2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs. 2021 Cadillac XT5: Sportier Is Better

SUVs are exponentially growing in popularity, mainly because they are versatile and offer more amenities than their four-door counterparts. However, some brands forget that many drivers at heart still want passion, performance and superior style even if they are opting for a bigger vehicle.

Alfa Romeo takes these principles very seriously, and the Stelvio is the perfect example. It is the sports car of the SUV segment, and while other rivals adopt a bland, run-of-the-mill exterior style with engines that only provide the minimum in terms of performance, the Stelvio steps up to break records and establish new norms in terms of power, torque and overall driving dynamics.

This year, the Stelvio hits the market with the new Sprint variant, additional exterior colours, more standard equipment and remodeled technologies that make it the ultimate choice in the segment.

Here, we compare it to the 2021 Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio moves further with its powerplants

In the Stelvio Sprint, Ti and Ti Sport variants, you will find a state-of-the-art, motorsport inspired 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. If you opt for the Quadrifoglio variant, you will benefit from a Ferrari-derived 505-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine with 443 lb-ft of torque.

All Stelvios come with the Q4 All-wheel-drive system, as well as a performance-oriented 8-speed transmission. When paired with the available steering column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters, it will shift through gears in less than 100 milliseconds.

The XT5's base engine is also a 2.0-litre turbo unit, but it provides much less performance than the Stelvio's comparable engine, with only 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The most powerful option with the XT5 is a 3.6-litre V6 engine. But with 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, it is closer to the Stelvio's base unit than it is with the Quadrifoglio.

Beyond numbers and engines, the Stelvio provides a much better driving experience thanks to a combination of factors, like its exclusive carbon fibre driveshaft that keeps its weight down and puts the power to the ground quicker, its near perfect 50/50 weight distribution and its direct and responsive steering.

The Stelvio exudes passion, inside and out

The Stelvio's passionate personality is carried over inside the vehicle. A welcoming amalgam of textures and materials, a long list of interior colours to choose from and a Formula One-inspired steering wheel all contribute to a sportier and more inspiring environment that every driver at heart will love.

Contact us or come and see us for more information about the Stelvio.