2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema | MotorWeek Road Test

Alfa Romeo originally returned to the American market in 2008, but it was 2016’s Giulia sport sedan that marked the point in which they really got serious about selling cars in the US. And it was quickly followed up by the Stelvio SUV which has naturally become their best-selling model. So, what’s next? Well, it looks like Alfa is going to extreme measures to take the Stelvio to the next level.
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[@DDd-hr6mz]

Most underrated car in its segment.

[@brianreardon7700]

It’s one good looking suv I’ll tell ya that

[@emiliospowerballer1441]

Pethaps the best car in its segment

[@90boiler]

The car that out handle many pseudo sports sedans, the setup is amazing and only Porsche can stand next to it. Quadrifoglio is mental, sound is intoxicating and design ages well.

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

I own a 991.2 911 GTS and am part of a car group consisting of folks with some very nice rides. 6-700hp. I also have an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. We went driving in the mountains yesterday through some very twisty canyons and I took my Alfa since the 911 is at the dealer for maintenance. My friends could not believe how well my Quad kept up with their supercars. They couldn't lose me. I was right on their ass or side by side the whole time. My Stelvio is as much fun as my Porsche!

[@90boiler]

Cheers man, great access to great cars you have! Let me ask one thing, as much as i love Porsches but i find newest ones slightly muted in sound. Might it be the true that your Stelvio even sounded more aggressive in Canyon than others ir at least more aggressive and louder than your Porsche? That loud bang after shift is mega. Great that someone who has ability to hand around fast and expensive cars like you also truly appretiates a SUV that CAN corner

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

@90boiler Thanks man! I have a 2019 911 GTS, not the newer body style. I agree that the new ones need an aftermarket exhaust badly. It's actually a factor in why I haven't sold mine. That, and I think the 991.2 looks amazing. The Stelvio really does sound amazing right from the factory! Loved hearing the exhaust echo off the canyon walls. Cheers!

[@trevorsutherland5263]

Wow. I didn't know the "Estrema" trim came with the suspension setup from the Quad; I thought it was just a cosmetic trim only. My '17 Giulia is at 60K miles but I see no need to trade it out as its running like butter (and I don't want the crazy $80K Quad). May have to look again at the Giulia Estrema.

[@Drew_Koch]

Yeah the adaptive suspension is the same shocks as the Quadrifoglio. My Giulia TI with the performance package has it as well.

[@jeffrey-f]

hey the Quadrifoglio is very fun though;)

[@miks564]

Having adaptive suspension, which I have on my Stelvio, doesn't mean it's the same system as the Quadrifoglio. I say this because a friend of mine has a Giulia Quadrifoglio and in the normal setting, its as stiff or more than my Stelvio non Quadrifoglio in Dynamic without softning the dampers.

[@Drew_Koch]

@@miks564 Well I'm talking more from Giulia side, but Stelvio should be similar. Same part number for the shock, but Quadrifoglio has different springs and suspension computer which accounts for differences. I have installed the Quadrifoglio computer and it stiffened up a bit and I get the 3rd stiffness in race mode.

[@23294virgo]

40 Years of the same track tests, format and John.. Now improved with 4k and Drone Views. Win/Win.

[@Jonspencerwalker5160]

Did it get slower for 2023? Our 2018 Stelvio does 0-60 in 5 seconds

[@copeautomotive]

I don't think they properly brake boost launched it. Either that or it was on winter tires. AWD should be around 5.4.

[@bruschmidt9943]

So times have changed, take it from Motorweek™. 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds was considered muscle car quick when they tested the 1989 Mustang GT. Today, that's "moderate acceleration" at best?

[@90boiler]

I mean, most fwd hot hatches get same numbers with same power but are considered fast, while 5 seats proper SUV is just “moderate”?

[@-Barracuda-426]

@@90boiler cause he can't afford

[@MartinGalway]

b-but wait... the "Estrema" has some of the Quadrofoglio's go-fast goodies!!! Surely that means you don't feel gimped every time you see America's most popular premium SUV pass you by (the Tesla Model Y which Motorweek will never mention) 🤣🤣

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

These guys can't drive. This car should do 0 to 60 in about 5.3 or 5.4 stock. I've had one. No problem all day long. I had a TI and upgraded to a Quadrifoglio.

