ALFA, RANGE ROVER AND BMW ARE READY FOR YOU

THREE FOR THE ROAD

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO

Alfa Romeo has staged a comeback in the US over the past six years, mainly driven by the success of the Stelvio SUV. The new Competizione bridges the divide between the more mainstream 4-cylinder models and the outrageous Quadrifoglio, whose 504hp V6 elevates it to the pantheon of true hotrod SUVs. The test Comp looked almost identical to a Quad, with gorgeous “telephone dial” wheels and lots of gloss black addenda contrasting beautifully with its moonlight grey matte paint.

Inside there are incredibly huggy sports seats that properly situate front occupants, a decent-sized rear bench and a well-shaped, if smaller than class-average, cargo area. The 8.8-inch touch-screen is also smaller than the norm, and its software is nothing close to as intuitive as the UConnect system in the newer Alfa Tonale.

But the 12.3-in digital gauges are attractive and the leather dashtop and door cappings beg to be touched.

The Stelvio Competizione’s chassis is the only thing that can match—or exceed—a Porsche Macan for driver feedback and interaction, with superb body control, good ride quality and incredibly tactile handling. The Alfa’s steering is very quick; this makes it possible to tackle 180-degree switchbacks without moving hands from the 10- and 2-o’clock positions on the lovely steering wheel. Its 2-liter turbo has little lag, sounds good and pulls hard, though one might wish for a higher redline. Its stats are 280 hp and 306-lb-ft and it can hit 60 in 5.3 seconds; it generates decent fuel economy, too. If one’s focus is on fun, it is impossible to beat the Alfa Romeo for anywhere near the price.

ALFA ROMEO

$59,870

EPA MPG Ratings: 22/28/24mpg

0-60mph: 5.3sec

BMW i5 eDRIVE40

The Velar could be said to have kicked off Range Rover’s current aesthetic, inside and out, when it debuted in 2018. Sleek and well-proportioned, its “reductionist” styling has translated well to larger and pricier models. Minor trim tweaks to its grill, bumper, and accent colors mean that, even six years in, it still has massive curb appeal. Inside, material quality is high and there is generous room for occupants and luggage. New is the 11.4-inch, curved touchscreen display, and the removal of many hard buttons. Thankfully, Pivi Pro, the current OS, is fast and intuitive. The Meridian hifi is excellent, seat comfort is superb and the cargo area capacious for this class. The Velar shares a platform with Jaguar’s F-Pace but has been tuned to be softer and less dynamic. As a result, it rides potholed roads much better; overall refinement is first class.

It also has better body control than the full-size Rangie, which can list like a schooner in choppy seas. In these respects, the Velar is closest to the RR Sport model.

Its steering is direct and linear, with more weighting to it than an Audi Q5 or BMW X3. Unlike those two, it is overburdened when powered by the basic 4-cylinder engine. But it thrives with the 395-hp inline-six. Despite its thirst, consider that P400 model mandatory for the kind of civilized progress one would expect from the doyen of SUVs. The Velar is priced at the top of its class, but its presence is undeniable. It stands out from the hordes of premium SUVs that spring from German, Asian and American companies.

RANGE ROVER

$81,033

EPA MPG Ratings: 19/25/21mpg

0-60mph: 5.7sec