GRR Garage: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – perfect imperfection

Bad points? The low-speed driveability is pretty poor, as the powertrain feels lurchy and a tad unpredictable, and the tyres scrub across the road with anything more than an armful of steering lock. The fit and finish in places isn’t quite what I’d want for a £70,000 car, either, as one part of the centre console decided to un-glue itself and the Alcantara wheel has not aged well. The tires are horrendously difficult to replace, too (more on that in a later story), and at one point the electronics threw what can only be described as ‘a bit of a wobbly’.

On a more personal note, as I have written, the Giulia Quadrifoglio remains the more desirable car. I think the Giulia is more exciting to drive and prettier, and I know that, given the choice, with both cars in front of me and a set of keys to take, I’d be taking the lower, sleeker saloon.

All that being said, I admire the Stelvio a great deal and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.

The engine is an absolute masterpiece. There are only so many times we can write that but it really is. The four-wheel-drive system, too, makes the Stelvio more approachable, and means you can enjoy more of the engine more of the time.

While the Giulia might be the sleeker of the two, the Stelvio is still a very lovely car. It’s menacing, purposeful and quite possibly the best looking SUV out there. Think how many SUVs look 95 per cent the same, with a few tweaks here and there but, ultimately, similar lines and a similar profile? Or how some SUVs have a very similar design to the smaller cars from the same brand but look awkward, somehow, like someone wearing a suit where the arms are too short and the trousers too big? The Stelvio doesn’t look awkward.

The adaptive suspension is superb, too, as are the carbon-fibre seats, and the car hides its weight incredibly well.

You hear people give plenty of guff about Italian passion and soul, how Alfa Romeos, Ferraris and the like are different to everything else. Some of it is absolute nonsense, but all things considered I’m inclined to forgive many of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio flaws. It isn’t perfect but it is different, and being different nowadays is becoming increasingly less common.

Photography by Pete Summers.