[@andrewrae50]

@@thomasferrarojr.9772 i have a 2020 Stelvio Ti Sport / the new Estrema is slower and you can feel the weight with larger wheels. In addition the adjustable suspension weight. As for these guys can’t drive. it’s an automatic - and yes they can drive. 1ft roll out isn’t used - Typically, previous specs are 5.4 5.8 with 1 ft roll out

[@KenanTurkiye]

Alfa Romeo is a lucky car brand, they have had one of the best grill designs to design their cars around ever since, hence why nearly all Alfa's are handsome. All they have to do is engineer & manufacture their cars to the level their design quality deserves and so will come brand value with it. Come on Alfa!

[@jaguarundi98]

You felt ABS pedal pulsing??? :D It has the electronic brake by wire system so the pedal does not even pulsate, you can only know if ABS intervened on the dash.

[@lotsofcurveslover]

Barely used ones are half price, a good deal.

[@rlsedition]

That's not true. Check TrueCar prices, which have held up quite well.

[@miks564]

The Extrema is a name for what was previously known as "Veloce TI" in Europe or "TI Sport" in the US with the 'Nero Edizioni' finish. The Adaptive dampers, Slip diff, etc. were already available on some trims or as an option.

[@paulgregory777]

The Estrema in Europe is not the same as the Veloce. The Estrema is the same trim as the Quadrifoglio... but with the standard 280bhp engine.

[@miks564]

@@paulgregory777 beyond the base trim in Europe, we had 3 variants: the “TI”, the “Veloce”, and the “Veloce TI”. At least, we had them in 2021. The “Veloce TI” had already the same carbon fiber finishes as the Quadrifoglio. When I made my Veloce configuration I’ve checked the “Veloce Ti” variant and I did preferred the carbon fiber finish instead of the aluminum, but decided to stay with my Veloce config because of the seats and the wheels. I suspect the Estrema only brought the rear difuser as novelty over what was previously known as ‘Veloce TI’

[@paulgregory777]

@@miks564 As the Estrema is a European model, that's 4 models above base trim. Estrema had the same internal trim as the Quadrafoglio... including Alcantara suede seats. Pre-2020 Europe Alfa had the Milano model, which the Veloce replaced. Other models in the UK include Super, Sprint Speciale. The Veloce is a higher spec than the TI.

[@miks564]

@@paulgregory777 Exactly, Alcantara seats just like the 2021 “Veloce TI”. As previously stated, that was one of the reasons I’ve skip the ‘Veloce TI’. I rather preferred the full leather (brown) bucket seats of the Veloce.

[@paulgregory777]

@@miks564 Glad to hear that! I bought a Veloce in Alfa Rossa with brown leather seats 4 weeks ago. I love the interior. Even better than red leather! 👍 😊

[@19mati67]

6.3 sec to 60. It suppose to be 5.4.

[@MartinGalway]

Tesla Model Y base model 0-60 is 4.8sec. You can upgrade it with a $2,000 credit card purchase to bring that down to 4.2sec. Performance model is 3.5sec. This Alfa is horrendously slow... it's a joke.

[@19mati67]

@@MartinGalway I wouldn't get one even for free. It looks like a duck. Because I don't like the car, I wouldn't be interested even, if it is 1 sec to 60.

[@MartinGalway]

@@19mati67 which, the Tesla or the Alfa?

[@19mati67]

@@MartinGalway Tesla. The only one I like is the S.

[@jake2772]

@@MartinGalway lol 🤡

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

Extreme Measures

[@loopba]

So the Quadrofolio engine is $27k option essentially as no other differences. Quite ridiculous

[@vlajster]

Alfa Romeo is special

[@pokerfred68]

Needs refresh. Exterior is great but interior needs to be updated. Needs a bit more power for this spec…maybe boost to 325hp.

[@CarsandChris]

Interior was updated. It says so in the video.

[@pokerfred68]

@@CarsandChris not enough. Minor tweaks. Newer Alfa models have better interior aesthetics. Infotainment is old.

[@miks564]

The Maserati Grecale has a 300 and a 325hp version with this base engine, but I suspect the 325hp has electric assistance. Besides the infotainment and the reverse camera joke, the interior on the Stelvio has became great since the 2019 revision. Now with the new 2023 versions, they've also changed the dashboard to full digital ...and front headlights were also changed to full LED - looks great reminding some Alfa's of the past, but I'm not sure if I prefer the new look. The older still seems more aggressive to me.

[@MVF2024]

My 2018 can do a 5.3 0-60 all day long according to my Dragy

[@rosariocaliffe4006]

Bellissima!!! Ordinata il 20 luglio 2022!!!! Peccato che il 2 febbraio 2023 mi hanno mandato una mail dove mi comunicano la CANCELLAZIONE DELL’ORDINE!!!!!

[@annagattellari85]

Alfa Romeois Special ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@petrhavlicek393]

Alfa Romeo Stelvio is great car!!!

