2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti

March 1, 2018

Lindsay Brooke

It had to happen: Alfa Romeo doing an SUV. And I suppose it’s about time, com- ing 16 years after the Porsche Cayenne debuted and even following Bentley and Maserati’s prestige utility vehicles. Named for a daunting, serpentine Italian mountain road, the shapely Stelvio is brilliant in some ways and frustratingly sub-par in others.

Like classic Alfas of yore, the Stelvio forces the driver to put up with annoyances while at the same time honoring its heritage with superb performance.

This crossover is a blast to drive, as all Alfas should be. The 280-hp (208- kW), turbocharged 2.0-L and 8-speed ZF combination are sympatico whether charging up a freeway on-ramp or burbling along back roads, the tailpipes barking nicely on overrun.

And Stelvio’s quick steering, secure handling and overall braking dynamics are outstanding. Ride quality on most pavement is firm but not stiff. Like the lithe Giulia sedan whose platform it shares, Stelvio is a fine accomplice on lively roads.

If only the overall interior experience was as good as the Stelvio’s dynamics. The driver’s over-the-shoulder vision is blocked by rear-seat head restraints, squat D-pillars and small rear windows. The infotainment and electronic gearchange are non-intuitive and clunky in many aspects. My tester was only aver- age in terms of overall cabin noise levels during steady-state cruising. And the brand’s reputation for long-term quality has much room for improvement.

Sports-car purists used to call such split personality ‘character.’ But the lure of the Alfa Romeo, she talks to me, this Stelvio...