Michael Satterfield
In Texas, trucks rule the highways, and full-size SUVs are as common as bluebonnets in the Hill Country. But every so often, something foreign and unexpected glides into view—sleek, confident, and altogether unbothered by the herd. The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is one of those rare creatures. Cloaked in a deep Verde Fangio Metallic paint that shimmers between emerald and obsidian in the sunlight, the Stelvio Veloce makes no attempt to hide its Italian bloodline. It’s a sport utility vehicle by name, sure, but in spirit, it’s a grand tourer masquerading as a daily driver.
For Texans who crave something beyond the badge-driven sameness of the luxury SUV market, Alfa Romeo offers a distinctly different experience—emotive design, a touch of old-world romance, and a surprisingly dynamic drive that’s more Hill Country twisties than Houston highway crawl.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio: From Milan to Marfa
Alfa Romeo is a brand that trades on legacy. It conjures images of winding roads in Tuscany, leather driving gloves, and a red-lipped passenger with oversized sunglasses. But that image alone doesn’t move vehicles in Dallas or Dripping Springs. Texans are pragmatic—style is good, but substance is required. Thankfully, the Stelvio Veloce doesn’t just lean on its looks. It backs up the bravado with a genuinely impressive powertrain.
Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which churns out 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. That may sound modest in a market where German rivals push over 300 horses as a matter of course, but thanks to a finely tuned ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and a svelte chassis, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce pulls off 0 to 60 in around 5.4 seconds. That’s quick—sports-sedan quick.
And it feels it. The torque arrives early and eagerly, and the throttle response is crisp without being twitchy. All-wheel drive comes standard, and on a long stretch of winding ranch road outside Fredericksburg, the Stelvio clung to the pavement like a house gecko to stucco. It leans into corners with confidence, darting between curves in a way that makes you forget it has five doors and room for a Costco run.
There’s even a bit of theater in the drive modes—Dynamic sharpens the throttle, stiffens the steering, and makes the Stelvio feel more like an Alfa should: agile, assertive, and just a little bit dramatic.
Interior: Where Passion with Some Practicality
The interior is where Alfa has made the most noticeable strides. Step inside the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce, and you’re greeted by rich leather sport seats, aluminum trim, and a flat-bottom steering wheel that gives a subtle nod to the brand’s motorsport heritage. It’s sporty without being Spartan.
The driving position is excellent—low enough to feel engaged, high enough for good visibility. The 8.8-inch touchscreen is no longer the Achilles’ heel it once was. While still not quite as slick as BMW’s iDrive or Mercedes’ MBUX, it’s functional, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. Alfa has wisely added redundant physical controls for climate and volume, which saves you from hunting through submenus while doing 75 on I-35.
Rear-seat space is adequate for adults, though the sloping roofline means taller passengers might brush their heads if you’re hitting a particularly bumpy stretch of ranch road. Cargo space is on par with the class, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the second row—enough for weekend luggage, a pair of golf bags, or a few cases of Hill Country wine.
Italian Quirks, for Better or Worse
Now, it wouldn’t be an Alfa Romeo without a few quirks. That’s part of the charm, they say—though your definition of charm may vary.
Take the push-button start, which is oddly located on the steering wheel like in a Ferrari. Or the occasional hiccup in the infotainment system’s responsiveness. The build quality has improved dramatically in recent years, but there’s still a lingering sense that some surfaces—like the plastic around the center console—could be a bit more premium given the $50,000-plus price tag.
And yet, these eccentricities are part of the package. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce isn’t trying to be another interchangeable luxury SUV. It’s trying to be an Alfa Romeo. And that means it’s going to color outside the lines.
What It Costs, and What It’s Worth
Pricing for the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce starts at $50,990. With destination and a few well-judged options—like the dual-pane sunroof, Verde Fangio Metallic paint, and upgraded 20-inch wheels—you’re looking at something closer to $62,000. That’s competitive with similarly equipped offerings from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
But where the German rivals often feel coldly competent, the Stelvio brings emotion to the equation. It’s the difference between a watch that tells time and one that tells a story.
Alfa also includes a decent suite of standard safety features: forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. Nothing revolutionary, but all the essentials are present and accounted for.
Fuel economy is a respectable 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway—again, competitive, though not segment-leading.
Texas Fit? You Might Be Surprised
In the Lone Star State, Alfa Romeo’s footprint is admittedly small. Dealerships are fewer and farther between than the mainstream brands. But for those who want to stand out—who’ve grown bored of the Teutonic sameness of luxury SUVs—the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce offers a refreshing alternative.
It’s also more practical than you might assume. The compact size makes it a breeze to park in tight spots in downtown Austin or along Houston’s crowded Rice Village. All-wheel drive gives it sure-footedness in the wet or when venturing off pavement, and the engine doesn’t mind the occasional blast down a Farm-to-Market road.
It’s a city cruiser, a country dancer, and—if you can embrace its quirks—a daily driver with soul.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio: Should you buy one?
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is not the SUV for everyone. It’s not trying to be. But for a select group of drivers—those who appreciate beauty, crave performance, and don’t mind a little drama—it’s a compelling choice.
In a world of safe bets and corporate blandness, the Stelvio Veloce is unapologetically different. And that, perhaps, is its greatest strength. For Texans who like their trucks big and their steaks rare, but still appreciate a fine bottle of Barolo and a good twist of the throttle, Alfa Romeo might just have something worth a second look.
