Named after a famous winding pass in the Italian Alps, the Stelvio is perfect for carving up canyons. A turbo 2.0-liter four makes 280 hp and pairs with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. For more power, the Quadrifoglio flaunts a 505-hp 2.9-liter turbo V-6; an adaptive suspension is standard. Alfa claims a zero-to-60 time of 3.9 seconds. Inside, the Stelvio offers an optional 900-watt Harman/Kardon audio system, but we’re pretty sure that sweet engine is all you’ll want to hear. Assembled at Alfa’s Cassino plant in Frosinone, Italy, the Stelvio is built on the same platform as the Giulia and will be offered in three trim levels: Stelvio, Stelvio Ti, and the high-performance Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which has enough distinct features and tuning to be considered a separate model. While the Stelvio and Stelvio Ti both rely on a 280-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four for motivation, the high-performance Quadrifoglio utilizes the 505-hp 2.9-liter turbocharged V-6 from the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Aluminum is used extensively in the construction of every Stelvio, including the front and rear subframes, the suspension components (control arms in front, multilink in the rear), the doors, and the fenders; the rear crossmember is partly made of composite plastics to pare more weight.
If you want a crossover that sacrifices as little of the conventional-car driving experience as possible, then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio should be given serious consideration. It’s a great car in its own right, but given it is Alfa’s first SUV, it’s borderline brilliant on first acquaintance. All Stelvios ride on double wishbones at the front and multi-link at the rear (Alfa says it’s ‘four-and-a-half-link’), as well as what Alfa says is the most direct steering set-up in the segment. Q4 four-wheel-drive is standard, albeit with a rear-bias to the power distribution: 100% in normal driving conditions and up to 50% pushed to the front when circumstances demand it. You can also option in a mechanical LSD at the rear if you’re planning on hot laps (as if!).
Alfa Romeo has high hopes for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio; the model will even offer carbon fiber shell racing-style seats made by Sparco as well as carbon ceramic Brembo brakes. To save fuel, the Quadrifoglio's V-6 employs cylinder deactivation that allows it to run on just three cylinders during low load situations.
Pros Italian style Promise of serious performance Gorgeous interior Base model offers solid specs
Cons No RWD may be a lose in smile states Big gap between 4-cylinder and twin-turbo V-6 Too little, too late?
New Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe and Cayenne Turbo Coupe models.Features swoopy coupe roofline and wider track at the expense of rear headroom.2+2 standard seating configuration, but a bench rear seat is a no-cost option.Part of the third Cayenne generation introduced for 2019.
Pros Truly impressive handling for a crossover SUV Wide selection of powerful engines available Exquisite interior and build quality Plenty of customization options
Cons Quite a few optional features should be standard given the price tag Gloss-black interior panels can look dirty almost immediately Poor rear visibility Fans are weak at low speeds and too noisy at high speeds
Not many automakers know coupes as well as Porsche—the brand made famous by the iconic 911—so it's surprising we've had to wait this long for a coupe version of its popular Cayenne SUV. The fastback SUV will be cruising into Porsche dealerships in October 2019.
Porsche's Cayenne Coupe has hit local hot-mix. But which of the fresh-face three-tier range is our pick of fast SUV pack?
Pros Good spread of pricing and choice Handsome coupe styling Little compromise in practicality Turbo's stonking performance
Cons Standard four-seat format is daft Pricey options Turbo thirst No sportier to drive than the wagon
