#X A V I ♕ Posted October 28, 2018 Posted October 28, 2018 he punchy petrol engine suits the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s sporty character, but the SUV is let down by interior quality and space Verdict 3.5 There are more frugal and more comfortable rivals available, but if you want the best-handling SUV this side of a Porsche Macan, the Stelvio nails its brief. When the car’s biggest USP is driving fun, the 276bhp petrol engine is the pick of the range, too. It’s just a shame that the Stelvio suffers all the usual Alfa drawbacks, including interior quality and space. This is the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio 280. Aside from the flagship Quadrifoglio, it’s the fastest version of the brand’s BMW X3 rival. But if the QF is a stretch too far, does this 280 make more sense than the diesel versions? Let’s start with the money. The Stelvio 280 is £1,400 pricier than the 207bhp diesel in the same Milano Edizione trim. On a four-year PCP with the same deposit, the petrol costs almost £20 more per month. The diesel is cheaper to run, too, returning 49.6mpg to the petrol’s 35.8mpg. • Best 4x4s and SUVs on sale While the diesel is certainly easier on the wallet, the petrol is more fun to drive. In a car where driving enjoyment is placed as such a high priority, the faster, more exciting petrol is simply a better match to the Stelvio’s character. The 276bhp/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo unit is revvy, enthusiastic and, matched to a slick eight-speed auto, offers smooth power delivery.
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