[@kclark8080]

So track specs are almost the same as the E-Tron? Assuming better range, I can't say is choose this over that.

[@trvr]

E-Tron is an electric vehicle (that means "heavy") - which means it has nowhere close to the driving dynamics of a Stelvio.

[@kclark8080]

@@trvr Well thank you Captain Obvious! Your statement does not negate mine. Thanks though.

[@MartinGalway]

@@trvr Evidently you didn't research curb weights... the Stelvio Estrema is 5,247lbs, and the Tesla Model Y with its heavy battery and faster acceleration is... 4,398lbs.

[@trvr]

@@MartinGalway You might want to check that again - you're comparing gross weight and curb weight - the Tesla Model Y is heavier.

[@thomasloper1205]

Hey MotorWeek, put the car in Dynamic mode before you do a 0-60 run. You're not going to get good acceleration in eco mode.

[@techunboxing8933]

Why does this video look like it in the 2010

[@deccasupergold]

Is this narration for real?

[@philsmgb4393]

I'm glad they got serious about selling cars here. I saw two of them once.

[@elnyoutube123]

Only 2 😭 in New York these things are as common as Toyotas

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

Motor Week forgot to mention, that the drive-by-wire throttle and brake feels awful!

[@MartinGalway]

Motorweek forgets to mention everything it is paid to forget about. Examples: "24mpg in 2022... and the pollution that comes with it... is dreadful. This vehicle is not competitive and will sell very few copies. America votes with its wallet and buys the Tesla Model Y the most." Motorweek forgets all this 🤣🤣

[@rlsedition]

@@MartinGalway You can take your Model Y and stick it! Ugly and way overweight it is.

[@MartinGalway]

@@rlsedition if it's overweight, how does it do 0-60 in 3.5sec?

[@rlsedition]

@@MartinGalway Apply over 1000 lbs of batteries and AWD to a vehicle and it'll have good 0-60 times, but drivers aren't drag racing on their daily drive. Who cares how fast an SUV is in a straight line? Not many (if any). Weight is the enemy when vehicle dynamics are concerned.

[@regal842]

They feel totally fine to me. I’ve driven pretty much every car in this segment and this is one of the smoothest drive trains to modulate.

[@TGoff-fz7yh]

Sounds like a review from the 80's. Next.

[@jeffreycope7981]

Old exterior already. How about an update?

[@this_dude5307]

For 2024 there is a refresh, albeit mostly minor changes. Honestly, it’s hard trying to change an exterior like this since it already looks good.

[@miks564]

The most popular SUVs in this segment are the boxy looking X3 and Q5s. How can this one looks old? For me, it's kind of the other way around

[@barsaf9989]

This car would be cool if it didn't have the engine from a Jeep Wrangler. Boring.... Put an Italian high performance v6 in it. That would be sick.

[@dogdoc1]

That's the QV (Quadrifoglio) model.

[@barsaf9989]

@@dogdoc1 I would like a NA v6 in the base model. Like 300hp. Something that at least sounds good and not American.

[@dogdoc1]

@@barsaf9989 With that I would agree 👍

[@rlsedition]

@@dogdoc1 After owning a Ti Sport for over a year, the base engine may not be as exciting as the Quad, but it's all you need on the street, gets much better fuel economy and requires less maintenance.

[@dogdoc1]

@@rlsedition I too have a Ti Sport (2018). 😎👍

[@planetfabulous5833]

Wow - almost a second slower to 60 than a 2018 Stelvio. C&D tested one then and got 5.4 seconds to 60. Why so much slower now? Very disappointing.

[@civlyzed]

Relax and slow down, you'll live longer :D JK

[@planetfabulous5833]

@@civlyzed I want to go faster - I can't slow down - life is too short! :)

[@upeedinalamb5297]

This lamb thinks Higher elevation?

[@MartinGalway]

Motorweek = not known for getting fast acceleration times

[@Aikynbreusov]

All Romeo goes to die no matter whether it's in movie or in book.....

[@islandknight6105]

For about the same money, it’s hard to imagine bypassing the BMW X3 for this

[@windwalker121]

I remember a MotorTrend article from a few years ago, reviewing some performance model Giulia. They celebrated if they managed to take it on a road trip without it breaking down.

[@90boiler]

BS, look at what happens with BMW engine vhains, DSGs., Porsche electronics. Alfa is absolutely fine in terms in mechanical reliability, the only problem moght be electronics due to sensitivity to battery voltage. 5 years from release proved that it is on par with competition or better. No, not a Toyota, but no worse than Germans. And speaking of Germans, read GLC forums, where topics start from falling pieces of trim, door handles and more issues so dare you sau about mythical reliability of German cars

[@miks564]

Always the reliability bs. It’s not true, but basically that’s what everybody believes. All but the owners. The German car industry is very happy this myth goes on forever.

