Compare the2023 BMW X5 MVS 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

The X5 M’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 M has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio 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 X5 M has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5 M has a standard Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio 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 X5 M and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The BMW X5 M weighs 1142 pounds more than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 151 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not been tested, yet.

The X5 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

There are almost 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5 M’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 17 places higher in reliability than Alfa Romeo.

The X5 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 95 more horsepower (600 vs. 505) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 443) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s 2.9 turbo V6. The X5 M Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 112 more horsepower (617 vs. 505) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 443) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s 2.9 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the X5 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 M has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (21.9 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5 M’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio:

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The X5 M’s optional 22-inch rear wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The X5 M has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The X5 M has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the X5 M uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 M offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Alfa Romeo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (117 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 5.7 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The X5 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s (52.9% to 47.1%). This gives the X5 M more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X5 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X5 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5 M Competition’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (8.4 vs. 7.9 inches).

The front grille of the X5 M uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 M has .6 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 5.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5 M’s rear seats recline. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

The X5 M’s cargo area is larger than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s in almost every dimension:

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 65% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the X5 M has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5 M has a standard 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 Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the X5 M 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 Quadrifoglio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 M to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X5 M is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X5 M keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The X5 M has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel isn’t available on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio w/Sparco Racing Seats.

The X5 M offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The X5 M’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW X5 outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by over five to one during the 2021 model year.