Having its roots traced back to Milan, Italy, in 1910, Alfa Romeo has long been synonymous with crafting stylish and sporty cars that have left an indelible mark on automotive history.

As a prominent name in the automotive industry and having been re-launched in North America not that long ago in 2008, Alfa Romeo continues to push the boundaries of performance and luxury with their latest offering, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV with its limited-edition Estrema trim.

Brand new for this model year, the new limited edition “Estrema” model (also offered on the Giulia performance sedan), is supposed to provide a winning combo of Veloce style and Quadrifoglio performance at a competitive (aka less expensive) price point.

If you don’t already know, Alfa’s 2023 Stelvio is a mid-sized SUV that is supposed to cater to driving enthusiasts and families alike. Combining Italian elegance with a relentless spirit, my Vulcano Black test vehicle certainly has a lot of curb appeal.

Let’s take a closer look!

What is it?

Alfa Romeo made its return to the North American market in 2008, but it was in 2016 when they truly demonstrated their commitment by introducing the Giulia sport sedan. This marked a turning point as they became more serious about selling cars on this continent.

The success of the Giulia was quickly followed by the Stelvio SUV, which became their best-selling model, capturing the hearts of customers with its Italian flair and high performance. Now, Alfa Romeo is taking the Stelvio to new heights with their latest offering – the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD.

Five years ago, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio arrived with a bang, making a significant impact on the small sporty luxury-minded crossover scene. Not only did it bring a much-welcomed splash of Italian style, but it also delivered the most power and highest performance seen in its class at the time with the Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

Fast forward to 2023, and buyers now have a new option to consider, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD.

Based on the Veloce trim, the limited edition Estrema takes things up a notch by incorporating some of the go-fast features found in the Quadrifoglio variant, all while being a more budget-friendly option. Among the notable additions are a class-exclusive carbon fibre driveshaft, adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential, both of which contribute to enhanced handling and traction, ensuring a thrilling driving experience.

These performance enhancements are seamlessly integrated into Alfa Romeo's “DNA” drive mode setup, which allows drivers to select from different driving modes like Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency. Alfa says that the DNA system has been tuned in collaboration with their Formula One team, showcasing Alfa Romeo's commitment to infusing their motorsport expertise into their road cars.

By offering the Estrema as a limited-edition variant with the performance upgrades, Alfa Romeo is hoping to win over customers with an opportunity to enjoy some of the exhilarating features found in the high-performance Quadrifoglio model at a more accessible price point, making it an enticing option for driving enthusiasts seeking a spirited ride without breaking the bank.

Exterior styling

There’s no doubt that the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s styling is unique, and the Estrema-trim’s standard carbon fibre accents on the grille and mirror caps add even more to its curb appeal. The gloss black window trim further adds to its menacing silhouette, particularly in black. To my eyes, this is one of the most charismatically styled vehicles in its class.

The 20-inch bright five-hole forged aluminum wheels do a good job of showcasing the standard anodized brake calipers with white Alfa Romeo script.

Interior comfort and technology

There’s plenty of carbon fibre inside as well, on the door panels, console, dashboard, alongside with wonderful leather-trimmed sport seats with stitching in the same red colour thread that’s found on the dash.

I particularly liked the bright accents, physical rotary knobs, and the flat-bottom Formula One-inspired steering wheel. The large aluminum paddle shifters were also a big hit in my book, adding to the sporty ambience of the Estrema.

It’s amazing what some trim pieces, materials, and colours can do to update new life into a cabin that was starting to look somewhat dated compared to the newest rivals on the marketplace, including the brand new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC, the refreshed 2023 Porsche Macan, and even the 2023 Genesis GV70.

What new trim pieces and nice stitching can’t hide is that the Stelvio’s rear seat and cargo area, at 18.5 cu.ft, is tighter than its competitors. The rear seat is a bit cramped and the cargo area is limited with the BMW X3 offering 10 cu.ft more space behind the rear seats. At least its overall max capacity of 56.5 c.ft is more competitive.

On the tech front, the 8.8-inch infotainment system is starting to look outdated compared to the much larger screens from its competitors. While I appreciated the improved layout, expanded navigation view, and other driver-configurable interactive widgets, I found the interface rather frustrating to navigate, especially in contrast to Stellantis’ excellent Uconnect 5 system.

Ride and Handling

Happily, driving dynamics is where the impressively agile Stelvio shines with its near perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

Under the hood is a 280 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder paired with a snappy eight-speed transmission. Alfa says that shifts can be done in less than 100 milliseconds, helping to accomplish 0-100 km/hr runs of about 5.5 seconds.

Whether taking tight corners or cruising on the highway, the Estrema demonstrates exceptional composure and poise, instilling confidence in the driver. The Q4 all-wheel-drive system provides plenty of grip regardless of the road surface. It should be noted that while the Stelvio Estrema’s brakes are by Brembo, they’re not Quadrifoglio spec.

The Alfa DNA Pro drive mode selector enables the driver to tailor the vehicle's dynamics to their preferences, with options like Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency modes.

In the Dynamic mode, the Estrema's exhaust note becomes more pronounced, and the suspension stiffens for an engaging and spirited drive. In contrast, the Advanced Efficiency mode optimizes fuel efficiency, making it suitable for relaxed long-distance journeys.

With the DNA selector in Dynamic mode, the Stelvio feels more like a sport sedan with very little body roll and just the perfect amount of feel (for a crossover) through the steering wheel. It’s a great crossover for twisty roads, such as on the Sea-to-Sky highway enroute to Whistler, British Columbia.

Final Thoughts

The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema SUV is a testament to the brand's dedication to performance and style. Though it may not be the most practical SUV in its class, it compensates somewhat with its passionate Italian spirit and unmistakable Alfa Romeo charm.

For driving enthusiasts who crave both power and luxury, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema is an enticing proposition.