Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce (2022 - )

Alfa Romeo’s stylish Stelvio SUV has been given a fresh new look for 2023 with a strong family resemblance to the recently-launched Tonale. Customers can choose from three richly equipped trim levels called Sprint and Veloce, along with a Competizione special series.

The entry-level Sprint model offers owners the full Alfa experience without breaking the bank, while the Veloce further enhances the sportiness and performance of the car. Step up to Competizione, which is based on the Veloce trim, and sits at the top of the line-up and it offers even more dynamically-enhanced driving systems along with a more imposing appearance.

On the engine front, there is a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol engine across the range delivering 280hp or 2.2-litre diesel units with 210hp. All models have a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and they are also all-wheel drive too with Q4 technology.

We opted for the Stelvio Veloce powered by the 280hp petrol engine.

All Stelvio cars from the entry-level Sprint upwards have a strong road presence thanks to their dynamic styling with the 3+3 headlights that are a nod to the iconic Alfa Romeo SZ Zagato. These feature full-LED adaptive Matrix lights.

There are redesigned front and lower grilles, a choice of alloy wheels, along with twin tailpipes, smoked rear lights, tinted windows and red brake calipers.

Moving inside, the interior has been modernised with a new 12.3-inch digital driver display screen that can be customised into three layouts called Evolved, Relax and Heritage. 

There is an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with 3D navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, an eight-speaker sound system and full climate control.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include powered and heated black leather sports seats, a newly designed gear lever, a sports steering wheel, plenty of carbon-looking trimmings and a rotary dial that offers easy access to many on-board features without the distraction of prodding at a touchscreen.

And you even get proper physical controls for all the air conditioning functions which, again, is far more practical than navigating an over-complicated touchscreen menu simply to turn up the temperature.

With its slightly elevated driving position, there is good all-round visibility with the reversing camera, along with sensors proving invaluable when squeezing into a tight parking space.

Alfa has built an established and enviable reputation for developing beautifully styled cars that can deliver on the performance front too. And the Stelvio Veloce maintains those high expectations. 

With 280hp and 400Nm of torque, the five-door Stelvio can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and onto a top speed of 143mph. 

The acceleration through the eight-speed automatic transmission is both smooth and responsive with plenty of power on tap for shorter bursts of pace to overtake slower moving vehicles. This is a car that loves to show its capabilities when faced with twisting B roads and the grip through tight bends is flawless. 

For added driver fun, there are the traditionally large steering wheel mounted paddles to change gears manually and the driver can also flick through drive modes called d,n,a. The ‘d’ is for Dynamic and sharpens up the reactions considerably, the ‘n’ is for Natural and is like an auto mode while the ‘a’ stands for Advanced Efficiency to maximise fuel economy.

It’s an engaging car to drive with agility galore and special mention to the multi-link rear axle and double wishbone front axle suspension that somehow made our pitted roads seem reasonable to drive along. The ride is quite firm, but remember this is a sports-based car after all.

The Stelvio is a very capable motorway cruiser and can also cope well on the school run with nicely weighted steering and unimpeded all-round visibility which is always a bonus. 

The Alfa Romeo is billed as an SUV and that means it needs to deliver on the practicality front. And, in most parts, it does just that.

The car has sporty good looks while still offering plenty of versatility along the way. It stretches 4,866mm in length, is 2,163mm wide and 1,693mm high. 

The cabin offers generous levels of space up front for a couple of six footers to sit comfortably. In the rear, leg room is not so generous, especially if the front seats are pushed right back. It would be fine for a trio of youngsters though or a couple of adults over shorter trips.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate, but there was a slight problem with the design somewhere along the line. That’s because after a heavy downpour (of which there are many these days) water dripped down on top of the person at the back of the car rather than away to the sides like normal.

That aside though, the capacity is generous enough with a 525-litre limit and this can easily be extended thanks to the split-folding rear seats.

In addition, there is a glovebox, central cubby bin with a wireless charging pad, door pockets, front and rear cup holders, plus seat back nets to store bits and pieces.

With regards to costs, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio line-up ranges from £47,355 for the entry-level Sprint model with the 201hp engine to £58,740 for the Competizione with the 280hp unit.

Our test car in Veloce style and powered by the 280hp engine was priced at £54,240 although a Driver Assistance Pack, along with dark tinted rear windows, bumped up the final price-tag to £56,740.

According to official figures, under WLTP testing, the vehicle could deliver a combined 33.2mpg with carbon emissions of 192g/km.

That CO2 figure would result in a first-year Vehicle Excise Duty charge, or road tax as we generally call it, of £1,565 dropping to the standard rate of £180 after 12 months. However, with a price that exceeds £40k the car is subject to a government premium car levy which adds a further £390 to the annual costs from years two to six.

And, for potential business drivers, the Benefit in Kind rating of 37 per cent is not that rewarding either. The vehicle sits in insurance group 37.

It’s always nice to have a choice and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers a very viable option to some of the German and British marques out there.

Yes, it will always have its critics and they will mainly rant on about unreliable electrics, but things have improved over the generations and the latest models are more dependable, albeit not perfect.

One thing is guaranteed though and that’s its Italian chic and appeal. It’s a car that will get noticed for its gorgeous lines and its raspy engine note wherever it passes by.