When Alfa Romeo launched the Giulietta Quadrifoglio a few years back, they were praised for returning to their roots, then they released the Stelvio shortly thereafter and were derided for once again turning their backs on heritage in favor of sales.

Everyone was wrong. It just so happens that this particular SUV handles just as well as any performance car and is just as practical as any equivalent SUV, what’s the catch, you might rightly ask? Well, a car like this does not come cheap, with top spec models getting frightfully close to the six figure mark, and it is, after all, an Alfa, with the quirks that go along with the ownership experience. It is far from perfect, but if you want an all conquering super SUV, look no further than this Italian thoroughbred.

10 Ferrari Derived Performance

The Quadrifoglio's 505-hp twin-turbo V6 is the source of this SUV's soul.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

To be clear, nobody who works for Stellantis will be willing to confirm this, but you need only take one look at the engine block.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio - Front
Alfa Romeo

It is very much a Ferrari V8 with a couple cylinders removed, a bit of a developmental shortcut that pretty much everyone meets with approval. The results are a stirring soundtrack, and 500 horsepower.

9 Tech Rich

The front of a Stelvio Quadrifoglio cornering hard
caricos.com

One thing Alfa Romeo is often criticized for is being a bit behind with their technology, but being an all new model just a few short years ago means it benefits from getting developed with all the latest technology and safety equipment in mind.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio's cabin combines ultimate luxury and performance.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

Having said that, even with dated technology Alfa has an awful reliability record, so one has to wonder how long all that tech will work before things start going haywire.

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8 Gorgeous Design

Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-Quadrifoglio-4
Via: hdcarwallpapers.com

Most car companies stumble when it comes to making a half decent looking SUV, even Lamborghini made a bit of hash of it (subjectively speaking).

The rear of a Stelvio Quadrifoglio on the move
caricos.com

The Stelvio designers had no such difficulties, it doesn’t look like it is on stilts, it doesn’t look overweight, it just looks absolutely gorgeous.

7 Super SUV

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio In Green
Via Alfa Romeo

When the Stelvio first came out, it wasn’t immediately obvious that they were targeting the upper echelons of the lucrative luxury SUV market, but the Quadrifoglio changed all that.

Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-Quadrifoglio-front-2
Via: wallpapercave.com

With a 3.3 second 0-60 time that betters almost everything out there, the Stelvio isn’t just a pretty face. It also handles better than most of the other so-called super SUVs, but unlike those sports cars on stilts, it retains a comfortable ride.

Related: Brabus Modifies The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Into The World's Fastest SUV

6 A Practical Side

The rear seating area is generous and nicely finished.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

At its core, it is still a big SUV and remains as practical as any other modern SUV on the road.

The Stelvio is certainly not short on cargo space.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

Like most, fuel efficiency is not its strong suit, but unlike some other super SUVs, this is still pretty easy to drive.

5 Dynamic Driving Experience

via alvolante.it

What sets the Alfa apart is how it is able to handle like a sports car, but remains comfortable for daily use.

2018-Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-Quadrifoglio
source: wsupercars

Any sports car will usually have a pretty firm ride, even the other high performance SUVs that have since bettered the Stelvio’s Nordschleife lap time are all painful to drive. The Stelvio somehow finds an optimum balance, arguably better than her Giulia sister.

Related: These Are The Fastest SUVs Around The Nürburgring Track

4 Huge Presence

2018-Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-Quadrifoglio
source: wsupercars

Over the years, Alfa Romeo have made a name for themselves as a small sports car manufacturer. The Stelvio is not a small car.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Side Aerial Exterior
Via AlfaRomeoOfGreenwich

This is a huge break from tradition, the Giulia was already one of the biggest cars they have ever made, but this took it to another level, but contrary to what most of us thought when it was announced, this isn’t the sell-out traditionalists wanted it to be, it is a genuinely good car.

3 Ridiculously Fast

A red Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Dynamic Shot
Via: Stellantis

The turbo V6 is one of the best modern engines money can buy, that much was proven by the Giulia, but the Stelvio proves just how much it has to give.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio with a beautiful natural background
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

The way it gets this monster off the mark is just incredible, the torque delivery is sumptuous, and the all-wheel drive gives it fantastic traction. We would have all expected it to lose the plot in corners but, it doesn’t, it is balanced and if you are brave it will carry all the momentum through the corner.

Related: The New Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA Is Already A Collector's Car

2 An Unusual Return To Form

Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Via Caricos

Everyone was crying for Alfa Romeo to make sports cars again, nobody really wanted them to make an SUV. We are glad they did.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Via Caricos

The Stelvio is far from perfect, but it is everything a hot SUV should be and so much more, it is practical fun at its very best, putting the hot hatches of the past to shame.

1 Pure Alfa

Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio-Quadrifogliov
via canadianautoreview

It is worth mentioning, although the price is steep, finishing is not exactly on par with the Germans, and as is the case with any Alfa, the reliability record is checkered.

Easily one of the most respected badges in the world of motorsport.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

Somehow Alfa did it, they managed to bake their DNA into an SUV. Now, even all the sports car fans who used to hate SUVs want one.