Name: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (2018 – present) | Expert Rating
Item: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Rating: 51.0

Summary

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the high-performance version of the Stelvio SUV, launched in 2018 with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine producing over 500hp. It was developed to deliver sports car levels of performance in a practical family SUV body.

UK media reviews have consistently praised the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio for its sharp steering, strong grip and impressive engine response. Even several years after launch, it remains one of the more engaging performance SUVs to drive. Ride comfort is generally well judged for such a powerful model, and everyday practicality has not been sacrificed.

However, interior quality and infotainment technology lag behind newer premium rivals, even after updates in 2020. Running costs are very high, particularly for fuel and insurance, and CO₂ emissions are substantial. The model’s original five-star Euro NCAP safety rating has now expired due to age.

As of February 2026, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio holds a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 51%. While media review scores remain strong, high running costs, high emissions, average reliability data, average warranty cover and an expired safety rating significantly reduce its overall ownership score.

Stelvio Quadrifoglio highlights

Exceptional performance for an SUV
Engaging handling and sharp steering
Powerful and characterful V6 engine
Comfortable, supportive seats
Practical cabin for a high-performance model

Stelvio Quadrifoglio lowlights

Very high running costs
High CO₂ emissions
Interior quality below key premium rivals
Touchscreen and media system now feel dated
Euro NCAP safety rating expired

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £95,890 on-road

Launched: Spring 2018
Last updated: Summer 2023
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“You don’t take long to realise the engine is the star of the show in the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It sounds fantastic, and its power is delivered in spectacular fashion via a quick-witted gearbox and confidence-inspiring yet playful four-wheel drive system – which sends most of its power to the rear. There are genuinely sporty levels of body control, feedback and chassis balance that make the Quadrifoglio one of the very best fast SUVs for those who love driving.”

Model reviewed: 2023 facelift range

Score: 9 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Alastair Crooks, Max Adams

“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio isn’t just fun to drive for an SUV, it’s ludicrous fun full stop – but its interior is a bit dull.”

Model reviewed: 2023 facelift range

Score: 9 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Darren Cassey

More reviews

The Car Expert

“If you’re after a performance SUV then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is easily one of the most dynamic performance SUVs on sale today.”
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Not much has changed with the latest Stelvio Quadrifoglio, but it didn’t really need to. Alfa Romeo has addressed criticisms of interior quality and in-car tech to varying degrees of success, but what is clear is that the Stelvio remains one of the most exciting performance SUVs on sale.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Score: 8 / 10
“The bold and distinctive Stelvio has always impressed with its combination of spirited driving dynamics and practicality. With this updated version and refreshed model line-up Alfa Romeo hopes complaints about interior quality and outdated technology will also have been answered.”
Read review

Car

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is great fun, but with more driven wheels and a stack more kerbweight it’s not as much fun as a Giulia Quadrifoglio.”
Read review

Car Keys

Score: 10 / 10
“The performance and driving dominate the experience, and if you want a performance SUV with true agility and the ability to bring a smile to your face, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is pretty much in a class all to itself.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2019
Score: 10 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is undoubtedly one of the best SUVs on sale today from a driver’s point of view – offering a level of enjoyment and thrills usually just reserved for more conventional sports cars.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a true performance SUV, with a fantastic engine that’s great fun to drive”
Author: Richard Ingram, Tom Dumbrell
Read review

Daily Mail

“By turning the Stelvio into a sports-car hunting powerhouse, Alfa Romeo has managed to strip away some of the most important characteristics you’d want from an SUV.”
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Evo

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is fun and capable, like no SUV should be”
Read review

Honest John

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio manages to capture Italian charisma and enjoyable handling in a practical, family-friendly package.”
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The Sunday Times

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – an SUV poster boy at last.”
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The Telegraph

“The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio represents not just the very best of the super SUVs, but probably best bad car decision in general. It’s clearly not the best SUV, nor the best performance car – yet I’m pretty sure it’s the most impressive compromise between the two.”
Read review

Top Gear

“For sheer fizzing, soulful, addictive vigour, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has mega star quality.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 60%

Notes on safety rating

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Stelvio Quadrifoglio to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2026, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

If the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here. However, don’t be expecting an outstanding set of results from a 500hp petrol V6-powered sports SUV…

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	24 mpg	E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	267 g/km	E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	47	E

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£624	E
Year 2	£1,514	E
Year 3	£2,380	E
Year 4	£2,648	E
Year 5	£3,650	E
Overall	£10,816	E