[@rss8400]

First viewer!

[@globalwillh]

Extre-Meh performance, reliability, price and dated styling.

[@miks564]

Performance is great. Clearly above average for 2.0 4 cylinders - which is what you get from most manufacturers at this price range with these options. Reliability is great. Styling is much better than the usual boxy looking SUVs out there.

[@magneto8002]

Needs an all digital dash.

[@rlsedition]

Agree, and for 2024 model year it gets one.

[@Lrules364]

You people are dumb. A digital dash kills cars. Don't believe me? Check the cars 10 years earlier that now need screens, and you can't get them anywhere.

[@miks564]

@@rlsedition 2023

[@rlsedition]

@@miks564 Not in the US we don't; 2024 moidel year.

[@miks564]

@@rlsedition Well, that's odd. Because it's expected this first quarter 2023 all around Europe. Considering the expected low demand figures, I suspect it might reach the US sooner as well. Let's see...

[@karatejoe5049]

I think carbon fiber on dashboards is going to age like mid 70's Pontiac prism paper.

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

Umm. Yeah. No.

[@elnyoutube123]

@@thomasferrarojr.9772 Um yeah yeah

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

@@elnyoutube123 Whatever. Wrong. Bye. 👋

[@elnyoutube123]

@@thomasferrarojr.9772 not wrong. It looks cheap and tacky

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

@@elnyoutube123 Nope. It's only you. You're all alone.

[@SirCentex]

This design aged pretty quickly haha but think they can get away with some refreshed head/tail lights and rims for the time being

[@rlsedition]

Disagree. Both Giulia and Stelvio still look good and were done right in the first place, not needing updates for improvement.

[@miks564]

The Stelvio still stands out easily from the usual boxy designs from all competitors. ...and some know it well enough to have more sporty versions of their own SUV models - like the GLC Coupe variant, and the Q5 Sportback to name two examples.

[@jamesm654]

I don't get carbon fiber or why it's even a thing. lol It just simply looks like plastic. Why not just use plastic?

[@miks564]

Carbon fiber is strong, light and durable. Plastic is light and will probably become a source of noise in time. The alternative to carbon fiber is Aluminum (which is what we get in the other trims) ...and in the past, they had two wood options as well in a luxury trim.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Maybe this car handles well but being an Alfa it needs to have more character...it looks too much like pretty much any other SUV on the market, especially with its drab grey interior. The pre-2019 Fiat 500 was made by the same company as this Alfa yet had oodles of character with its interesting exterior colors and multitude of interior color options...and cost 1/4 of what this rig costs...

[@90boiler]

I mean, look at beaver face BMW or faceless audi that looks from 2005 and tell me Alfa lacks in design

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

@@90boiler They just don't know what they're talking about. You see this vehicle in person, and it's stunning.

[@regal842]

The colours on the car are pretty awesome in person, including the Misano blue in the video, especially compared to the 18 shades of grey BMW and Mercedes. While it does have a lot of similar elements to the rest of the segment, I still think the overall package looks better than any others. Alfa did a good job with keeping it simple while making great body lines. A lot of vehicles made to “stand out” these days are just a mishmash of materials and colours and look awful imo. The interior is a little boring, but it’s simple with good ergonomics. They could just use a mild tech upgrade

[@windwalker121]

For a $60K starting price, it's an effing dog.

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

How's it a dog? These guys can't drive. This car should do 0 to 60 in about 5.3 or 5.4 stock. Quickest in their class.

[@defaultdaniel]

2023 and still using standard analog gauges, yep, that's how you know it's a Chrysler product

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

What's wrong with that? Go buy a Buick, this isn't the car for you. Seriously haha

[@elnyoutube123]

They're literally not even Chrysler gauges and analog is just better

[@aidaaliten8817]

Just a generic crossover with a Alfa face glued on

[@ThePussukka]

Atleast it's RWD based and seems to be a good handler.

[@90boiler]

Nothing is generic about it, audi or vw product is synonym to generic. Faceless and souless box on wheels that neither handles, nor is fast

[@candlercando]

@@90boiler VW is the Pontiac of Germany. But has many fans outside of Germany to cheer them on.

[@trvr]

That's a generic comment. Are you aware that Alfa invested $1Billion on the platform and that chassis was designed by the same guy who did the Ferrari 458? Hardly average crossover.

