The Alfa Romeo Stelvio (Chinese name: 斯坦维) is the first SUV introduced by Italian marque Alfa Romeo in 2016. Its moniker is derived from Italy's legendary Stelvio Pass, renowned globally for its 48 switchback hairpin bends and revered as a driving mecca among petrolheads worldwide. Built upon the Giorgio rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Giulia sports saloon, the Stelvio inherits Alfa Romeo's century-old motorsport DNA and quintessential Italian design flair.
Positioned as a mid-size luxury performance SUV, the Stelvio goes head-to-head with handling-focused German rivals like the BMW X3 and Porsche Macan. Official guide prices in China range from RM357,000 to RM445,000. Sold as a fully imported (CBU) model in the Chinese market, the 2024 model year line-up is offered in multiple trim levels, namely Sprint, Veloce, Competizione, and Tributo Italiano. Over in Taiwan, the Stelvio marked the brand's official return in September 2025 after an 18-year hiatus, available in Sprint and Intensa trims with recommended retail pricing at RM2,289,000 and RM2,589,000 respectively.
The Stelvio's exterior styling stays true to Alfa Romeo's signature design heritage. Its most recognizable frontal feature is the iconic inverted triangular (V-shaped) smoked Trefoil front grille, flanked by sharp Matrix LED headlamps with 3+3 lighting signatures that lend the SUV an aggressive and commanding road presence. A dynamic silhouette with muscular flared wheel arches, sports aero styling, and a sleek sloping roofline further accentuates its athletic stance. Higher-spec variants are fitted with 21-inch petal-style alloy wheels and red Brembo brake callipers.
Inside, the driver-centric cockpit seamlessly blends Italian craftsmanship with sporting luxury. The cabin features a 12.3-inch "Cannocchiale" telescopic full digital instrument cluster paired with an 8.8-inch HD multi-touch infotainment display. A sport steering wheel is fitted with oversized aluminium paddle shifters, accompanied by genuine leather or carbon-shell sport seats, while high-spec variants feature Tributo Italiano embroidered headrests and Italian tricolour accents.
The mainstream Stelvio line-up is powered by a 2.0-litre inline-4 twin-scroll longitudinal turbocharged petrol engine (1,995 cc). Featuring direct fuel injection alongside an all-aluminium cylinder head and block, the mill delivers 280 hp (206 kW) at 5,250 rpm and 400 Nm of peak torque. Drive is channelled via a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. It dispatches the 0-100 km/h century sprint in just 5.7 seconds, on to a top speed of 230 km/h, with a combined WLTC fuel economy of around 8.77 L/100 km.
Sitting at the apex of the range is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that pumps out a massive 510 hp. It rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.8 seconds, standing as the brand's ultimate high-performance flagship.
The Stelvio remains one of the rare contenders in its class built on a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive-biased architecture, paired standard with the Q4 All-Wheel Drive system. Underpinned by front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, it employs extensive Alfa™ Link lightweight aluminium components. It also boasts a class-exclusive carbon-fibre driveshaft, drastically cutting driveline rotational inertia for razor-sharp throttle response. A standard mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) on the rear axle actively shuffles torque between the rear wheels to maximise corner-exit traction.
The SUV features the Alfa™ DNA Pro drive mode selector offering D (Dynamic), N (Natural), and A (Advanced Efficiency) modes, with the Stelvio Quadrifoglio gaining a dedicated RACE mode. Clocking a moose test speed of 72.3 km/h, its handling precision ranks comfortably among the best in class.
On the in-car technology front, the Stelvio is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch centre touchscreen. The system supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
Comfort amenities include standard sport leather seats with electric adjustment, heating, and driver-side memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Audiophiles can look to higher variants equipped with a Harman Kardon premium audio system featuring a 14-speaker setup. Practicality-wise, its 2,818 mm wheelbase provides a boot capacity that expands from 499 litres up to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Stelvio comes standard with 6 airbags across the range. For active safety, it is equipped with a comprehensive Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite comprising Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Active Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition with Intelligent Speed Assist, and Driver Attention Alert. Braking performance is handled by an Integrated Brake System (IBS) brake-by-wire setup with Brembo four-piston front brake callipers.
Since its 2016 debut, the Stelvio has carved out a unique position in the luxury mid-size SUV market courtesy of its pure RWD-biased chassis balance, communicative steering, and punchy 2.0T powertrain. Automotive reviews widely laud its class-topping dynamic agility, making it a distinctive choice for true driving purists. However, its market performance has faced head-winds: relatively higher fuel consumption, a limited after-sales network, and slightly utilitarian interior fit-and-finish have to some extent constrained its wider adoption in China.
The Stelvio is set to enter an all-new generation in 2026. Built on Stellantis' STLA Large platform, the successor will offer hybrid and fully electric powertrain options, with an official market launch scheduled for 2026. As the pioneering SUV in Alfa Romeo's storied century-long history, the Stelvio continues to occupy a distinctive space in the global luxury sports SUV landscape, celebrated for its uncompromising Italian passion and motorsport heritage.
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