It’s a while since I’ve driven an Alfa-Romeo so I looked forward to testing their updated mid-size Stelvio SUV, more specifically, the new higher performance Veloce model, now part of a revised four-model Stelvio line-up.  If your familiar with the famous and challenging Stelvio pass in the Italian Alps you’ll appreciate why this sporty Alfa Romeo SUV has taken its name.  There’s a multitude of premium SUV’s on the market but few with the sporty attributes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce at $78,950.

The Veloce gets an uprated 2.0-litre turbo engine with 206kW and 400 Nm of torque linked to an 8-speed automatic with shift paddles. For starters, its feels enormously rigid, has a positive all-wheel drive system with the benefit of a limited slip differential, a superbly tuned suspension, three drive modes with active damping that gives it sports car handling. The steering superbly ratioed and weighted has pinpoint feel and great off-centre response – uprated braking top class so too ride comfort, the latter surprising given its impressive sports flair.

This is a driver’s SUV, benefiting from a Veloce body kit with twin exhausts, exceptional sports electric leather seats and 20-inch alloy wheels. There’s so much to like with the Stelvio Veloce but there’s certain small elements that frustrate as well – I’ll explain in my next segment.

I’m David Berthon

Click PLAY to listen!

Download this podcast here