My Favorite Drive of 2020: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Connie Peters
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I get asked all the time what my favorite car is, since I test drive new cars on a regular basis.
I have always said I have a few favorites because, really, all the cars are so different. Going from a Jeep one week to a sports car the following is a tough comparison since they’re completely different machines. The same can be said for a luxury SUV versus an entry-level sedan.
But for 2020 I have a clear favorite: the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio performance SUV. And boy, is it ever a performer.
Let me count the ways, or I mean the reasons why.
Related: 9 Reasons You Should Consider the Alfa Romeo Stelvio for Your Next SUV
That front grille is super unique. Photo: Connie Peters
1. Unique Exterior Styling
This triangle grille is like no other. This is an Alfa Romeo after all: It’s Italian and unique altogether, but have you ever seen a triangle-shaped grilled on any other car? Me neither. It’s unmistakable.
The wheels are stunning and also unique with their circular shapes within. Again, I feel as though the Italian styling is so adventurous here. You could get lost in all the little details.
The badging and side view mirrors are made of something called Miron, a dark glass that gives a smoky but refined look.
The styling of the Stelvio is quite consistent with most other SUV body types, but I especially love the simplicity of both the side and rear views.
The only way to know this is the top-of-the-line performance Quadrifoglio is the 4-leaf clover badging on the front quarter panels and on the door sill. If I’m spending over a hundred grand for a performance version of the USD $41,400/CAD $49,595 base model Stelvio, I want you to know it. So, I’d like a bit more badging or styling difference to reflect that.
These Brembo Brakes are an $8000 option. Photo: Connie Peters
2. It’s a Ferrari at Heart, and Oh-So Italian
Looking for power and the thrill of the drive but need an SUV for daily living and cargo? The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio trim offers up 505 Ferrari-derived horsepower, going 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. It sounds simply amazing as well, since this twin-turbo V6 delivers a fantastic snap, crackle, and pop.
Have a listen:
@xoconniepetersFor your listening pleasure. ##alfaromeo ##quadrifoglio ##shedrivesnow ##carsoftiktok ##luxurycars♬ original sound – Connie Peters
This performance SUV is faster than a competing Porsche Cayenne Turbo or the BMW X5M.
Related: The 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: All You Love, Plus a Little More
Let’s go for a drive! Photo: Connie Peters
3. The Rosso Competizione Red Pops
The Red as shown is not just the base model Alfa Rosso (red), it’s the tri-coat Rosso Competizione, and it’s a USD $2,200/CAD $2500 option. It seriously sparkles, and I’ve fallen in love with red cars this year because of this particular paint color.
I love the red accents so much. Photo: Connie Peters
4. The Red Contrast Interior Is so Fire
Red leather—not on the seats but on the dash and on the doors—carbon fiber finishing, and Alcantara seat inserts are what made me feel luxe in the Quadrifoglio.
Have a look at the way the designers integrated the red within this interior. The way the dash is so contrasted between red, black, and carbon fiber is genius. The red contrast stitching throughout the leather and Alcantara on both the seats and steering wheel is also reminiscent of a designer handbag you know you need in your life.
Related: Looking for a Wild Ride? Netflix’s 6 Underground Has It, and the Alfa Romeos Will Take Your Breath Away
That classic performance rear end with big tires and big exhaust. Photo: Connie Peters
How much will the Quadrifoglio set me back?
Starting at CAD $96,200 and USD $82,345, as tested and shown this Quadrifoglio tops out at a whopping CAD $112,045 or USD $94,245.
The Brembo high-performance brakes are a USD $8,000 CAD $8,250 option but painted red, blue, or yellow brake calipers are not extra. I’m not sure if I would spend the extra money on Brembo brakes, but they sure do perform and look great doing it.
Options on the test model as shown include a CAD $600 performance carbon fiber steering wheel, (which I also fell in love with), second-row heated seats (CAD$500), the Nero Edizione which is the Miron accents like the badging for CAD$850 and the safety and convenience package with rear cargo options for CAD $450. (As well as the paint and brake options previously mentioned).
Oddly, our test model did not come equipped with the Active Driver Assist package for USD $2,200 CAD $2,345, which includes:
- Blind-spot assistance
- Adaptive cruise control with automatic stop
- Automatic high-beam headlamps
- Alerts when drivers aren’t paying attention
- Highway assistance
- Infrared windshield
- Lane keep assist
- Traffic jam assist
- Traffic sign recognition
Note that these are 2020 prices. I see from the Alfa Romeo websites (both US and Canada), the pricing for both the base model and Quadrifoglio trims has gone up for the 2021 models.
Who’s this Stelvio for?
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV buyer is someone who wants a performance motor, amazing sound ready to pop off the line in a hurry, and a car with killer looks.
In all seriousness, a luxury price point means it will be a performance-conscious buyer that wants the spaciousness and ride height of an all-wheel-drive SUV.
*The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio was provided for a week from FCA Canada to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.