Compare the2023 BMW X6VS 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The X6’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Stelvio doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X6 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 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X6 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 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 X6 offers optional Active Park Distance Control 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X6. But it costs extra on the Stelvio.

The X6 offers an optional Surround View 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 X6 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 X6 weighs 848 to 1214 pounds more than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The X6’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Stelvio’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 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.

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 X6’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 X6’s reliability 12 points higher than the Stelvio.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Stelvio isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 X6’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (335 vs. 280) and 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X6 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 243 more horsepower (523 vs. 280) and 247 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X6 is faster than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio:

Regenerative brakes improve the X6’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X6 has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Stelvio (21.9 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X6’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 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio:

The X6 stops much shorter than the Stelvio:

For better traction, the X6 has larger standard tires than the Stelvio (275/45R20 vs. 235/60R18). The X6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stelvio (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The X6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Stelvio Sprint’s standard 60 series tires. The X6’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Stelvio’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Stelvio Sprint. The X6’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Stelvio.

The X6 M50i offers 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 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X6 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.

The X6 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the Stelvio (117.1 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X6 is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Stelvio.

The X6 M50i handles at .97 G’s, while the Stelvio Ti AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X6 M50i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Stelvio Ti AWD (24.1 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X6 Air Suspension has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio (9.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X6 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X6 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X6 has 3.8 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio.

The X6 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Stelvio with its rear seat up (27.4 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The X6 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Stelvio with its rear seat folded (59.6 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

The X6’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Stelvio’s (5952 vs. 3000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is only 3000 pounds. The X6 offers up to a 7200 lbs. towing capacity.

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, the X6 M50i has a 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 X6 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 X6 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X6 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stelvio doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X6 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’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X6 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.

The X6 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Stelvio.

The X6’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Stelvio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Stelvio isn’t in the top three.