The 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Competizione is heavy on style, light on substance

Alfa Romeo’s lineup is one of the more unique and nuanced offerings in the United States. Its models are exceptionally stylish, and all offer some serious driving dynamics. My wife and I spent a week with the Tonale about a year ago and liked a lot of what it is. 

Recently, Alfa had us in the new Stelvio Competizione, and, surprise, surprise, it felt very similar to that Tonale, but even more aggressive. If you’ve ever been on a date with an attractive person, but after some time found them to be a little too much — and a little needy — then you’ll probably have a pretty good idea what the Stelvio is like.

We enjoyed the Stelvio, but it isn’t for everyone. Here are a few things we really liked about our time with the Stelvio and a few that left us scratching our heads.

Search Alfa Romeo Stelvio listings on KSL Cars

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

It’s so beautiful

Though the Stelvio had been around for a few years, it looks just as svelte as ever. It’s honestly so stylish, and even a tad sultry, it’s hard not to be taken by it on looks alone. The Competizione trim brings Moonlight Gray matte paint, new LED matrix headlights, new taillights and a refreshed version of the V grille, among other luxury features. It is hands down one of the most stunning compact SUVs on the market, and it looks much more expensive than its as-tested price of $59,870 suggests. It’s hot, sexy, ready to hit the red carpet and a true stand-out for the crowd.

Our tester was equipped with the $6,100 Customer Preferred Package which also included such stylish options as the Vulcano gloss black body kit, a sport rear diffuser, a Miron Black V-Scudetto grille, awesome looking 21-inch five-hole wheels and gloss-red Brembo brake calipers with white script. The package also includes several performance and interior upgrades, like a limited-slip differential, active suspension, red accent stitching, and more, making this package a must-have. 

Find Stelvio listings on KSL Cars

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Engaging, sporty and agile driving dynamics

If the Stelvio’s beauty transfixed us, its aggression truly shocked us. This thing is pretty hardcore and almost impossible to drive casually. Even in its most docile driving modes and suspension setup, the Stelvio is dialed up to 11, begging to be let off its leash. 

Barely touch the throttle and you’re off. Lightly turn the steering wheel and you’re in a ditch. We tried all week to adjust to its ultra-sensitive inputs, but couldn’t. We wanted to like it, but in the end, it all felt a bit much. Don’t get me wrong, this thing is fun when you’re committed to hardcore driving and you have the right road to do it on. But for everyday driving, it got to be a little annoying. Just calm down, Stelvie.

On the other hand, if pure driving engagement is a high priority for you, you probably won’t find anything else that comes close to what the Stelvio offers at this price point. The turbocharged 4-cylinder produces 280 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, which may not seem like a lot, but Alfa Romeo has tuned it so aggressively you’ll swear it makes more power than that. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

However, I do think the Competizione trim would benefit from even more power to match its stellar handling dynamics. The top-tier Quadrifoglio offers a twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 505 horsepower — why not give the Competizione a detuned version of that engine? It seems like a missed opportunity.

Supportive front seats

The Stelvio’s interior, like an Italian suit, is tight. The seats are firm, the backseat is small and the headroom and cargo space are lacking. But again, the Stelvio is not into practicality — it's about making a statement and impressing onlookers. That said, while the front seats are on the tighter side and a little overly aggressive, they’re supportive and comfortable. Even the bolstering is adjustable; larger, taller drivers will appreciate their overall eight-way adjustability. 

Search Stelvio listings here →

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Quirky infotainment and driver display

Alfa Romeo is part of the Stellantis family, which includes Ram, Jeep and Chrysler, and it’s obvious where some parts have been shared. UConnect 5 is the base operating system, and it has typically been a system we’ve enjoyed in other Stellantis products. But something about its utilization here was infuriating. 

First, it’s a small screen — 8.8 inches — and subsequently, the buttons, icons and font are minuscule and hard to read. Second, it was challenging to navigate the screens and menus. Even getting our phones to connect was an issue. However, they looked beautiful (are you catching a theme here?) and were crystal clear, with razor sharp fonts and resolution.

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Final thoughts

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Competizione is very much its own thing. It offers a niche appeal and is primarily for those who prioritize style and driving dynamics above all else. If those two qualities are what you’re after, and nothing else, then look no further than the Stelvio Competizione. 

Shop all Alfa Romeo Stelvio listings on KSL Cars

Highs

• Supermodel looks

• Aggressive, engaging driving dynamics

• Stands out from the crowd

• An exotic offering for less than $60,000

• Supportive front seats

Lows

• Handling and throttle dynamics may be too aggressive for most buyers

• Could use more power to match the price

• Finicky infotainment system

• Cramped interior

• Not a lot of storage or cargo space

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

FAQs

 Is the Stelvio Competizione fun to drive?

Yes and no. It’s reasonably quick (again, it needs more power at this price point), but its handling and throttle response are the real standouts. That said, it is high-strung and a little oversensitive for everyday driving.

Is it good for families?

Probably not. Small children will fit OK in the rear seat, but there isn’t a lot of legroom, storage or cargo space. Families will want to look elsewhere.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com.