last spring. About 10 at 140mph.
Mndsm said:Does it smell really good inside? Do you automatically do the hand pinch thing?
Nothing special and no, not really.
Small update: I’m up to 17 mpg!
Something that is cool and different: The carbon weave has a texture to it.
Turning this knob to d also gives the Alfa a nice rumble. The ride gets stiff, too–like, autocross Miata stiff.
$90,000??!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!!!?????!!?!
In reply to Tom Suddard :
Yeah, that.. So unless I hit the lottery, manage a hedge fund or start robbing banks no way I'll ever afford one new, and i'm too scared of Alfa's to buy one used. So while these things make my pants fit tight, i'll highly doubt i'll ever own one. But damn if they don't look and sound the business..
David S. Wallens said:Something that is cool and different: The carbon weave has a texture to it.
I really like that. I'll take that over piano black any day.
David S. Wallens said:Something that is cool and different: The carbon weave has a texture to it.
Very cool looking. But my first thought was: How hard is that going to be to clean. So many nooks and crannies to gather dust and sun screen...
In reply to ShawneeCreek :
Good question. Our test car has about 7300 miles on it, and I don’t see anything stuck in the weave. Can go out and take a closer look.
So, I know that I'm in the minority here and that this makes me seem like an old guy yelling at clouds but I still don't get CUVs at all. Much less an expensive performance one. They're too small to really haul stuff. They're too low to be really used off road. At the same time they're too big and tall to really be good performance vehicles. OK, if you regularly need to carry six people and aren't good at parking then maybe a six row CUV might makes sense but a minivan might be even better.
That being said (or, typed) I'm a firm beliver that people should be able to drive whatever road legal vehicle they want and if this floats their boat and they can afford it, more power to them. In the unlikely event I ever shell out that kind of cash for a car I can't imagine that I'll even consider this. One of the Giulias with the 500hp V6 on the other hand; that I'd like.
Just went out to take a few more photos of the Alfa’s carbon interior bits. What’d I see drive by? Some of today‘s greatest CUV hits from Toyota, Hyundai, Porsche and Kia. I hear you, but the market says otherwise.
ShawneeCreek said:David S. Wallens said:Something that is cool and different: The carbon weave has a texture to it.
Very cool looking. But my first thought was: How hard is that going to be to clean. So many nooks and crannies to gather dust and sun screen...
Since you asked, just went out and took a deeper look at the carbon interior bits. The odometer currently shows 7327 miles. Those include a lot of journalist miles, but the company that manages the fleet keeps everything clean.
Anyway, back to the carbon. It all looks and feels new to me–crisp edges without any embedded gunk.
Driver-side upper door trim.
Wow that's pretty. Bet it makes good noises as well.
That's quite expensive.
I'm sure somebody will love having one of these. I'd prefer the Giulia Quadrifoglio, and it looks like is less expensive, too.
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