A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

As the demand for SUVs of all sizes continues to increase, Alfa Romeo has decided to vie for a piece of that market pie. Kyle Kock gets behind the wheel of the Stelvio.

- Kyle Kock

The Italians have recognised that the automotive world is changing, with car makers trying to appeal to as big an audience as possible. It just doesn’t make financial sense to cater to the boutique hatch crowd and supercar elite, does it? No, and what better way than to make a splash in the SUV crowd?

In the metal

Using the same design language used on the Giulia sedan, the Stelvio compact SUV strikes a familiar pose thanks to its narrow headlamps and elongated V grille with gaping vents that flank it. The shoulder line rises continuously to the rear, culminating in a sort of sill just above the tail lamps. The profile looks a lot more race-ready than family-friendly, with a tinted glasshouse bordered by chrome trim and massive wheel arches that appear to be able to hold a lot more than the 18” wheels that come fitted as standard on the base model Stelvio.

Living up to the name