Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Review

When you think of buying an SUV, Alfa Romeo probably isn't the first brand that springs to mind.

It's not exactly known for hauling prams or the occasional Bunnings haul. And when you think of a performance SUV, you're more likely to picture a Porsche Macan or BMW X3 M than something wearing an Alfa badge.

But that's exactly what makes the Stelvio Quadrifoglio so intriguing.

Alfa Romeo hasn't built this car to follow trends or fit into the mould of what an SUV should be. It's built to stand out, turn heads, and remind the world that even a high-riding family hauler can deliver a driving experience that makes you grin like an idiot.

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio isn't a car you buy with your head. It's the sort of purchase you make with your heart - and then hide from your accountant for as long as humanly possible.

With a starting price tag of $175,896 driveaway, it's the kind of SUV that demands a love of performance and a willingness to sidestep awkward questions about "financial priorities."

This isn't an SUV for the average suburban family. This is a car for people who want their SUV to go vroom in a way that no Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4 could ever dream of. It's a performance car with a back seat and a boot, designed to give you thrills on the way to work or the shops.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is equal parts exhilarating and exasperating, but one thing's for sure - you'll never call it boring.

What's the Stelvio Quadrifoglio like to drive?

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio has a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 375kW of power and 600Nm of torque.

That's enough grunt to leave a Porsche Macan GTS staring at itself in the mirror wondering where it all went wrong.

The acceleration is savage. This isn't the kind of car where you ease onto the freeway; it's the kind where you arrive at 110 km/h so quickly you're left wondering if you accidentally stumbled into Bathurst.

It does 0 -100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, and it feels every bit as exciting as those numbers suggest.

And fuel? Well, let's just say that the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine has a thirst to match its speed. Official figures are 10.2L/100km, but spirited driving will likely see you well into the teens.

Throw it through a corner and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio sticks like glue, thanks to a heap of grip and perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

And the noise. The exhaust note is a fantastic combination of pops, crackles and roars that makes you want to downshift every chance you get. You can tone it down to a more civilised level via the drive mode selector …. But you won't.

Even if you're just pulling into the driveway, you'll do it with all the theatre of an F1 car coming into the pits.

Your neighbours might hate you, but they'll also be a little bit jealous.

But then there's the ride. You'd expect some firmness in a performance SUV, but the Stelvio takes it to another level. On smooth roads, it's brilliant, but the moment you hit anything resembling a pothole or coursechip, you'll feel it in places you didn't know you had.

It's like driving a work of art that occasionally punches you in the ribs.

What's the Stelvio Quadrifoglio like inside?

Step inside, and you're greeted by a cabin that feels sporty and luxurious in equal measure.

There's carbon fibre everywhere, leather-wrapped everything, and a sense that Alfa Romeo really cares about making you feel special.

The seats are supportive and look the part, and are electronically adjustable so you can get set up nice and easy.

The 8.8-inch infotainment system, while functional, feels a little dated compared to rivals. It's fine if all you want is navigation and a decent sound system, but it doesn't have the slickness of, say, BMW's iDrive.

Still, it's intuitive enough that you won't need a degree in computer science to figure it out. And you do get Wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto too, which adds a more familiar interface for you to use.

Space in the second row is decent for a mid-sized SUV, but calling it spacious would be a stretch. Kids will have plenty of room, adults will be fine, however their knees will be close if not pressed against the seats in front.

What's the Stelvio Quadrifoglio boot like?

Here's where the Stelvio reminds you that it's an SUV, albeit one that prefers track days to bunnings runs.

With 525 litres of boot space, it's practical enough for a weekend away or a decent grocery shop.

Fold the rear seats down, and you get 1,600 litres - enough for a few big-ticket Black Friday bargains.

It's not class-leading, though. The BMW X3 and Audi Q5 offer more room.

How safe is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio?

The Stelvio comes with a solid suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking.

It's been awarded a five-star ANCAP rating, which is reassuring if you plan to use it for ferrying your loved ones around.

However, the tech doesn't feel as polished as some of its rivals.

The lane-keeping assist, for instance, can be a bit overzealous, tugging at the wheel in a way that feels more like a nagging parent than a helpful co-pilot. And while the adaptive cruise works well, it lacks the sophistication of systems found in the Volvo XC60 or Mercedes GLC.

Stelvio Quadrifoglio ownership costs

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is competitive and reassuring for a car in this segment. Alfa Romeo also offers five years of capped-price servicing, which is a nice touch for an Italian performance car.

The servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000 km, and the pricing is as below:

• 12 months/15,000 kms = $920
• 24 months/30,000kms = $1,270
• 36 months/45,000 kms = $920
• 28 months/60,000 kms = $2,650
• 60 months/75,000 kms = $910
• Grand total over 5 years = $6,670

Unless you're obscenely rich, it's worth factoring that into your budget.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Review: Verdict

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a car that appeals to the heart more than the head.

It's breathtakingly fast, sounds incredible and looks like nothing else on the road. It's also firm-riding, expensive to maintain and slightly impractical compared to more mainstream SUVs.

But here's the thing: cars like this aren't about ticking boxes.

They're about excitement and making every drive feel like an event. If you can live with its quirks the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is one of the most thrilling SUVs money can buy.