Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 210 Diesel Q4 AWD Super UK 2017 first drive

Despite recent market shifts away from diesel, Alfa expects that 84% of Alfa Romeo Stelvios sold will be oil-burners. This in turn means a 2143cc four-cylinder engine in either entry-level 178bhp form (available in rear-drive or ‘Q4’ four-wheel-drive spec) or the peppier 207bhp version driven here, which comes with Q4 as standard. This is our first spin in a UK market right-hand-drive example.

Rounded up to 2.2 litres for naming purposes, the car features an all-aluminium diesel engine and defies convention by actually weighing less than its 2.0-litre petrol counterpart – albeit by only 1kg. At 1659kg, it’s a lightweight by premium SUV standards, further aided by the extensive use of aluminium body panels and suspension components, and a carbonfibre prop shaft. The transmission is the same eight-speed ZF torque converter that features across the line-up.

The suspension architecture (front double wishbones, multi-link rear) is lifted from the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon with which the Stelvio shares the Giorgio platform, although new springs and dampers have been introduced for the higher-riding Stelvio.

Our test car comes in Super specification – the lowest grade available with this engine. It features the likes of power tailgate, hill-descent control, 8.8in infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav, Alfa’s DNA drive selector, 18in alloys, sat-nav and part-leather seats; although after the options list had been raided, this example’s spec largely surpassed the £3800 pricier Speciale model. Limited-run Milano Edizione spec is a temporary range-topper at launch, commanding an additional £1700.

It’s a decent performer, with little lag to contend with and a good slug of motive force available between 1750rpm and 4000rpm. There’s a bit of a rough churn from the diesel unit at idle, though, and while engine noise never becomes overbearing, its chatter never really fades, either. It sounds quite industrial at low revs when dawdling about town and even a small flex of the right foot when cruising brings more of the same. It also strains at higher revs, but there’s little need to venture near the 4800rpm limiter, anyway.

While the Stelvio happily gobbles up motorway miles, it does so with less assurance than might be expected from a premium SUV, with noticeable tyre roar from our car’s optional 19in rims and a fair amount of A-pillar wind noise, too. At times, there was also vibration felt through the throttle pedal.

Yet the Alfa Romeo Stelvio still has plenty of skills to offer when it comes to less mundane driving, thanks to a capable chassis that curbs roll nicely and gels with the four-wheel-drive system to provide impressive cornering ability. By default, all drive is sent to the rear axle, but a multi-plate clutch can divert up to 50% forward as required and understeer is well contained on all but the sharpest of bends. A sure-footed full-throttle launch on a loose surface also spoke well of the Q4 system’s alacrity.