Italian brand’s red-hot SUV freshens up one final time with new tech and mechanical hardware aimed at improving agility
- How much does the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio cost?
- What equipment comes with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
- How safe is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
- What technology does the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio feature?
- What powers the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
- What is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio like to drive?
- What is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q like inside?
- Should I buy an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
Seven years on and in the very twilight of its life the red-hot 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio still has huge appeal, even in the age of electrification – at least that’s what Alfa Romeo hopes. With two more years to run before its all-new replacement rocks up, the Italian car-maker hopes you’ll buy the luxury/performance SUV because it isn’t a hybrid or an EV. Despite going all-electric itself by 2027, Alfa expects that as other car-makers move to small-capacity plug-in hybrid power, real enthusiasts will love the Stelvio Q’s Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 and old-school look and feel. For the MY2023 update, the Stelvio gets a mild refresh including brighter matrix LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, fresh trim, new limited-slip rear differential and full chassis retune, but is that enough to keep the Stelvio appealing?
How much does the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio cost?
The updated 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not been priced yet for the Australian market, with full costs and detailed specification to be released closer to its local launch in the fourth quarter of this year.
It’s worth pointing out that the previous MY22 Stelvio Quadrifoglio was priced from $160,700 (before on-roads), and we expect a price bump for the new version on account of the extra kit.
At that money, the Stelvio Q competes directly against other mid-size performance/luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 M Competition ($178,000 plus ORCs) and the soon-to-be-replaced Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S ($191,800 plus ORCs).
Perhaps its biggest opposition, considering Alfa’s aim of offering a class-leading driving experience, is the Porsche Macan GTS which is priced from just $143,200 before options, dealer delivery fees, stamp duty and other government charges have been accounted for.
We could also be cheeky here and mention the new breed of all-electric performance SUVs, like the Kia EV6 GT that costs just $99,590, or the bigger Audi Q8 e-tron that’s expected to be priced at around $180,000 when it’s introduced in the coming months.
What equipment comes with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
Considering its flagship status, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio should remain the best-equipped member of Alfa’s mid-size SUV range.
We’ve already mentioned that as part of the MY23 update the Stelvio Q gets brighter new matrix LED headlights with the same three individual LED light graphics as the new Alfa Romeo Tonale compact SUV, along with a large 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster and fresh interior trim (see below), plus a new electronically-controlled mechanical limited-slip rear differential.
It’s also thought the updated model will come with a small power bump over the current model, but that’s yet to be confirmed for Australia.
The cars we drove at the global launch were the commemorative Stelvio Quadrifoglio 100 Anniversario special-editions – limited to 100 cars globally – and it’s thought the vehicles sold in Australia may receive some of their extra kit.
Centenary-edition extras includes door mirrors and a front grille clad in carbon-fibre, while the wheels have been upsized from 20-inch to larger 21s.
Inside the cabin, black leather and Alcantara trim rule the roost, with the enhanced Stelvio Q set to get seats and a steering wheel wrapped in leather and Alcantara with carbon-fibre inserts.
Other standard equipment worth mentioning is adaptive cruise control, fatigue detection, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, blind spot assist and rear cross-traffic detection.
Included in the price will also be a premium Harmon Kardon sound system, wireless charging pad, heated seats and steering wheel, and a hands-free tailgate.
Some of the options available but not yet priced for the 2023 Stelvio Q include carbon-fibre bucket seats, a louder new Akropovic exhaust and carbon-ceramic brakes for those tiny number of Stelvio Q owners who will track their SUV.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia. Service intervals are spaced every 12 months or 15,000km, with capped-price servicing available via the dealer network. Previously, the fastest Alfa SUV cost $6644 to maintain over five years.
How safe is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q received a five-star safety rating from ANCAP the last time it was tested, but that was back in 2017.
But the five-seat Stelvio does come with twin front airbags, front-side airbags and side curtain airbags for the front and rear occupants. There’s also adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist/lane departure warning, emergency assist, rear cross traffic assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and tyre pressure monitoring.
What technology does the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio feature?
Standard tech equipment for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q includes a new configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, plus a small 8.8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also wireless phone charging and four USB ports.
The flagship Alfa SUV features a 900W Harman Kardon sound system using a total of 14 speakers dotted around the cabin.
What powers the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio remains powered by an all-aluminium 90-degree 2891cc twin-turbo V6, but for the 2023 model year power is upped fractionally from 375kW to 382kW, although peak torque remains unchanged at a towering 600Nm, delivered from just 2500rpm.
Off the line, the rapid Alfa SUV can launch itself to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds – which is unchanged from before, although the top speed has crept up to 285km/h (up 2km/h).
As before, the punchy twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 is combined with an eight-speed automatic and Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel drive hardware, which is capable of firing up to 100 per cent of torque to the rear axle and up to 50 per cent back to the front wheels if slip is detected.
Torque vectoring and the new electro-mechanical limited-slip differential boost traction further, ensuring the Stelvio Q delivers explosive performance in all weather conditions.
How fuel-efficient is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
Alfa Romeo claims combined fuel consumption of 11.8L/100km for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, using minimum 98 RON premium unleaded fuel.
Those figures in isolation aren’t good, but the Alfa is still fractionally more efficient than the soon-to-be-replaced, V8-powered Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S (12.2L/100km).
What is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio like to drive?
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is said to directly benefit from the engineering brilliance that went into the development of the Giulia GTA sedan, which blended supercar levels of performance and handling in a mid-size four-door.
Engineers wouldn’t confirm if the mechanical LSD was the same as the one in the $300K super-sedan, but it’s likely.
While in the lighter Giulia GTA it helps bestow balletic levels in agility, in the bigger heavier Stelvio Q – which tips the scales at 1850kg – engineers aimed to introduce more cornering stability and traction, and to generally improve the feeling of connection.
The power steering was also retuned to provide a more direct feel, while the dampers were recalibrated. The Stelvio Q’s DNA (Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency) driving modes carry over, alongside an extra RACE mode for track driving, which is also aided by a sports mode for the ESP stability control software.
Flatten the throttle and it’s clear the Stelvio Q has lost none of its ability to shock off the line. The level of thrust on tap is intoxicating and it’s delivered with little fuss or slip, thanks to the perfect pairing of the quick-shifting eight-speed auto and Q4 all-wheel drive system.
What’s missing is the old car’s soundtrack, even with the new Akropovic exhaust. We’re not sure if it’s the addition of mandatory particulate petrol filters (to lower emissions) or tweaks to the twin-turbo V6 to extract extra power but the old car sounded better.
Luckily, even without a back-to-back drive, the steering felt sharper, while the new suspension settings delivered impeccable damping that manages to provide decent body control even over the bumpiest of roads without sacrificing ride comfort.
The new differential, meanwhile, doesn’t transform the Alfa SUV into an unlikely drift king. Instead, it does exactly what’s promised – boost stability in both slower and high-speed corners, allowing you to pick-up the throttle mid-bend earlier.
Wind back the speed and the Stelvio Q remains an easy performance SUV to live with. It’s a shame engineers still haven’t been able to dial-out the clunkiness of the eight-speed auto, but that doesn’t stop the Alfa being one of the most engaging SUVs behind the wheel.
What is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q like inside?
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio feels its age inside, where there’s no massive HD infotainment system and even the brand-new Tonale’s fresh digital instrument cluster somehow feels dated.
We’re also not entirely convinced by the new 3D-textured carbon-fibre trim from the Giulia GTA but, that said, the Stelvio cabin is still a decent place to spend time in and some may even prefer the lack of huge and imposing screens that can blind occupants at night.
More good news for those in need of a digital detox is the conventional climate control system and the Stelvio’s pleasing ergonomics and general ease of use. The Stelvio Q remains a car that doesn’t need frantic trips to the manual to find out how to operate it.
We still also love the statement made by the aluminium shift paddles and Ferrari-esque starter button on the sporty steering wheel.
In the back, the Stelvio suffers from a lack of legroom, but there’s plenty of shoulder room and passenger comfort is generally good. But beware of the limited rear headroom with optional panoramic roof.
Boot capacity, meanwhile, remains decent at 522 litres, and it can happily be extended to a sizeable 1600 litres if you drop the rear seat backs. And the Stelvio Q comes with a hands-free tailgate as standard.
Should I buy an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
If you’re in the market for the fastest mid-size luxury SUV money can buy, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is still well worthy of your consideration. But have the MY23 updates elevated it to the top of its class? Not quite.
Despite considerable tinkering to the suspension and the addition of a trick diff, we think the dynamic gap between it and its main rival, the Porsche Macan, remains wide – and that’s all the more galling for Alfa since the German SUV is nearing its 10th birthday and the facelifted Macan Turbo is yet to be released.
That said, in the right colours (eg: Montreal Green), the Stelvio Q remains a handsome and charismatic alternative to its default German competitors, but the Macan remains the better all-round performance SUV.
2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio at a glance:
Price: $170,000 plus on-road costs (estimated)
Available: Fourth quarter 2023
Engine: 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 382kW/600Nm (TBC)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.8L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 267g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
Keyword: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2023 Review – International