Stelvio Quadrifoglio thoughts…
Discussion
I’ve just got back from test driving a 2022 Stelvio Quad, having read all the raving reviews I was expecting something rather special. Except it wasn’t. Part of the problem maybe because I wasn’t allowed to drive it in race mode due to dealer insurance.
However, other things that felt strange to me were:-
The steering is seriously sharp - twitchy, nervous, erratic feeling. On a spirited drive I think it would work but for my mrs’ daily use I think it would be unpleasant, to the point I think it would be tiring on longer drives.
I also found the driving position not great but over time would probably be able to get it closer to suit.
The biggest issue for me is that the paddles (which are huge and sit back along way from the wheel) actually block access to the control stalks for indicators and wipers. My mrs is only 5’2” and I don’t see how she would be able to reach the stalks whilst her hands were still on the wheel.
Anyone else experienced any of the above?
However, other things that felt strange to me were:-
The steering is seriously sharp - twitchy, nervous, erratic feeling. On a spirited drive I think it would work but for my mrs’ daily use I think it would be unpleasant, to the point I think it would be tiring on longer drives.
I also found the driving position not great but over time would probably be able to get it closer to suit.
The biggest issue for me is that the paddles (which are huge and sit back along way from the wheel) actually block access to the control stalks for indicators and wipers. My mrs is only 5’2” and I don’t see how she would be able to reach the stalks whilst her hands were still on the wheel.
Anyone else experienced any of the above?
Edited by W12GT on Wednesday 11th September 14:06
W12GT said:
Part of the problem maybe because I wasn’t allowed to drive it in race mode due to dealer insurance.
I haven't driven the Stelvio but, on my Giulia QF, Dynamic mode gives a very good indication of what it's like to drive in Race mode. I expect the Race mode ban was imposed after a Giulia QF was put into Race mode during a test drive and this happened:
W12GT said:
I’ve just got back from test driving a 2022 Stelvio Quad, having read all the raving reviews I was expecting something rather special. Except it wasn’t. Part of the problem maybe because I wasn’t allowed to drive it in race mode due to dealer insurance.
You didn't really get the full experience then. When pottering about it feels normal and yes, not special. However, experiencing the difference and knowing it's there when you want it is great. It's like having two cars in one. You won't want to drive in Dynamic all the time and some days, pottering around like a normal person is just what's needed. It hides its true ability really well. I felt the same as you when I first drove the Quad. 'Be careful', the salesman said as I climbed in. 5 miles down the road I was thinking 'Is this it?'. Then a short while later I thought I'd see what difference 'D' made and it was like night and day. Wow.W12GT said:
The steering is seriously sharp - twitchy, nervous, erratic feeling. On a spirited drive I think it would work but for my mrs’ daily use I think it would be unpleasant, to the point I think it would be tiring on longer drives.
It's certainly light and responsive but I'd never say twitchy or nervous. As with any new car, you'll acclimatise and it'll become the norm. When I drive my partner's Yeti it feels like the front tyres are flat; that feels tiring to use compared to the Stelvio. Alfa's are known for their steering feel.W12GT said:
I also found the driving position not great but over time would probably be able to get it closer to suit.
Subjective. Move the seat and wheel to suit. I found that lowering the seat further than I expected gave a much nicer driving position (I'm 6' 3"). I'm unsure if this is model-dependent but there are 3 seat position memories. One for you, another for your wife and a spare.W12GT said:
The biggest issue for me is that the paddles (which are huge and sit back along way from the wheel) actually block access to the control stalks for indicators and wipers. My mrs is only 5’2” and I don’t see how she would be able to reach the stalks whilst her hands were still on the wheel.
They don't, not really. I never use the paddles and I can reach the wipers (which are auto anyway) and indicate without issue. Why not invite your wife to try the car if you have concerns? You literally have to tap the stalk up or down with a gentle touch, not grip it with an iron fist and man-handle it into position. The main beam can be set to auto; coupled with automatic headlights too you only need to touch the stalk when turning.I've averaged 1000 miles a month since February and the more time I spend in the car, the more it feels like a really nice place to be. it's really grown on me. I wasn't won over straight away, coming from a Q5, but there's no way I'd go back now.
Edited by username_checksout on Wednesday 11th September 19:04
I’d agree with pretty much everything Username said.
Mines only a 280, as was my Guilia before it, but the steering is the best I’ve ever had. It’s anything but tiring it’s almost telepathic.
The paddles have such a tactile feel you don’t need to use them to enjoy them! Having said that I use mine every single drive, pull the right one back to put in drive! How many cars can you do that with? You never need to touch the stick at all. ( apart from reverse!)
