Compare the2022 Lexus RXVS 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The RX has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RX offers optional Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Stelvio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The RX’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 RX offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor 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 RX 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 RX 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 RX and the Stelvio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RX the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stelvio has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 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.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Stelvio’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 69 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RX’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 RX’s reliability 65 points higher than the Stelvio.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Stelvio isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 115 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. Alfa Romeo is ranked 29th.

The RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 15 more horsepower (295 vs. 280) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 28 more horsepower (308 vs. 280) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RX 450h 3.5 V6 Hybrid CVT AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Stelvio AWD (31 city/28 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the RX Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The RX’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Stelvio (19.2 vs. 16.9 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RX higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio (3). This means the RX produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stelvio every 15,000 miles.

The RX 450h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a CVT.

The RX stops shorter than the Stelvio:

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

The RX has 7.5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 6.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RX’s rear seats recline. The Stelvio’s rear seats don’t recline.

Maximum trailer towing in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is limited to 3000 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the RX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Stelvio doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 98% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

The RX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the RX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stelvio doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the RX 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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the RX 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.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus RX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn't recommended.

The Lexus RX outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by over 10 to one during the 2021 model year.