Quick Review | A Final Goodbye for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

It first appeared seven years ago, but never really enjoyed the notoriety comparable to that of rival German offerings. Regardless, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio remains a case in point with its ability to sublimate the SUV label with its magnificent chassis and vigorous mechanics. We took the wheel of this sporty version before its end of the road.

The Stelvio is far from being an idle exercise. Everything starts from its foundations, very solid thanks to its Giorgio platform shared with the Giulia sedan, but also the Maserati GranTurismo coupe and the Maserati Grecale SUV.

It is therefore equipped with double wishbone front suspensions that sharpen its cornering behavior. Its extremely lively and precise steering – its gear ratio is 12:1 – enhances this intrinsic nervousness. This sporty livery of the Stelvio nevertheless remains very civilized in terms of adaptive damping.

The 2.9L V6 derived from a Ferrari engine also plays a big part in its identity. Equipped with two turbochargers to bring the count to 505 hp, it sings with its raspy voice throughout the rev range, letting out detonations when changing gears. It’s gripping, but the power isn’t instantaneous, this engine requiring some rhythm. Its eight-speed automatic transmission is appreciated when manual mode is activated using fixed aluminum paddles.

However, it is the all-wheel drive that shines even more in the exercise, transforming this nearly 2-ton SUV into a ballerina. It pivots with unsuspected ease, a sign of exceptional harmony between its mechanics and its chassis.

But, as nothing is perfect, its cabin remains cramped in the back and decorated with materials not worthy of its beautiful exterior. And what about this numbed infotainment system with its outdated image definition? We can nevertheless affirm that this Stelvio Quadrifoglio will have marked in a magnificent way a segment not very eager for sensations.