2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio TI AWD An Italian Style SUV

By Randi Payton

Decisive Media Network

The global mergers in the automotive industry continues with Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s (FCA) ownership and reinvention of Alfa Romeo. Like Fiat’s return to the U.S. by merging with Chrysler, Alfa Romeo vehicles are back. However, this time with larger performance and stylist Italian vehicles that appeal to Americans.  Expect the same strategy from FCA’s recent merger with Peugeot.

The first Alfa Romeo SUV was introduced in 2018 - the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a distinctive SUV that combines the brands Italian style, sports heritage, and luxury characteristics. It’s a different type of SUV with performance and handling that makes it stand out from other luxury SUV models like the BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, Lexus NX, and the Audi Q5. Which is exactly the point FCA wanted to make.

FCA has introduced a complete lineup of SUVs under the Stelvio nameplate. They include: Stelvio base RWD model for $40,540; Stelvio Base AWD for $42,545; Stelvio TI for $44,745; and the 505-horsepower, high performance Stelvio Quadrifoglio for $80,245 MSRP. A hybrid version is also in the planning stages.

I tested the 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio TI Sport AWD, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that gets 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. All 2019 Stelvio models are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Alfa Romeo recently introduced the lower-priced base Stelvio RWD in 2019 for a few thousand dollars less than the AWD.  The base also offers a Sport and Cold weather package, upgraded driver-assistance, safety and infotainment features.

The 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio TI AWD offers a host of standard features, including  the TI Sport Carbon package, sea- mounted airbags, rear back-up cameras, remote start, Alfa DNA Drive Mode, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, 8.8-inch radio, 7-inch color display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather wrapped steering wheel and wood interior trim.

The Stelvio is roomy enough for families and luxurious enough for professionals. Its many safety features make it an ideal vehicle for driving in dense city and highway traffic. The powerful four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the Stelvio goes 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.

The EPA rates its fuel economy as 22 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway for an average 24 MPG. The base MSRP on the test vehicle was $44,745. Price as tested was $61,090 fully loaded. To make comments or subscribe to Decisive Media’s Autoblog, visit www.decisivemedia.net.