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is more expensive to live with than the standard Stevlio SUV range, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption for the twin-turbo V6 engine is inevitably poor, which is closely related to the CO₂ score. The Stelvio’s impressive performance also means it earns the very highest insurance group rating, so you’ll pay quite a lot for your annual car insurance premium.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 10
Average repair cost: £723.45
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio family has a middling reliability score, according to workshop and extended warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. However, it’s worth noting that this score is based on very few cars to date, so it could change for better or worse over time.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Overall ratingC51%
New car warranty duration5 years
New car warranty mileage75,000 miles
Battery warranty duration0 years
Battery warranty mileage0 miles

Alfa Romeo’s new car warranty is better than average, and more generous than several premium brands in a similar price bracket as the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The duration is five years, with a limit of 75,000 miles.

Warranty on a used Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

If you are buying an ‘Alfa Romeo Certified’ Stelvio Quadrifoglio from an official Alfa Romeo dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Date: July 2023
Model types: Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Giulia Quadrifoglio
Build dates: 09/2017 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 100
Defect: Affected vehicles equipped with the option BRM (carbon ceramic matrix brakes) may face a braking management issue due to unexpected control unit signals. This may lead to a carbon ceramic disc rupture with a resultant risk of loss or degradation of braking performance.
Remedy: Re-program the BSM (braking system module) with updated software.

Date: September 2022
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 11/2020 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 973
Defect: The automatic headlight position sensors may not have been calibrated and therefore the function does not comply with the requirements of ECE R48.
Remedy: Recalibration of the automatic headlight position sensors and alignment of the headlights.

Date: January 2022
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 09/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 157
Defect: Due to a production nonconformity there may be the possibility of a fuel leak from the fuel pressure and temperature sensor.
Remedy: Replace the front fuel supply pipe and sensor.

Date: September 2021
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 37
Defect: The vehicle may not comply with ECE Regulation 16 Amendment 07 where all seats must be equipped with a safety belt reminder function with visual and audible indication of seat belt status.
Remedy: Conduct a software update to ensure the seat belt indication is available for all occupied seats.

Date: March 2021
Model types: Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Giulia Quadrifoglio
Build dates: 03/2020 to 08/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 7
Defect: There is a possibility of the rear brake discs having micro-cracks.
Remedy: Replace the rear brake discs.

Date: January 2020
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 11/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 57
Defect: The seats may not lock in the correct position.
Remedy: Check and replace the seat frame if necessary.

Date: September 2019
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 03/2016 to 08/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2,402
Defect: More fuel than actually present in the tank could be displayed on the instrument panel.
Remedy: Update the software of the control module which governs fuel level management.

Date: July 2019
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 03/2016 to 06/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 493
Defect: Undesired acceleration of the vehicle may occur whilst active cruise control is operational.
Remedy: Update the software in the brake system module.

Date: May 2018
Model types: All Stelvio
Build dates: 12/2016 to 04/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 1,451
Defect: Due to a potential nonconformity, some electric-electronic components may malfunction as a result of water infiltrations and their performance may be compromised. The vehicle may not function as the driver expects it to during use including unintended activation and opening of the rear liftgate door at vehicle speeds up to 3.1 MPH. An unintended activation and opening of the rear liftgate door may result in a loss of unrestrained cargo. Lost cargo may create a road hazard and could cause a following vehicle to crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Sealing and/or application of sealants in specific places will ensure full parts conformity is restored.

Date: March 2018
Model types: All Stelvio and Giulia
Build dates: 11/2017 to 12/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 11
Defect: The brake/clutch system components may be damaged and system performance may decay as a result of the potential presence of mineral oil in the brake-clutch fluid because the components are not compatible with mineral oil. As a result brake/clutch system performance may deteriorate.
Remedy: Replace the components in the brake-clutch system.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, seven of which are shared with its Giulia saloon sibling. These cover headlights, fuel system, seats, software and brake issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Alfa Romeo dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Stelvio, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has received

2020

4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Performance SUV

2018

Carwow Awards – Driver’s Award

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, you might also be interested in these alternatives

BMW X3 M | BMW X4 M | Jaguar F-Pace SVR | Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 | Porsche Macan Turbo

There are not many hugely potent SUVs and so the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has few direct rivals. The Porsche Macan Turbo comes at a similar price but with less equipment, and the BMW X3M is significantly more expensive than the Alfa.