Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (2022 - )

Alfa purists might hate the notion of an SUV sullying the brand, but everyone, even supercar manufacturers, is making them nowadays.

And why not? Who’s to say you can’t put performance in a big, top-heavy car?

Alfa has tried it with the Stelvio, and the hot version, the Quadrifoglio, wowed critics with performance characteristics that belied its larger frame.

Now, Alfa has added a pinch of glory on top to mark the 100th anniversary of the Quadrifoglio moniker.

It translates as 'four-leaf clover,' and it's the equivalent of BMW's M badge. It was first used on the Alfa Romeo RL, which won the prestigious Targa Florio race in Sicily in 1923.

Not only that but the Stelvio is named after the famous Stelvio Pass, an incredibly scenic road full of twists and turns that links Italy with Austria.

We’ll hope the Stelvio is good at taking corners, then.

Unlike the standard Stelvio, which has three trims, the Quadrifoglio version has just one.

Nevertheless, it combines all the features of the standard version, adding much garnish on top.

That includes 20-inch dark alloys, an 8.8-inch infotainment system with navigation, a digital radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Harman Kardon sound system with 14 speakers, and a 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument display.

You also get a wireless phone charging pad, six-way power adjustment in the front seats (which are heated), dual-zone climate control, aluminium sports pedals, and paddle shifters that sit behind a heated steering wheel.

Keyless entry, full LED matrix headlights, and an automatic tailgate complete a generous equipment list.

As for power, it’s a 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 petrol lump – the same one as before, only tweaked to provide a 10PS power increase on the old model, now producing 520PS.

From some angles, the standard Stelvio can look too rounded for a sporty SUV, but the Quadrifoglio adds some additional aggression.

Prominent creases and an even more muscular front end set the tone for what this car is all about.

The front features Alfa's trefoil triangular grille, while the lower grille is divided into two elongated sections on either side. Tapering headlights create a menacing facial expression.

A couple of prominent indentations and creases in the doors help to bring out its character, while a quad-exhaust system at the back completes the look.

Inside, it’s a similar story.

While the interior isn't entirely on par with the German premium brands and is essentially unchanged from the original Stelvio in 2016, it's lasted the test of time and still looks gorgeous.

The minor tweaks, though, help transform the look. Carbon fibre patterns on the centre console, the doors, and the dashboard brighten things up, along with plenty of brushed aluminium trim.

The aluminium extends to the pleasing-to-the-touch gearshift paddles, while the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind them is clear and informative. It offers four display layouts, including a new one called 'Race'.

To the left of the driver, the gear lever and its surrounding area look purposeful. They are sat next to three rotary dials, one of which controls the infotainment system.

It is housed within an 8.8-inch screen, which is clear and customisable, made up of widgets that can be dragged around by touching the screen.

While the system isn’t as good as the one you’d find in a BMW or Audi, it nevertheless does a good job and has a reasonably attractive layout.

Likewise, the build quality isn't entirely on par with those marques but is nevertheless impressive.

You can even remotely control various car features using a phone app. This app includes an option to send information alerts to Amazon Alexa, such as warning you if your car leaves a particular area.
 

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is lightning quick – and not just for an SUV.

Nought to 62mph takes just 3.8 seconds, which is 0.1 seconds faster than the lighter, smaller Giulia Quadrifoglio saloon, which uses the same mill and chassis.

The secret is that where the Giulia has rear-wheel drive, the Stelvio has all-wheel drive, so it benefits from improved traction off the line.

A top speed of 175mph isn’t exactly shabby either – and no, it’s not limited to 155mph.

But it’s not just headline figures that are notable – the way the Stelvio does what it does is also truly excellent.

The paddle shifters result in quick gear changes from the eight-speed automatic gearbox. And hitting the accelerator pedal results in minimal delay before you feel the power being transferred to the wheels.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, the Stelvio handles superbly for an SUV, with agility to match the best in the business.

The precise steering feels good in your hands as you take a corner at speed, and the Stelvio responds accordingly.

By default, slightly more clout is sent to the rear wheels, so you can drift the back end out as you go around a bend, then power your way out of the slide as you exit the corner, aided by the Stelvio's limited-slip differential.

Ride comfort is decent, albeit a little firmer than the Giulia saloon due to the need to cope with the extra weight, but it’s never uncomfortable.

You can adjust the comfort levels by changing the driving mode, though quite why you’d want to use ‘Race’ mode, which turns off every piece of electronic gadgetry that might prevent you from having an accident, is anyone’s guess.

Best save that one for a track day.

We stuck to Dynamic mode on the road, which provided the best blend of performance and comfort.
 

There is plenty of room up front in the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, so you can sit comfortably without rubbing shoulders with a front-seat passenger.

The six-way electric adjustment in the front seats, which are heated for added convenience, makes it easy to find a suitable driving position.

The driving position is relatively high, which helps with visibility out of the front, although thick pillars hampered it somewhat. At the same time, rearward view is even more heavily restricted, but a rear-view camera and parking sensors help overcome this.

Competitors offer more space in the rear, but it'll only be cramped if you've got three adults in the back. Unless you have the unfortunate combination of tall occupants in the front and rear, you should find the legroom sufficient.

The sloping roof slightly reduces rear headroom, but this isn't a problem unless you're very tall.

Boot capacity is measured at 525 litres, expanding to 1,600 litres if you put the rear seats down, which fold away in a handy 40:20:40 configuration, while the lack of a boot lip helps slide more oversized items in and out.

You will also find plenty of storage space elsewhere in the Stelvio, including a large cubby underneath the central armrest, sizeable door pockets (especially in the front), four cupholders, and some USB sockets.
 

Nobody buys an SUV, let alone a performance SUV, on its excellent fuel economy.

That’s good, then, as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio returns just 23.9mpg.

Cylinder deactivation means some of the 2.9-litre V6’s cylinders won’t be used when they’re not required, but it doesn’t translate into anything approaching an economical fuel consumption figure.

The question, then, is whether you care.

It is a similar story with emissions – 267g/km of CO2 to be precise – resulting in a first-year road tax bill of £2,605, followed by five years of £750 at today’s figures.

You won't be driving past many petrol stations. If you're a company car user, you can spend the time at the pumps calculating the savings you would’ve made with a plug-in hybrid or electric car, attracting significant discounts for Benefit in Kind tax.

Depreciation is another big issue for Alfas, whose prices tend to drop more than those of their main rivals.

And then there's unreliability - Alfa Romeo's old chestnut - although some league tables say that the Stelvio appears to be the exception to the rule in that respect.

A basic three-year warranty is offered for reassurance – and there's no mileage limit.
 

If you're after a performance SUV, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a competent candidate for your money.

Yes, it's beaten in just about every department by a BMW X3 M, but do those tiny differences matter when we're talking about an Alfa Romeo?

Some old Alfas were all about the fashion-icon looks, the style, and the brand, but they weren't perfect to drive.

That is certainly not the case anymore – and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio puts up an excellent argument for itself.

It handles superbly for an SUV, is powerful, has an excellent engine and transmission – and you can drive it in the comfort of a lovely, reasonably spacious interior.

Buy a BMW X3 M if you want, but what more could you ask for when you can drive around in a car as good-looking as the Alfa?