Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2021 vs Range Rover Velar 2021: Driven to out-perform

What if it was possible to get more of everything in one ultra-premium SUV, including power and styling, for less money? The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is one such high-end luxury SUV that has everything going for it.

One look is all it takes

Let's be honest, looks can be everything. They are a driving factor in most transactions and can easily make or break any product, no matter how good it might otherwise be. There's no taking away from the fact that the Range Rover Velar is attractive however when stationed alongside an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it suddenly seems far less premium.

The Stelvio is the result of 110 years of passion, design and craftsmanship that very few other automakers come close to matching. Mind you, this passion is applied throughout the Stelvio's trim line and not exclusively reserved for the pricier versions.

The cabin too redefines what is available in this price range. Ultra-premium materials, Italian craftsmanship and a truly stirring cockpit-like driving position puts the driver in full control. Part and parcel to this is the included F1-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel and available all-aluminium column-mounted paddle shifters.

More for less is real

For the Velar's starting price, an Alfa Romeo Stelvio TI Sport includes a vast array of features which are optional on the Range Rover. Some examples include 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, aluminium interior accents, a full suite of active safety features including adaptive cruise control, and more.

Alfa Romeo's not quite done yet.

More power too

This SUV is named after the famed Stelvio Pass, the world's greatest driving road. There was no way Alfa Romeo engineers were going to half-bake the Stelvio's performance. This is why it is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine. It produces 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque making it far quicker and more dynamic than the heavier Velar. The Range Rover's base engine is also a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine however it produces only 247 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. Fact is that the Stelvio reaches 97 km/h from a standstill a full second ahead of the Velar.

The Stelvio was built to be driven. This is why a sense of absolute control is critical to Alfa Romeo engineers. This is why the Stelvio features a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and the most precise and communicative steering possible in an SUV. Further enhancing the driving experience with the TI Sport trim are a limited-slip differential and a sport rear diffuser.