Compare the2023 BMW X4 MVS 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

The X4 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 X4 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X4 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 X4 M offers optional 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 X4 M offers an optional 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 X4 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 X4 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 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 X4 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 X4 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 443) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s 2.9 turbo V6. The X4 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 443) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s 2.9 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the X4 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 X4 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 X4 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio:

The X4 M stops shorter than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio:

The X4 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4 M’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (112.8 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 M is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The X4 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s (52.9% to 47.1%). This gives the X4 M more stable handling and braking.

The X4 M Competition handles at .97 G’s, while the Stelvio Quadrifoglio pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the X4 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X4 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X4 M has .1 inches more front headroom, 4.1 inches more front legroom and 3.6 inches more rear legroom than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X4 M’s rear seats recline. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s rear seats don’t recline.

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.

The X4 M offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer 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 X4 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 or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the X4 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 X4 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 X4 M’s optional 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.

Insurance will cost less for the X4 M owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X4 M will cost $720 less than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X4 M will be $3171 less than for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.