2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Review: First Impressions
CARS.COM — The reintroduction of Alfa Romeo to the U.S. market is about to get a big kick in the pantaloni with this model seen at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, the new 2018 Stelvio SUV. Built off of the same architecture that underpins the new Giulia mid-size performance sedan that we drove in October (and absolutely loved), the new Stelvio is Alfa’s first-ever SUV and arrives just in time to capitalize on the renewed interest in the class.
As good as the Giulia looks, with its muscular flanks and feline face, the Stelvio looks even better. The higher bodywork with the Alfa Romeo styling isn’t awkward at all, instead providing some better proportions of glass to sheet metal than the sedan, creating an aggressive, pumped-up look that (on the top-trim Quadrifoglio model, at least) promises dynamite performance.
Inside, the cabin that we were introduced to on the Giulia is stretched and lifted to fit taller SUV dimensions, and it works well. The larger glass area allows for better outward visibility with clear sightlines in all directions.
Material quality matches that of the Giulia, which is to say mostly good stuff with some questionable electronic displays for the gauge cluster and a multimedia system that feels simplistic and spartan.
The front seats are comfortable and headroom is plentiful thanks to the taller cabin. The backseat gets some improvements as well, with a bit more space for passengers’ feet and a much taller seat bottom bench that helps with general comfort. It’s still not what one would call spacious, but it definitely feels more usable than the cramped rear quarters of the Giulia.
The cargo area is competitively large, with room for some suitcases or tall boxes. The rear seats also fold to allow for a much more useful, practical cargo area.
If the Stelvio drives as well as the Giulia does, either in its monstrously powerful Quadrifoglio performance trim or the base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder form, it might actually be the one to get out of the two new Alfas.
All of the amazing chassis dynamics and mind-bending performance of the Giulia with the cargo capacity of an SUV? Sign me up.
