I have to apologise for my tardiness on the review of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, I have been busy with a project with the Italian marque, involving the Tonale (but keep that on the down low – it shall all be revealed in due time). The updated Stelvio launched a couple of weeks back and I was fortunate enough to attend the reveal held here in the Western Cape.
The Stelvio did have a lil’ facelift not so long ago, but this is a bit more of an update with two models hitting our shores. There is the 2.0T Veloce, which I got to experience, and the Quadrifoglio which arrives later this year. Just to give you an idea, in case you don’t already know, the Stelvio takes on the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Range Rover Evoque, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. These are all pretty strong contenders so Alfa is keeping the Stelvio relevant with this update.
Keeping it fresh is a new grille that also boasts new “3+3″ LED matrix headlights, which you would have seen on the new Tonale SUV. These have an integrated turn signal which always looks cool! And even cooler is the “Welcome and Goodbye” function which turns on every time the driver closes or opens the car. The tail lamps are also new.
Step inside and you will notice that there is a new 12.3-inch digital TFT display with three layout that include Evolved, Relax and Heritage. Evolved represents the future of Alfa Romeo design and uses the central area of the screen, despite keeping its two lateral quadrants in place. Relax focuses on comfort, is free of detailed vehicle information, and goes without the two quadrants. Heritage is inspired by the brand’s iconic Sixties’ and Seventies’ models, with distinctive details like inverted numbers at the end of the speedometer.
What’s interesting to note is that this new model is the same price as the outgoing one. And it is so comprehensively specced that the only option available is a sunroof that will cost you R20 000. Everything else is standard. That includes Leather seats, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, USB A and USB C ports, Wireless charging pad, heated seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, auto headlights and wipers, and tyre pressure sensors.
What has remained is Alfa’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine which produces 206 kW and 400 Nm of torque. Power is still sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It remains a dynamic, engaging and comfortable drive…although, I would prefer smaller wheels to add to the comfort. The 20-inch wheels make for that firmer ride. If you want to know more about now the Stelvio drives, check out my videos from a few years back when I first got to drive it.
If you are after safe and predictable, you will opt for one of the Stelvios competitors. But don’t close yourself off to this beauty. It offers something that is a little bit more exiting. A little bit more beautiful. A lot more Italian. And who doesn’t love Italy?
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO PRICING:
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce: R1 205 500
A five-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan is standard.
