While this marks the last encounter with the four-leaf clover, it’s also the farewell tour for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s Ferrari-sourced V6 powerplant. By 2024, Alfa Romeo’s current lineup reaches its pinnacle, rendering this Italian model an unconventional yet captivating choice within a crowded market dominated by financially stronger rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 – a sports activities SUV that truly delivers thrills, excitement, and driving satisfaction.
In its latest evolution, we’ve witnessed a few key advancements compared to the last 2019 model we tested. Materials of high quality are only marginally enhanced throughout the cabin, featuring more refined leather stitching and subtly denser carbon fibre patterns. The sport seats have undergone a significant transformation, no longer resembling a hard, unforgiving surface; instead, they now offer a more comfortable and inviting experience. The designers have incorporated extra cushioning into the newly refined and luxurious headrests, a notable improvement over their former texture, which once featured an unconventional filling of moon rocks. I now consider this SUV to be a suitable choice for extended road trips. While the motive force’s gauges now feature a 12.3-inch TFT digital display screen offering three theme settings, a part of us can’t help but yearn for the classic appeal of analog instruments – an unrequited longing for what is no longer available.
Within its refined interior, the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio presents a warm welcome, boasting an abundance of premium features that collectively exude an air of upscale sportiness. A sleek, high-performance driving machine’s essence emanates from the steering wheel, where a Ferrari-esque “begin” button sprouts forth, accompanied by aluminum paddle shifters mounted on the column, exuding an aura of precision and speed. The cabin house offers ample space, comfortably accommodating a six-foot frame in any of its five generously proportioned seating areas. The rear row offers a generous amount of space, boasting considerable headroom, even when paired with the optional panoramic sunroof’s expansive view.
As the Stelvio ages fairly well over time, its styling remains current with discreet updates to the front and rear exterior design elements. We appreciate the modest approach to badge engineering, distinct from BMW’s M and AMG divisions that lavish attention on their high-performance variants.
The unmistakable signs that this can be a race-bred SUV include noticing the quad exhaust tips, prominent hood vents, and the simple clover badges on the front quarter panels, accompanied by a decrease-steering-wheel-spoke design and driver-oriented gauges. While maintaining its distinctive Alfa flair, the Stelvio still proudly sports its iconic triangular grille and teledial wheel motifs. While sharing a common platform, the Stelvio and Maserati Grecale exhibit contrasting designs that embody distinctively tailored Italian flair.
The primary allure of the Quadrifoglio lies in its potent powertrain, making its impending absence all the more lamentable in an era where eco-friendly options are gaining traction, gradually diminishing the appeal of this indulgent driving experience. In Italian, Quadrifoglio translates to the rare and auspicious four-leaf clover, a symbol of good fortune that has exclusively adorned Alfa Romeo’s most exceptional vehicles.
The Ferrari California T’s F154 engine has been adapted to create a powerful, all-aluminum 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Ferrari’s ageing V8 engine, minus its outer cylinders, now produces a reasonably tumultuous sound. To effectively marry its 2.9-liter V6 engine with the all-wheel-drive technology featured in the Stelvio’s All-Wheel Drive II system, a significant revision was required for this powertrain compared to its rear-wheel-drive counterpart in the Giulia Quadrifoglio. While the numbers remain unaltered, situated at a potent 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, propelled effortlessly through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The outcome is a likely spectacle in terms of athleticism and furious efficiency, making it one of the most exceptional SUVs to date.
The Lamborghini Urus dashes from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, its powerful engine propelling it forward with lightning quick acceleration. With the addition of adaptive dampers, a carbon fiber drive shaft, and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, this SUV transforms into a vehicle that handles like a high-performance sports sedan. While often repeated, the phrase “there’s no higher option” is aptly applied to describe the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s unparalleled driving dynamics and accessible nature. Despite its impressive acceleration in a straight line, the Alfa truly comes alive when navigating corners at high speed, thanks to its rapid and precise steering response. As you enter the nostrils, they guide you effortlessly along any chosen trajectory, responding smoothly to the gentle rotation of your wrist, allowing for seamless transitions between stillness and fluid movement with a remarkable balance of stability and energy. Despite its inherent top-heavy nature common to many SUVs, the Stelvio’s handling surprisingly minimizes this issue, effortlessly gliding around corners with a fluid motion reminiscent of Shakira’s signature dance moves that left us stunned.
The Alfa’s supple leather wraps burst forth with captivating charm and personality, yet also harbors subtle quirks and ergonomic idiosyncrasies. The throttle response can be surprisingly abrupt on initial acceleration, with even a gentle throttle adjustment causing the vehicle to jolt forward unsteadily. While abrupt throttle responses are often expected in high-performance sports cars, they’re not as welcome in a versatile Alfa SUV designed for both spirited driving and everyday comfort. While the Grecale Trofeo’s refinement is notable, its polish appears somewhat tarnished when compared to other offerings. While the Ferrari has spent extra time in the oven, refining its edges, the Alfa Romeo takes a more rugged approach, balancing affordability with a heavier presence due to its inherent nature. When exposed to moisture and cold temperatures, the rear brakes tend to squeal loudly. Despite these petty inconveniences, the Alfa’s exceptional powertrain remains a resounding highlight.
The Quadrifoglio’s unyielding chassis, precise steering, and reckless acceleration instantly captivate, but what truly stirs the soul is its mesmerizing exhaust note, the crowning glory of this exceptional package. What if Ferrari decided to craft a V6 engine? I’d imagine it would produce a harmonious tone akin to this. While AMG, M, and SVR focus on revving up burbles, pops, and bass-lined drumbeats, the Alfa Romeo takes a distinctively higher pitch, imbues itself with exotic flair, and bursts into an Italian opera crescendo reaching 7,400 rpm at its climax.
The accompanying soundtrack exudes refinement, eschewing the raw intensity often associated with Ferrari in favor of a more mature, sophisticated blend reminiscent of an Abarth infused with the potent Maserati V6. As you floor it, a deafening roar erupts, akin to a pyrotechnic explosion detonating within the exhaust system. Unfortunately, there is no option available to toggle the energetic exhaust system on or off. The exhaust note subtly shifts depending on the amount of throttle input, growing increasingly loud and aggressive as you accelerate further. The GTV’s engine only reaches its full potential once it has exceeded 5,000 rpm, reminiscent of the Maserati Ghibli in its smooth delivery. Beneath the surface, a complex tapestry of emotions and motivations unfold. It is recommended that you switch to Race mode for the best possible audio experience and maximum volume. One significant drawback is that the Race mode consistently deactivates all driving assistance features, including traction control, with no option to re-enable them.
We reluctantly say goodbye to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, our departure marked by a sense of wistful regret. There won’t be another Italian SUV that’s quite as captivating, expressive, and engaging as this one. With its unbridled passion, this vehicle ignites emotions effortlessly, defying conventions by being the exact opposite of a mundane SUV cliché. As it purrs along the highway, this vehicle transcends its role as mere transportation and becomes a harmonious entity, its engine a mighty stallion and its exhaust notes singing in perfect harmony. The highly touted rookie sensation from Alfa, with enormous shoes to fill.
2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Rosso GTA
$103,295
$108,145
2,818
4,702 / 1,955 / 1,685
1,978
2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6
505 hp @ 6,500 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque at 2,500-5,500 rpm
8-speed automated
Entrance engine, AWD
: 16.2
255/45R20
