The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio can definitely motor. It holds the Nürburgring record for a U.S.-market SUV at 7:51.7. It can rip a zero-to-60 time of 3.6 seconds while topping out at 176 mph.
And prices for a new one start at $80,500.
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Yes, the side bolsters can be adjusted. Reach down and you’ll find two buttons towards the back of the seat bottom. Okay, there you go.
The Stelvio’s numbers are impressive. What’s it like to drive? Yeah, it pulls hard–I know, understatement of the day. But it does so just so effortlessly. Crisp shifts. The driveline delivers the total package.
Here’s how to fully enjoy this one.
Step 1: Fire it up. (Don’t look like a rookie: The on/off button is located at about the 7 o’clock position on the steering wheel.)
Step 2: Turn the Drive Mode Selector to Dynamic. (Look for the knob just west of the shifter.)
Step 3: Go hoon.
The exhaust note alone is worth the effort required to turn that knob one click to access the Dynamic mode.
Alfa refreshed the interior for 2020 and, yeah, things feel better. I’ll be honest, past Alfas interiors haven’t been there with the rest of the class–nowhere near BMW, for example. Close, yes, but not in the same league.
Now, though, yeah, the Alfa feels premium. Switches, knobs, buttons and other things that you touch now have a premium feel.
Thank you, Alfa Romeo, for the non-gimicky shifter, too. No knobs, no buttons. You rock the stick more than you stir it, but it’s still intuitive.
Gauges look right. Good steering wheel.
Ours came loaded, too, boosting the price from that $80,500 or so base MSRP to north of $95,000. How’s that? Well, $8000 alone for Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Do we need track-capable brakes on an SUV? More on that in a few.
Let’s switch gears for one sec: The Stelvio looks good, too. It has its own face, something that stands out among the usual from the usual suspects.
Speaking of the regulars, this or something wearing a different badge–maybe a BMW, AMG or something else from a foreign land? Good question. Each has its own feel.
You can argue that the Alfa is the fastest of the bunch, but does that really matter when carrying the family to grandma’s house? Then it’s really just about bragging rights–which, I hear, are important to some people.
But, if performance is so paramount, why not package all of this performance–including those tasty brakes–in something that sits a little closer to the pavement?
They sure are pretty inside and out; however, those sport seats aren't made for barrel chested and/or thic thighs. My plums had no way to breath with how thick those bolsters on the bottom cushion. Same can be said for the torso area as well. That car made me feel fat and I'm in pretty good shape lol.
Did you open up the bolsters? That helped in the comfort department.
Buy one in a year for $40k. Get the extended bazillion year warranty and pray the one Alfa dealer in town doesn't go out of business. Spend a lot of time there and hope you always get a free loaner car.
I still don't trust Alfa's reliability, particularly with the rotten luck multiple car magazines had with the Quadrafoglio press cars/loan term cars they had.
docwyte said:Buy one in a year for $40k. Get the extended bazillion year warranty and pray the one Alfa dealer in town doesn't go out of business. Spend a lot of time there and hope you always get a free loaner car.
I still don't trust Alfa's reliability, particularly with the rotten luck multiple car magazines had with the Quadrafoglio press cars/loan term cars they had.
Correct me if I'm wrong; but, aren't most of the Alfa dealers partnered with FIAT brands in the states? I.e. any Chrysler/FIAT service center should be able to handle those affairs if that were to happen.
DirtyBird222 said:docwyte said:Buy one in a year for $40k. Get the extended bazillion year warranty and pray the one Alfa dealer in town doesn't go out of business. Spend a lot of time there and hope you always get a free loaner car.
I still don't trust Alfa's reliability, particularly with the rotten luck multiple car magazines had with the Quadrafoglio press cars/loan term cars they had.
Correct me if I'm wrong; but, aren't most of the Alfa dealers partnered with FIAT brands in the states? I.e. any Chrysler/FIAT service center should be able to handle those affairs if that were to happen.
local dodge/jeep/chrysler/fiat dealer wont touch alfa's.
docwyte said:Buy one in a year for $40k. Get the extended bazillion year warranty and pray the one Alfa dealer in town doesn't go out of business. Spend a lot of time there and hope you always get a free loaner car.
I still don't trust Alfa's reliability, particularly with the rotten luck multiple car magazines had with the Quadrafoglio press cars/loan term cars they had.
Did you know that you can also buy a new one for $40k? Well, $41,400 for the base model. Standard engine is the 280-horsepower, 306 lb.-ft. turbo-four backed with an eight-speed auto.
Ooh, you got another one to try out?
Jordan Rimpela (Forum Unterstützer) said:Ooh, you got another one to try out?
We did. I guess to sample the interior upgrades. Still fast.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Nice! Hopefully this time minus nails in tires. T'was a sad day.
Oh yeah, forgot about that. Nope, no issues at all. It went back home a-okay.
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