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Overview
Named after a famous pass in the Italian Alps, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is perfect for carving up canyons—or racetracks. This souped-up Alfa SUV is based on the regular Stelvio, but its 505-hp Ferrari-derived engine produces euphoric sounds and absurd acceleration for a part-time family hauler. Although the company's reliability issues raise serious questions, the Stelvio QF raises the performance bar to levels once reserved for sports cars.
Engine, Ride, and Handling
The sole engine is a hypnotic twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 that makes 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. It pairs exclusively with a paddle-shifted eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. One version we tested rocketed from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, making it one of the quickest SUVs we've ever tested. The most impressive trait of this hot crossover—along with its stunning body—is an ethereal chassis that rides as well as it turns. A set of standard adaptive dampers allows you to select the firmness of the ride, but only the bumpiest roads diminish the ride quality. Otherwise, the Stelvio QF corners with remarkable poise and rewards the driver with communicative steering feedback. The sticky performance tires and beefy brakes on our test vehicle helped haul the QF from 70 mph to zero in 157 feet, performance befitting that of a sports car.
Interior and Technology
While the Quadrifoglio has some unremarkable interior bits and inconsistent build quality, its leather-covered and contrast-stitched surfaces are much improved versus the rubberized materials found on the regular Stelvio. Every QF includes an infotainment system that operates through a handy rotary controller and features an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capability. However, its convoluted menu structure and delayed response time to user inputs have tempered our enthusiasm. Still, the super Stelvio has supportive front seats and enormous column-mounted paddle shifters that ensure the driver never feels too far from the racetrack. Its available driver-assistance technology includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, and more.
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