[@miks564]

Just a generic crossover but... Fit with one the most powerful 2.0 block available in this category. Built over the Giorgio platform developed by a team of ex-Ferrari engineers designed for 50/50 weight distribution and RWD bias with the front engine mounted behind the front axle which this Stelvio has. Designed to be lighter than the competitors which the Stelvio is, with most of the body made of aluminum, engine and suspension also full aluminum ...even the drive shaft is made of carbon fiber. Designed with a very direct (high ratio) and ackerman geometry steering for better grip and more precise cornering which this Stelvio has. It's far from perfect, but it's miles better than a Macan built over a VW MLB generic platform with an Audi TFSI engine and a Porsche face glued on it. 😉

[@NPC-kv7tn]

it looks like a 2015 car.

[@this_dude5307]

To be fair, this SUV did come out in 2017, but at least it still looks fresh (and good) too. The Volvo XC90 is also a good example too, it still looks good and modern despite being launched 8 years ago. Cars with these type of designs will age better and not look dated really fast.

[@trvr]

By that logic does a Porsche 911 looks like a 1960's car? What would make any car look like a 2023 car?

[@glovedcop69]

😂😂

[@josephandreuccetti7270]

No it doesn’t

[@Dimi3ZMV]

2023's stelvio and giulia will have facelift...why they in this video type 2023 I do not now. For me car in this video is Stelvio 2020's model, in that year was firsr facelift.

[@citationbob]

Had a rental one of these in Naples Italy. What a pile of crap!!!!!!

[@saintsubie6661]

@@millerliteguru @citationbob How so?

[@miks564]

You clearly didn’t!

[@Tully3674]

Profile looks like a Mazda. No thank you.

[@joejuan5022]

Fix It Again Tony

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

Derrrrr.....

[@aaronc1500]

I was in love with my Giulia and Alfa Romeo as a brand, however, I will never again buy/recommend another Alfa Romeo in my life. I had the brake by wire system fail on me and it caused me to crash and total the car. They sent someone from Bosch to diagnose the vehicle and in the charts it clearly showed that something malfunctioned (brakes were slammed more than 2 seconds before the impact at 40 MPH and it took more than 1.5 seconds for the speed to start going down.) Stellantis told me that they were not going to take responsibility for it and that I needed to have my insurance pay for the vehicle. Absolute garbage. I will never recommend this car brand to anyone again! Buy an AUDI, BMW or Mercedes instead.!!

[@miks564]

I'm seeing this post for the past two or three years in almost every Alfa Romeo video on KZbin. There's only reason for you to keep going this far. How much are you getting from whom? 😁

[@loopba]

@@miks564 its a fake troll account

[@miks564]

@@loopba Yes, I believe you're right, but this dedication over the last years for Copy / Paste / post must be support it by someone and it would be interesting to find who.

[@Lrules364]

So $60k gets you a bloated, ugly, slow, 4 cylinder, unreliable Alfa Romeo that gets worse gas mileage than a sedan. What a waste of time and space this thing is. Just another boring crossover in a sea of boring crossovers. The only difference is, you're paying for the name.

[@miks564]

Not ugly, on the contrary - but aesthetics are up to personal taste. I guess you prefer the usual German boxes. And It’s not slow at all, in fact it is one of the fastest 2l amongst its competitors.

[@miks564]

...and reliable.

[@rafaellastracom6411]

The Stelvio´s styling was dated when it first came out, today it looks even more so.

[@90boiler]

Are you drunk? Looks better than any beaver face BMW or boring Audi

[@Al-ie9ob]

@@90boiler agree

[@stevenhill3136]

Not electric no thanks

[@jonathansmith1590]

Good for me then 😜. I've never been a fan of BEV'S anyway 🤷

[@MartinGalway]

Agreed... this gas-guzzling polluter will be a sales flop. Stellantis has said it's too expensive to develop BEVs so I guess we wont be hearing too much from Alfa and Stellantis in the future 🤣

[@rlsedition]

Electrics have no powertrain sounds and are way overweight, no thanks.

[@stevenhill3136]

@@rlsedition How about $6 for 300 miles and instant 100% torque/throttle response at any rpm

[@rlsedition]

@@stevenhill3136 The instant torque, batteries mounted low and ease of adding AWD are EV benefits, while the excessive battery weight, lack of charging infrastructure and powertrain sounds are disadvantages. Have you noticed how excited car enthusiasts are about the sound of the new Corvette C8 ZO6? Lack of sounds is a big deal if you like cars. OBTW, once there are more EVs the costs to operate will increase, like making sure they pay their fair share for roads maintenance.