Compare the2022 Toyota HighlanderVS 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Highlander are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Highlander Limited/Platinum has standard Automated Braking 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 Highlander (except L/LE/XLE/XSE) offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera 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.

Both the Highlander and the Stelvio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stelvio has not been tested, yet.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Stelvio. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Stelvio ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Stelvio.

There are almost 9 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’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 Highlander’s reliability 60 points higher than the Stelvio.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander third among upper midsize 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 Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 47 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 Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

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

The Highlander’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 15 more horsepower (295 vs. 280) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Stelvio requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Stelvio (17.9 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Highlander higher (5 out of 10) than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio (3). This means the Highlander produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stelvio every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Highlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio:

The Highlander stops much shorter than the Stelvio:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Stelvio (112.2 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 1.8 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than on the Stelvio.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Stelvio’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.5 feet).

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Stelvio can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 43.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stelvio (141.3 vs. 97.6).

The Highlander has 1 inch more front headroom, 5.4 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 9.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The Stelvio’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Stelvio.

The Highlander’s cargo area is larger than the Stelvio’s in every dimension:

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Stelvio’s (5000 vs. 3000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander uses the Enhanced 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.

The Highlander Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, 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 Highlander 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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) 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 Highlander to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stelvio doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Highlander Limited/Platinum 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 Highlander Limited/Platinum 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® recommends the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by over 24 to one during the 2021 model year.