Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The RDX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Stelvio.

The RDX Advance has a standard Surround-View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Stelvio only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The RDX has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Stelvio’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RDX has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Stelvio.

Both the RDX and the Stelvio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stelvio has not been tested, yet.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Stelvio. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Stelvio ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 88 percent more Acura dealers than there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 25 points higher than the Stelvio.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 26th in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 28th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 88 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 1 place higher in reliability than Alfa Romeo.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura RDX higher (6 out of 10) than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio (3). This means the RDX produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stelvio every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Stelvio.

The RDX stops much shorter than the Stelvio:

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Stelvio’s standard 60 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Stelvio’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Stelvio.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Stelvio doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Stelvio doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stelvio (104 vs. 97.6).

The RDX has 5 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 6.5 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Stelvio with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Stelvio with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 70% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

The RDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the RDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Stelvio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the RDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Stelvio’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RDX A-Spec/Advance keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Stelvio doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $1995 to $3715 less than the Stelvio over a five-year period.

The RDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RDX will retain 49.86% to 51.01% of its original price after five years, while the Stelvio only retains 44.42% to 45.21%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $4656 to $8015 less than for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Acura RDX, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.