For most of us, SUVs are just the smart choice for daily driving.They handle everything from school runs and commutes to weekend trips with ease.For years, though, SUVs were all about size over fun, lumbering around with little flair.
The Germans eventually made them faster and more capable, but the styling left a lot to be desired.Then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio showed up—fashionably late, but impossible to ignore.It’s quick, fun to drive, and stunning to look at, and after eight years on the market, we’re taking a closer look to see if it’s still the sporty SUV worth your money.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Alfa Romeo and other authoritative sources, including AutoTempest, CarBuzz, and J.D.Power.Pricing excludes destination charges and tax unless otherwise specified.
Related This Sports Sedan Brings the European Vibe but Costs Corolla Money If you're after curb appeal with a side of passion, this Italian stunner is calling.Posts 2 By Adam Gray Alfa Romeo’s U.S.history has been full of ups and downs The Stelvio arrived to boost sales, but reliability questions lingered Alfa Romeo has never exactly had an easy ride in the U.S.
It sold cars here from the 1950s until 1995, earning a devoted fan base, but patchy reliability and slow sales kept it from ever being a big player.When tougher safety and emissions rules came in during the mid-90s, Alfa couldn’t justify the cost to comply, so it pulled out.The brand made a comeback in 2008, but it wasn’t until 2016, with the launch of the Giulia sedan, that Alfa finally started selling higher-volume models in America.
Given the market at the time, Alfa needed an SUV to boost sales, and a year later the Stelvio arrived.Early reviews loved its looks, driving dynamics, and performance, though the interior didn’t feel as polished as a comparable BMW or Audi.That kind of critique could have been lifted straight from two decades ago, back when Alfa’s sporty sedans and hatchbacks battled the 3 Series and A4.
What buyers really wanted to know, though, was whether the Stelvio would be a maintenance headache.It took a few years for the answer to become clear, and early signs weren’t exactly encouraging.Can you count on the Stelvio? After eight years on the market, we can finally get a clearer picture of the Stelvio’s reliability.
Data from the and show it’s slightly below the German competition overall.There have been some recalls, and a few owners have reported electrical glitches and interior quality issues.Alfa Romeo—and more recently Stellantis—have worked hard to fix problems and roll out updates.
The stats back that up: newer model years generally earn higher scores and have fewer recalls.While newer cars naturally have fewer complaints just because they’ve been around less, they’re also more reliable and cheaper to maintain overall.What’s powering the Stelvio? Every Stelvio except the range-topping Quadrifoglio comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four.
It makes 280 horsepower—about 30–40 more than similarly priced rivals—giving it class-leading acceleration.All-wheel drive has been standard from the start, though rear-wheel drive joined the lineup a year into U.S.production.
An eight-speed automatic comes on all models, and even the base trims include plenty of features to keep you satisfied.Model year Notable changes 2018 US launch 2019 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto become standard.RWD option added 2020 Larger 8.8-inch touchscreen, updated interior, and more advanced ADAS 2024 LED Matrix lights, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
RWD option removed 2025 Lineup trimmed down and new Tributo Italiano edition announced Related 10 Most Reliable Luxury SUVs You Can Count On in 2025 These 10 luxury SUVs offer top-tier reliability in 2025, combining premium comfort with proven durability for a worry-free ownership experience.Posts By Tyler Dupont How much does a Stelvio go for now? Current values, resale, and what you can expect to pay German cars are usually thought to hold their value better than Italian ones, especially in established segments like compact SUVs.That’s generally true in the first few years of ownership.
But the Stelvio shows an interesting trend once the new car smell starts to fade.Its depreciation pattern isn’t quite what you’d expect from a typical Italian luxury SUV.Looking at sales from 2018–2025 models over the past year, the Stelvio has held onto more of its value than some German rivals.
The initial drop in price is still steep, but buyers quickly recognize the Stelvio’s worth as a used SUV.Alfa Romeo Stelvio average values 2018 $15,724 2019 $18,216 2020 $20,483 2021 $22,997 2022 $25,821 2023 $30,191 2024 $41,298 2025 $55,364 2018–2025 $29,825 A new 2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio starts at $48,995 before taxes.The higher-spec Stelvio Intensa rings in at $56,090 MSRP.
Add destination charges, taxes, registration, and title fees, and even the base model tops $50,000.The below average values come from actual sales on AutoTempest.com over the past year.Only four-cylinder, non-high-performance Stelvios were included.
Average values 2018–2025 BMW X3 $25,210 Mercedes-Benz GLC $25,211 Audi Q5 $23,219 Alfa Romeo Stelvio $29,825 Financially, buying a brand-new Stelvio—or even a nearly new one—usually doesn’t make sense.Going for the cheapest or earliest model isn’t ideal either, since higher maintenance costs can wipe out any savings.Newsletter: Essential Stelvio buying and value insights Subscribe to our newsletter to get focused Stelvio coverage: clear, data-driven reliability scores, resale and depreciation trends, trim and feature comparisons, model-year buying guidance, plus coverage of other notable SUVs.
Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can unsubscribe anytime.That’s why 2020–2023 models are the sweet spot.
They’ve benefited from updates and improvements over the years and have already taken the biggest hit in depreciation.For example, a 2022 Stelvio averages around $25,000 over the past year, giving you a lot of SUV for the money.After that steep early drop, the Stelvio actually holds onto more of its value than many German rivals.
Where research meets the right deal Browse This Model Where does the Stelvio go from here? Looking ahead at updates, performance, and the SUV’s staying power Thanks to shifting regulations, the Stelvio isn’t going anywhere just yet—the current model is set to stay in production until 2027.Its replacement has been pushed back while Alfa Romeo develops hybrid and electric versions, and though no official launch date is set, we expect them sometime in 2027.Until then, the Stelvio continues to deliver a great mix of style, speed, and practicality that makes daily driving feel a little more special.
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