2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio v BMW X3 v Volvo XC60 Comparison Review | Drive.com.au

Can Alfa Romeo's first SUV shake-up the establishment?

Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition v BMW X3 xDrive20d v Volvo XC60 D4 Inscription

After years in the wilderness Alfa Romeo announced itself as a serious premium car maker again in 2017 when it launched the Giulia.

[thewhiteEagle]

I will take Alfa Romeo because it is powerful, stylish design, and cheaper than the rivals

[gustavchuene]

Having owned both a BMW E36 325i and an ALFA 156 2.5 V6, i know how well they both drive, but man there is something speciale about an ALFA that no other car has, so it'll be the ALFA for me.

[ronmanson-hing]

Ordinary guy. Previous suvs. BMW. Lexus. Acura. Volvo. Bought Stelio immediately after testing it. 4 months later still excited every time I get into it. By far best vehicle I’ve had. Don’t bother about best value, most reliable etc... it’s your choice and you have to drive it every day so choose the vehicle that you’ll enjoy every time... for me, no comparison, Alfa

[franklingoldgace]

I have owned a BMW and Alfa, and this Alfa first attempt on SUV'S and they have got it right. I will go for the Alfa

[eliotsanz]

I like the BMW inside better then the Volvo. It looks more expensive. But for me I would take the Alfa Romeo.

[sdoberma]

No doubt. the stelvio is the one i would pick for sure!

[ofthznyts]

I have driven BMW's for a long time throughout my career as a Sales Rep. I had shopped the Alfa from the day it was introduced, driving one day in Iowa, I passed by a dealer in Des Moines who had several Stelvios in stock. Two days later I had traded in my 750ix Msport for a Stelvio Sport Ti. I cannot describe the enjoyment I get driving the Stelvio, it is quick and nimble, not luxurious. Always a consideration are netteling issues with Alfa quality, after 18K miles on the clock I have had zero issues. There are certainly details this SUV doesn't have that I wish it did, but what a joy this is to drive. Could use Heads Up display, and the infotainment doesn't even compare to my '15 Jeep (from the same FCA family). But I just tell myself the interior is all I really need, the dash is unencumbered, clean in a word! Buy it, you will not regret it!

[JoseCastro-bsiw]

I test drove the Volvo and although I was extremely impressed with the styling and interior, it just wasn’t engaging enough for me. I agree the interior is by far the best out of the segment. As soon as I drove the Alfa, I knew I found what I was looking for. Red leather seats make the interior pop more but the infotainment system is a little behind the other two. The sporty styling that’s only be available on an M series BMW, you can get on the Alfa for a much lower price. I didn’t test drive the X3 though, I find it quite boring and more a soccer moms car.

[jameswilliamson]

I bought an Alfa Romeo Stelvio after testing driving the Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC60. Wasn't interested in the BMW X3 because didnt like the appearance that much. Lexus was bulky and boring to drive. Volvo had better handling and performance with dressiest interior. Stelvio, however, was far and away best handling and performance with best value. Agree with youtube video on Volvo being dressier interior but handling and performance definitley lacking compared to Stelvio and Volvo much pricier. Wife even liked Stelvio better. After 4500 trouble free miles and I couldn't be happier. You've got to test drive to feel the differrence,

[spencerbowditch]

My heart says Alfa in red. Although my brain says second hand Toyota...

[rmr]

I really don't like the volvo exactly for its swedish design. I would definitely take the Alfa over both the BMW and Volvo.

[tonychan]

In fact you have answered that question " it has been a very long time since you have enjoy driving an SUV". Want luxury? Then buy the new A6 with air. Low center of gravity and plenty of room for the whole family. Want to fall asleep behind the steering, then buy the Volvo.

[beatspacek]

By the looks of it, Alfa Romeo all day n night!
I tell you, all Alfa has to do come midterm refresh is to a) Fix the interior “perceived” quality by simply improving the quality of the plastics lower down in cabin, not forgetting the whole gear selection area and control wheel for the satnav/entertainment could do with a little sprucing up. b) The Satnav/infotainment needs to be ditched in favour of a way more up to date system- I hear pray tell that they have access to a decent setup via some of their other group offerings within Fiat Chrysler.
There ya go Alfa! That’s all that is needed for you to wipe the floor with the relatively boring opposition! The Stelvio looks great- both inside and out. The drive is unquestionable and all for a fair price! I love both the X3 and XC60 but they wouldn’t get a look in if I was in the market for any of them.
Like I said. Alfa Romeo all day n night!

[kurtmuroki]

Alfa for me. I've tried the BMW and the Alfa. No comparison in my mind. Volvo I still need to try, but I prefer sporty and fun to luxury only because I'd get bored after a few months. to be clear, I prefer the standard Alfa to the X3 M40i!

[claudius]

Stelvio, without a doubt, the rest is boredom.

[andrecarpy]

I like how relatively rare the Alfa is, you dont really see them on the road.

[richx]

Love my X3 30i (2018). I agree with this commentary. All these variants are really good. It comes down to personal taste and needs. I liked the X3 because it seemed very well rounded. Not cheap, but a really excellent vehicle overall. I had heard some commentary about Alpha’s and access to servicing, but not sure if this is really an issue and the Volvo is very comfortable but I preferred the layout of the BMW cockpit (possibly biased here as I’ve had BMWs before - so very familiar).

[JoseCastro-bsiw]

I test drive the Volvo and the Alfa and as soon as I got on the road with the Alfa, I knew that was my pick and bought it that same day. The X3 is very boring so I didn’t even consider it and I couldn’t afford a M model. I’m more about the driving experience so the fancy interior and tech didn’t really sway me. However, the new gen X4 looks amazing.

[JDndcity]

The point that this and other reviews of the Stelvio miss is that it is doing the job of an SUV and an estate. It's on that basis that my wife is buying one instead of either a 3 Touring or an X3. She says there isn't an area that it comes up short to my '19 3 Touring.

[mathiasvdk]

The Volvo looks like a luxury vehicle, BMW should really upgrade their interiors. Should have digital dials and a better screen at that price.