If you’re shopping for a luxury crossover, the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio may have caught your eye as magazines report on the Italian automaker’s re-entry into the U.S. market. The Stelvio appears to have it all – style, power, and features – but does this newcomer stack up to the competition?
When comparing the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio to the 2018 Lexus NX 300, you’ll want to take note of the features that come standard and those that cost extra. Options can boost the price well beyond an entry-level budget, so don’t let the base price mislead you.
See the differences in our one-to-one comparison, then visit us at our convenient El Monte location to get behind the wheel of an NX 300.
Safety and Tech
Lexus NX 300
The 2018 Lexus NX 300 now comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Intelligent High-Beam Headlamps.
Additionally, the Lexus crossover comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen Display Audio with Scout GPS Link navigation, MapStream, and TurnStream. The NX also features a Remote Touchpad, backup camera, Siri Eyes Free, Lexus Premium Sound System, dual-zone automatic climate control, and the Lexus Enform suite of apps, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote. The Navigation Package adds a Navigation System with Lexus Enform App Suite 2.0, 10.3-inch high-res split-screen, Destination Assist, Dynamic Navigation, 10-Speaker Premium Sound, electrochromic rearview mirror, and HomeLink universal transceiver.
Alpha Romeo Stelvio
It’s worth noting that the Stelvio does not come standard with any driver assistance technology, except for a backup camera and parking sensors. Its Driver Assistance Package (about $1,500 extra) includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beams, Forward Collision Warning with autonomous braking, and Lane Departure Warning.
Standard equipment on the Stelvio includes a 6.5-inch color display, 8-speaker audio, Start/Stop Technology, power tailgate, universal garage door opener, and dual-zone climate control. You can upgrade to a 6.5 or 8.8-inch widescreen color display (an extra $950), which seems small compared to the NX’s 10.3-inch navigation screen.
Performance
Lexus NX 300
Both the NX 300 and the Stelvio have a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. The Lexus crossover makes 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and comes available with all-wheel drive. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission and goes from zero to 60 in 7 seconds. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 24 MPG combined.
Alpha Romeo Stelvio
The Alfa Romeo’s base engine makes 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque, giving it just a slight edge in terms of pony power. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission and a zero-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds. Fuel economy is 24 MPG combined.
Now, the Italian automaker may have caught your eye with the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s specs – a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that churns out 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. What Alfa Romeo doesn’t make so obvious in its marketing materials is that the upgrade pushes the Stelvio’s price to about $90,000.
Pricing
Lexus NX 300
Starting at $34,985 MSRP
Alpha Romeo Stelvio
Starting at $41,995 MSRP
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