Text by Tom Appel
2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Compact Crossover
Country of Manufacture: Italy
Color: Alfa Rosso
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 332.0
Real-world fuel economy: 22.1 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B- |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B- |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 280-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged four |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/28/24 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium Gas
Base price: $48,995 (not including $1995 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Veloce Package ($2025), special paint ($695), Active Driver Assistance Package ($700), sun roof ($1500), 20-inch alloy wheels ($1750)
Price as tested: $57,660
Pros and Cons
The great: Fun to drive, feisty nature
The good: Decent fuel economy, impressive braking performance
The not so good: Lacks the refinement and tech of other vehicles in the category
Review
If you’re worried about what’s going on at Alfa Romeo, you probably should be. The brand’s hyper-caffeinated twin-turbocharged V6 has disappeared, leaving the maker’s three remaining models to soldier on with just a turbocharged 4-cylinder mill. But what a mill it is.
No More V6
To be fair, the entry-level Tonale uses a different engine than the small Giulia sedan, and small Stelvio crossover. The V6 had only been available in the Giulia and Stelvio, and then only in pricey Quadrifoglio trim levels.
But while the over-achieving 505-horsepower V6 is gone, we’re here to tell you that the Stelvio is still a blast to drive, and—all things considered—not especially expensive by category standards.
Prices and Trim Levels
Though Alfa Romeo for some reasons describes the Stelvio as midsize, it is very much a compact crossover, and on the small side even then. The model lineup has been edited down to just three trim levels, and really just two. We’ll explain in a moment…
Gone for 2025 are the Stelvio Sprint, Ti, and the aforementioned Quadrifoglio. For 2025, Alfa’s lone crossover is offered only in base ($48,995), Veloce ($48,995), and Tributo Italiano Special Edition ($50,995) trim levels. And as the Veloce is really just a package ($2025) offered on the base, this is actually just a two-trim-level lineup.
Engines
The lone 2025 powertrain consists of a 280-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinlder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. For 2025, AWD is standard across the board.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week in a 2025 Stelvio with the Veloce Package and optional 20-inch alloy wheels in Alfa Rosso. All told, our test car came to $57,660.
Veloce Package
As for the Veloce Package, it’s pretty inclusive given the price. Among the features found as part of the $2025 group are: unique exterior trim, sport seats, a limited-slip differential, red brake calipers, and a free Alfa Connected Services trial. Seems like money well spent to us.
Cabin
Inside, the Stelvio looks very businesslike, with little brightwork, and maybe a little too few premium-feel trim bits. We like the cabin, it’s sporty and simple, but some luxury-car intenders may find it a little too…common.
The cabin works, though. Most controls fall readily to hand, and the general layout of knobs and switches is smart and efficient. Yes, the console screen is—by contemporary standards—tiny, but we didn’t find it deficient in general functionality. The digital instrument panel is larger, and plenty easy to read.
Room and Comfort
And while the Stelvio is only a couple of inches shorter than the BMW X3, it feels significantly smaller inside. While this large editor found the front-row plenty roomy once situated, entering and exiting the Stelvio was something of a chore. Meanwhile, rear-seat space is genuinely tight, and best left to younger and more agile passengers. The Stelvio is not a 4-pasenger long-haul cruiser.
Sport Seats
Speaking of this large editor, he did find the Veloce Package sport seats confining after a couple of hours behind the wheel. Short trips were fine, but a quick Chicago-to-Milwaukee (and back) run of about three and half hours proved uncomfortable. So, if you’re a big guy, consider skipping on the Veloce stuff.
Fun to Drive
But of enough about the practical stuff. And, frankly, on a feature-by-feature basis, the Stelvio trails the small premium crossover pack by a wide margin. The little Italian ute is cramped, dated, and a little loud and firm riding. That said, the Stelvio is easily the most entertaining vehicle in the class—also by a wide margin.
Power and Performance
Let’s start with power and performance. Though rated at a robust 280 horsepower, the Stelvio feels much quicker, clicking off reported 0-60 mph times of 5.4 seconds. The Stelvio’s excellent 8-speed automatic is always ready with quick shifts, and is both decisive and refined. Plus, the engine makes classy, machine-like noise that adds to the overall visceral experience.
Steering Feel
Even better than the power and power delivery are the Stelvio’s ride and handling characteristics. We’ll start with the steering which is beefy, rich with feedback, and wonderfully accurate. There is a go-kart-like flingabiliy to the Stelvio that the rest of the industry lost back in the Nineties.
Ride and Handling
Handling is likewise athletic and precise, and plenty engaging if you enjoy that sort of thing. And, for the record, we enjoy that sort of thing.
Yes, the there are tradeoffs for the performance: The cabin is a little loud, the ride a little firm, and long-trip comfort is compromised somewhat by the Stelvio’s “edgy” highway demeanor. And if you enjoy driving as much as we do, those are absolutely reasonable tradeoffs.
Fuel Economy
Yet, despite driving the Stelvio aggressively—and it is difficult to not drive the Stelvio aggressively—we saw better than 22 mpg. We would not have been surprised to see 16 mpg.
Value
All this fun comes at a price, but it need not be an especially high price. As the base Stelvio starts at around $50,000, and comes with all the sporty stuff available for the vehicle—save for the limited-slip rear axle and 20-inch alloy wheels—you can put together a delightfully fun Alfa for much less money than a similarly sporty version of the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC.
It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s great looking. And if you’re looking for a little adventure from your next crossover–and a little parking-lot exclusivity–we suggest taking a long test drive in a Stelvio.
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