2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce AWD Review

When your kid graduates college, you celebrate big—and preferably behind the wheel of something fabulous. For Noah’s Oregon State University graduation, I headed to Portland and slid behind the wheel of the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce AWD. Equal parts stylish and practical, it was the ultimate road trip companion as I bounced between Portland and Corvallis, juggling family time, photo ops, and parking spot battles in a city that treats spacious parking like a myth.

First Impressions: Alfa Romeo’s Signature Flair

Let’s get this out of the way: the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is hot. I mean, “park it and turn around just to look at it again” hot. The exterior paint was Alfa Rosso, a bold, attention-grabbing red that made the SUV stand out everywhere—from downtown Portland’s upscale neighborhoods to the sleepy suburbs of Corvallis. Paired with gloss-black window moldings, Vulcano black mirror caps, and striking 20-inch sport 5-hole aluminum wheels, it looked fast even when it was parked.

The dual dark exhaust tips and LED lighting all around (headlamps, taillamps, daytime running lights) add just the right amount of aggression. It has a sporty but sophisticated edge, which is precisely what I wanted while juggling graduation duties and mini road trips with my crew of four.

Practical Luxury for a Family Weekend

A weekend of family events means one thing: stuff. You’ve got fancy clothes for ceremonies, snacks and gifts, and let’s not even start on how many bags people pack “just in case.” The Stelvio Veloce handled it all with ease.

The power liftgate was a small luxury I didn’t know I’d appreciate so much. When your hands are full of congratulatory balloons and grocery bags, a hands-free liftgate is basically magic. The cargo space was ample for our long weekend, and the cargo cover kept everything tucked out of sight—a must-have in urban Portland.

Inside, the black sport leather seats offered just the right mix of cushion and bolstering for long drives. Heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel? Yes, please. The dual-pane sunroof made the cabin feel open and airy—even when we were stuck in Portland traffic. And with Oregon’s ever-changing weather, I appreciated the rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated side mirrors.

Powertrain and Performance: A Fun-to-Drive Family SUV

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine cranking out 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. This is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that was responsive and smooth.

And yes, it’s all-wheel drive, which meant I never gave a second thought to road conditions, gravel lots, or Portland’s predictable drizzle. The Alfa DNA Drive Mode system allowed me to switch between Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency modes. While “Natural” worked for everyday use, I’ll admit I had fun toggling it into Dynamic when we had the road to ourselves.

Fuel Efficiency for Frequent Drives

Driving back and forth between Portland and Corvallis multiple times made fuel economy a major factor. The Stelvio Veloce delivered an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway), which kept the fuel stops minimal and the road time maximal.

For a turbocharged SUV with sport performance, that’s impressive. I never felt like I was compromising power for efficiency. It was the Goldilocks of road trip rides—just right.

Parking in Portland: Size Matters

Downtown Portland can be a cruel mistress when it comes to parking. Whether I was exploring the Pearl District, hunting for coffee in Nob Hill, or visiting the Japanese Garden (where parking is essentially a contact sport), I was continually grateful for the Stelvio’s compact size and maneuverability.

At just under 185 inches in length and with a tight turning radius, squeezing into tight spots was shockingly painless. Front and rear park assist sensors and a rearview camera made threading into narrow curbside spaces feel like a breeze—not the usual sweat-inducing trial of wills.

Safety Features for Peace of Mind

Alfa Romeo might be known for performance and passion, but the Stelvio Veloce doesn’t skimp on safety tech. Standard features include:

• Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus

• Blind Spot and Cross-Path Detection

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Full Stop

• Front and Rear Park Assist

Basically, it’s like having a co-pilot that doesn’t complain about your driving.

As I navigated highways, city streets, and backroads alike, the suite of safety systems gave me confidence. I particularly loved the adaptive cruise control with full stop during our freeway drives—it made long stretches stress-free and was smart enough to handle Oregon’s start-stop congestion with ease.

Tech and Connectivity

Let’s talk screens and buttons. The driver gets a customizable 12.3-inch TFT display that made checking navigation and vehicle stats simple. In the center console sits an 8.8-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a wireless charging pad.

We connected phones easily, streamed music, and navigated with no hiccups. And with eight speakers delivering crisp sound, even my backseat critics were happy (a rare occurrence). The onboard tech was intuitive and fast—something not all luxury vehicles can claim.

Comfort for All Passengers

We were four adults riding together most of the weekend, and every seat in the Stelvio Veloce remained comfortable—even during longer drives. The rear seats had enough legroom for my taller-than-average teens, and the heated seats back there were a much-loved surprise.

Driver and front passenger get 8-way and 6-way power adjustable seats respectively, with 4-way lumbar support and power seat bolsters (thank you, Veloce Package). It was easy to find just the right position for hours on the road.

Add-Ons That Elevate the Drive

Let’s give a quick shoutout to the packages that truly made a difference:

Veloce Package ($2,000):

• Limited-slip differential

• Power-adjustable seat bolsters

The aesthetic upgrades made the vehicle pop, and the limited-slip differential added to the dynamic performance feel.

Active Driver Assistance Package ($700):

• Adds advanced driving aids like Highway Assist and Driver Attention Alert

• Hands-free power liftgate

This package gave me peace of mind on every leg of the trip.

Dual-Pane Sunroof ($1,500):

• Huge difference in natural light and perceived cabin space

• Everyone commented on how open it made the ride feel

20” Sport Wheels ($1,750):

• Worth every penny in terms of style and cornering performance

• Paired with 255/45R20 all-season tires, they looked and handled like a dream

The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Stelvio Veloce?

If you want an SUV that blends Italian passion with family-friendly function, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce AWD is for you. It’s perfect for:

• Parents of college students doing lots of back-and-forth trips between campuses

• Couples who want style and performance without sacrificing everyday practicality

• Urban drivers who need compact ease with luxury finishes

• Families with teens who need rear seat space and cargo room

At a total price of $57,635, the Stelvio Veloce AWD sits firmly in the premium compact SUV category. But with its performance, features, and head-turning design, it easily competes with German and Japanese rivals—and often out-charms them.

Final Thoughts

Between the laughter of graduation celebrations, emotional goodbyes, and a flurry of family photo ops, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce AWD was more than just transportation—it was part of the experience. It added a layer of style and sophistication to our trip while staying practical enough to handle every challenge Oregon threw our way.

Would I drive it again for a special occasion—or honestly, just to feel fabulous on a regular Tuesday? In a heartbeat.