Can’t think of another SUV I’d want at all.
Mines only a 280, as was my Guilia before it, but the steering is the best I’ve ever had. It’s anything but tiring it’s almost telepathic.
The paddles have such a tactile feel you don’t need to use them to enjoy them! Having said that I use mine every single drive, pull the right one back to put in drive! How many cars can you do that with? You never need to touch the stick at all. ( apart from reverse!)
Can’t think of another SUV I’d want at all.
velocemitch said:
I’d agree with pretty much everything Username said.
Mines only a 280...
Full disclosure; so is mine but I have owned a Quad and in all honesty, it was too much. I'm glad I experienced it. My brother had a go in it the day I traded it in and early on a Sunday morning on a quiet bit of dual carriageway I saw figures on the speedo that I'd never seen with my own eyes in any other car and quite frankly, I don't want to see again. It was a sobering moment that if he had been caught or something went wrong, lives would be massively impacted. Mines only a 280...
The 280 is no slouch and is the perfect sweet-spot.
username_checksout said:
velocemitch said:
I’d agree with pretty much everything Username said.
Mines only a 280...
Full disclosure; so is mine but I have owned a Quad and in all honesty, it was too much. I'm glad I experienced it. My brother had a go in it the day I traded it in and early on a Sunday morning on a quiet bit of dual carriageway I saw figures on the speedo that I'd never seen with my own eyes in any other car and quite frankly, I don't want to see again. It was a sobering moment that if he had been caught or something went wrong, lives would be massively impacted. Mines only a 280...
The 280 is no slouch and is the perfect sweet-spot.
Fair enough, I’m not suggesting the 2L is better, but for me it’s enough without being too much. It’s not an exciting car but it is a very capable & comfortable one with at least smidgin of style that sets it apart.
You really need to drive the QF in Dynamic or Race mode or whatever the setting is. Having a dealer rev it is no help whatsoever.
Perhaps it’s nothing more than it just isn’t the right car?
You really need to drive the QF in Dynamic or Race mode or whatever the setting is. Having a dealer rev it is no help whatsoever.
Perhaps it’s nothing more than it just isn’t the right car?
I’m not a Quadrifoglio owner but have a Ti.
Ergonomics for me are great in the Stelvio, no complaints from my wife and she is quite wee. The memory power seats help no end.
The steering is keen, it just takes a bit of time to recalibrate your brain if you’ve not had something like this before. The throttle is very sharp in D and that’s in my diesel.
I’m hoping next time I’ll be able to add a QF to the list of Alfas I’ve had.
Ergonomics for me are great in the Stelvio, no complaints from my wife and she is quite wee. The memory power seats help no end.
The steering is keen, it just takes a bit of time to recalibrate your brain if you’ve not had something like this before. The throttle is very sharp in D and that’s in my diesel.
I’m hoping next time I’ll be able to add a QF to the list of Alfas I’ve had.
I was used to the quicker rack from my old 147GTA - but after daily driving the Up then jumping in the QV, I always think "why isn't all steering like this?" as for me it makes driving so much easier. I do a fair bit of faster motorway/A-road driving, but I've never found it twitchy in the slightest, and never heard that criticism before....need to work on your lighter touches OP 
"The throttle in Dynamic mode was definitely very on/off" - I found this too initially....but it's seemingly got better as I've owned mine? Not sure if it adapts to my heavy foot or I've just learnt to be softer, but it seems much better now.
What I *will* agree with is the performance is obscene for the road. It's incredibly easy to reach ban speeds incredibly quickly, and it never feels like you're going that quickly either, so you can never let it off the leash fully and you always feel like you're holding back.
Not suprised the dealer doesn't let you go out in Race though. Some random person you have no idea of what their driving ability is, letting them out in 500bbhp through the rear wheels with no safety net? Dynamic should give you enough of an indication.
In all seriousness, there are too many criticisms here. Everyone has a preference with cars, and if you don't like the steering or driving position, they're core characteristics of the model you'll never change. What about a Jag F-Pace SVR?
"The throttle in Dynamic mode was definitely very on/off" - I found this too initially....but it's seemingly got better as I've owned mine? Not sure if it adapts to my heavy foot or I've just learnt to be softer, but it seems much better now.
What I *will* agree with is the performance is obscene for the road. It's incredibly easy to reach ban speeds incredibly quickly, and it never feels like you're going that quickly either, so you can never let it off the leash fully and you always feel like you're holding back.
Not suprised the dealer doesn't let you go out in Race though. Some random person you have no idea of what their driving ability is, letting them out in 500bbhp through the rear wheels with no safety net? Dynamic should give you enough of an indication.
