All cars come with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s a good combination with the 2.0-litre engine and delivers quick and sharp gear changes. The aluminium paddles on the steering column add a level of tactility that’s lacking in some of the Stelvio’s rivals – those cars tend to use flimsier plastic paddles. If you’re a keen driver who likes to take control, you’ll appreciate this touch.
Town driving, visibility and parking
The fundamental benefits of an SUV are clear in the Stelvio, as even with a high dash and thin glass, there’s still a good view out from the front and reasonable visibility out back. The fast steering rack that helps define the car’s high-speed manners are also an advantage at low speeds, helping all variants feel agile in city traffic.
However the Stelvio’s aging powertrain holds it back thanks to a gearbox that can occasionally be a little sluggish. Compared to more modern rivals that have clever mild-hybrid systems, the engine can feel laggy at low speeds as the turbo needs time to start spinning, and the low-speed engine and gearbox noise is hardly pleasant – these engines weren’t exactly cutting-edge when the car was new, and they feel positively ancient now.
All versions come with front and rear parking sensors plus a reversing camera to spot obstacles when parking.
Country road driving and handling
This might be a jacked-up SUV, but the first thing that’ll strike you out on the road is the speed and response of the car’s steering. It’s becoming an Alfa trademark, and despite the Stelvio’s size, you become accustomed to how fast it turns in. The steering is quick, and there’s enough grip for the chassis to cope, but until you get used to it, it can feel a little nervous and less relaxed.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
At a cruise, the Stelvio isn’t quite the top-level cruiser you might hope. Here the powertrain again reveals its limits, as the engine needs revs to feel good for its 276bhp figure. The gearbox has a propensity to shift up as quickly as possible for the sake of fuel economy, but it means the kickdown can be a little slow and jerky.
