2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio review

Alfa Romeo’s sporty mid-sized SUV is named after the Stelvio Pass, a renowned driving road in northern Italy, where high-altitude hairpin turns and steep inclines provide the perfect fodder for performance vehicles. 

Having arrived on our shores in 2018, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio presented as the carmaker’s first SUV offering and has undergone a few tweaks over the years. 

2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio specs and pricing 

Its latest refresh comes in three trim levels. The Ti ($76,450) and Veloce ($82,950) share the same powertrain from before – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 206kW and 400Nm in AWD. The high-performance Quadrifoglio ($162,700) has a 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo 375kW/600Nm engine and, at the time of writing, was slated for a December 2023 release. 

How does the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio look? 

There’s nary an obvious exterior giveaway the Stelvio has had a facelift, but the design still manages to look current. Matrix LED headlights have replaced the bi-xenons and the Alfa-distinctive triangular central grille and lower sides have been slightly revised. Buyers are more likely to notice updates on the inside where a fully digital 12.3-inch driver display headlines with three different layouts to choose from.  

Standard features include 19-inch alloys, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, wireless charging pad, heated six-way power adjustable front seats, dual-zone air-con, hands-free tailgate and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A host of unintrusive advanced driver assistance systems boost the Stelvio’s safety credentials and its five-star ANCAP rating carries over from its first iteration. Our Veloce test vehicle adds 20-inch alloys, red brake callipers, aluminium insert materials and shift paddles, privacy glass and 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio. 

How does the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio drive?

Sliding into the Stelvio Veloce’s sport front seats suggests this is more than just a suburban runabout SUV. The side bolsters are bordering on too snug and a push-button start is located on the steering wheel, rather than being hidden behind it or somewhere else on the dash, adding a race car feel that hints at Alfa Romeo’s storied motorsport heritage. Rear passengers get plenty of leg and head room but the seat backs feel a bit upright and can’t be reclined. 

The Stelvio Veloce’s sportiness comes to the fore on winding country roads. Steering is sharp and light, only requiring short turns with a sensitivity that takes some getting used to, while acceleration is smooth and strong. It’s even punchier in D (dynamic) mode and is easily shifted from the default N (natural) or A (advanced efficiency) modes on the fly using a centre console dial. The engaging drive doesn’t come at the expense of ride comfort either, with the Stelvio handling road irregularities well. Minor gripes are letterbox-like vision out the rear and oversized paddle shifters with a tendency to get in the way of fingers reaching for the indicator stalk. 

The Stelvio requires 95 RON petrol or above and we recorded an economical 7.18L/100km on our mostly highway and back road circuit while alternating between drive modes, almost on point to the claimed 7.0L/100km.  

With its focus on the driver, the Stelvio sets itself apart from other mid-size SUVs and this update goes some way to keeping it fresh until a second generation arrives, which is rumoured to be electric in 2026. The Italian carmaker was a latecomer to SUV party and has only a fraction of the sales of class rivals here, but standing out from the crowd is something Alfa Romeo drivers appreciate.