In all seriousness, there are too many criticisms here. Everyone has a preference with cars, and if you don't like the steering or driving position, they're core characteristics of the model you'll never change. What about a Jag F-Pace SVR?
Edited by Matty_ on Wednesday 11th September 23:55
Matty_ said:
Not suprised the dealer doesn't let you go out in Race though. Some random person you have no idea of what their driving ability is, letting them out in 500bbhp through the rear wheels with no safety net? Dynamic should give you enough of an indication.
The Stelvio QF has Q4 / 4WD. The Guilia QF is rear-wheel drive.I've had a Stevlio QV for quite a few months now and done quite a few long trips (Cumbria - Heathrow etc), I don't find it tiring to drive on long trips.
Dynamic is much more responsive than normal and is great fun. Race mode I do use sometimes but in terms of performance, it's pretty close to dynamic, except the noise. Race is loud
I do also use manual and the paddles and never noticed if they are far back, in fact feels quite comfy.
My wife is 5'4 and loves to drive it. Finds it very comfortable.
Dynamic is much more responsive than normal and is great fun. Race mode I do use sometimes but in terms of performance, it's pretty close to dynamic, except the noise. Race is loud
I do also use manual and the paddles and never noticed if they are far back, in fact feels quite comfy.
My wife is 5'4 and loves to drive it. Finds it very comfortable.
Owned both a 2017 Stelvio 280 and a 2020 Stelvio Quad.
The Quad steering is not at all twitchy in practice but it is quick. I can understand why on a first-drive you might have such an impression. You'll very quickly get past it.
My Mrs (5' 4") had no problem driving either car. She refuses to drive my M340i.
Stalks are not at all blocked by the paddles. As another poster says the paddles are things of such tactility and beauty that you never, ever get tired of them even if you don't use them much (you will every single drive even if just to engage D!)
There is a real difference between Dynamic and Race. It's not just the exhaust valves being open all the time. The steering weight increases, the suspension really hardens (Race + the middle suspension setting is the best combination)
That said, in the Quad I'd say 98% of the miles I did were in Dynamic. Although Race on a track day at Bedford West circuit seeing 140mph down the back straight was pretty epic!
The Quad steering is not at all twitchy in practice but it is quick. I can understand why on a first-drive you might have such an impression. You'll very quickly get past it.
My Mrs (5' 4") had no problem driving either car. She refuses to drive my M340i.
Stalks are not at all blocked by the paddles. As another poster says the paddles are things of such tactility and beauty that you never, ever get tired of them even if you don't use them much (you will every single drive even if just to engage D!)
There is a real difference between Dynamic and Race. It's not just the exhaust valves being open all the time. The steering weight increases, the suspension really hardens (Race + the middle suspension setting is the best combination)
That said, in the Quad I'd say 98% of the miles I did were in Dynamic. Although Race on a track day at Bedford West circuit seeing 140mph down the back straight was pretty epic!
It's the best car I've owned.
My wife doesn't usually care about driving, but to my surprise she really likes the Stelvio.
We use it as a daily driver, short trips to the station and regular long commutes from Essex to Nottingham. Comfortable cruiser on the motorway, awesome back lane sports car when you want it to be.
Steering is quick but precise in normal, but in dynamic and race, you get a nice bit of extra weight and feedback which inspire confidence.
Love it.
My wife doesn't usually care about driving, but to my surprise she really likes the Stelvio.
We use it as a daily driver, short trips to the station and regular long commutes from Essex to Nottingham. Comfortable cruiser on the motorway, awesome back lane sports car when you want it to be.
Steering is quick but precise in normal, but in dynamic and race, you get a nice bit of extra weight and feedback which inspire confidence.
Love it.
I had a pre facelift 2019 Stelvio QV and a facelift 2020 Giulia QV.
I actually preferred the Stelvio if I’m honest - it’s not overly big for an SUv and the lack of gpf in the pre facelift makes for an amazing aural experience.
Whilst I had no issues with the steering (tyre pressures I found make a big difference) it was the brake pedal feel I had to get used to.
As the OP has tried a fairly new model it comes with a lot of sound deadening, thicker glass and sapping exhaust filters…
I actually preferred the Stelvio if I’m honest - it’s not overly big for an SUv and the lack of gpf in the pre facelift makes for an amazing aural experience.
Whilst I had no issues with the steering (tyre pressures I found make a big difference) it was the brake pedal feel I had to get used to.
As the OP has tried a fairly new model it comes with a lot of sound deadening, thicker glass and sapping exhaust filters…
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff