The Italian automaker Alfa Romeo entered the SUV segment with the launch of its first SUV dubbed as the 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. It was unveiled last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show and later made its debut in the Middle East.
We got a chance to test drive the 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition and were really impressed with its performance and driving capabilities. Below are our findings.
2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Review
Walk Around
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio boasts a highly attractive and bold exterior, which is sure to turn heads on the roads. Up front, it features a large triangular grille with the company logo fitted in the middle. The sleek bumper also incorporates black colored grille inserts, while the stylish bi-xenon headlights add an overall sporty look to the SUV besides offering amazing visibility during night. The wheels are 20-inch alloys that provide an excellent road grip and improved handling.
Cockpit Impression
Let’s take a look at the trunk before getting inside the Stelvio. The boot space measures 525 liters, which is quite spacious compared to Porsche Macan. As you peek inside, you find the rear seats quite comfortable with an overall spacious cabin. The rear air conditioning vents are ideal to keep the whole cabin cool during the hot summer weather of UAE.
The front dash features a large infotainment touch display with an audio and navigation system. The cockpit boasts a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, which displays all the vital informational related to the SUV. Exclusive on the 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition model are the full-aluminum shift paddles for an exhilarating driving experience.
The seats are made from the highest quality Pieno Fiore black leather offering maximum comfort on long drives.
Engine Specs
The 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition is equipped with an exclusive 2.0L turbo petrol engine developing 280 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission system and the power is distributed to all four wheels thanks to the Q4 all-wheel drive system.
Driving Dynamics
The 2017 Alfa Rmeo Stelvio First Edition offers a spectacular performance while maintaining good fuel efficiency. Despite being a heavy SUV, it is aerodynamically efficient, which ensures a smooth drive on highways. Additionally, the Q4 all-wheel drive system is excellent for taking a stroll on rough landscapes, even on desert.
The stiff suspension system renders a smooth drive and ensures phenomenal handling whether you are driving on motorways or taking a sharp turn. We were able to hit the 100 km/h mark in just 5.7 seconds. The automaker says you can take it all the way to 230 km/h.
It consumed around 6.7 liters of fuel to cover a distance of 100 kilometers, which is not bad at all for an SUV.
Technological Features
The 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is equipped with a range of new and advanced technological features including an 8.8-inch touch display with 3D navigation system, heated front seats with memory function, heated steering wheel, power tailgate, digital radio dab (DAB), drive mode selector, automatic high beam system and more.
Safety Features
It also has high-end safety features to ensure the safety of occupants as well as the SUV. The standard safety facilities include integrated braking system, forward collision warning, lane departure alert, autonomous emergency braking system, rear camera with dynamic guidelines and front and rear parking sensors.
2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Price and Verdict
The 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is an ideal choice for SUV lovers, as it is not only technologically advanced, but also has a powerful engine. It competes with the likes of Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Jaguar F-Pace. The pricing details for the UAE have not been revealed by the automaker yet, but it will be an expensive SUV nonetheless.