Alfa Romeo Stelvio review

As well as an all-new chassis, the Stelvio and Giulia use all-new engines that are among the best in class given the power outputs, balancing performance and economy pretty damn well. The RWD diesel dips below 140g/km of CO2 and boasts more than 50mpg combined, while the 200bhp petrol claims around 40mpg. Though you’ll have to be smoooooth to achieve it; it’s a modest amount of power for a car this shape and weight, and if you work it a little hard you won’t even scrape 30mpg.

If that worries you, then logic suggests there’ll be a bit of hybrid power injected into the Stelvio further down the line; it’s started cropping up in a number of Fiats and Jeeps elsewhere in the Stellantis stable, which you’ll remember now brings the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and others under one very large roof. So it can only be a matter of time, right?

You’ve got three main trim levels to choose from: Sprint, Veloce and Estrema. There used to be more, but streamlining is very much the order of the day. The former of those starts from under £47k, for which you get 19in alloy wheels, a black flock interior with leather surrounds, a 7in touchscreen, active cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, a rear view camera and that wireless charging pad.

Upgrade to the mid-spec trim for £52,499 and you’ll get 20s, a limited slip differential, full sports leather seats and a heated steering wheel. The top-spec Estrema trim costs from £58,849 and adds luxuries like Alcantara, carbon fibre accents and a Harman Kardon sound system, plus dynamic suspension. Remember the diesels are your cheapest route into Stelvio ownership, so factor in a couple of extra Gs for going petrol.

Then of course there’s the Quadrifoglio, which will set you back £80k before options. At least you get a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty: we’ve run a couple of Giulias in the Top Gear garage with the occasional glitch, so a bit of support is probably welcome.