Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, 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 Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has standard Maneuver 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 Tiguan SEL R-Line has a standard Area 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 Tiguan and the Stelvio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

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 “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stelvio has not been tested, yet.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Stelvio’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen 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 5 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tiguan’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Stelvio’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Alfa Romeo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 5 places higher in reliability than Alfa Romeo.

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan gets better mileage than the Stelvio:

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio (5). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stelvio every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tiguan stops shorter than the Stelvio:

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Stelvio’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.5 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the Stelvio Sprint AWD (42 vs. 43 dB).

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Stelvio can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 26.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stelvio (123.9 vs. 97.6).

The Tiguan has 3.6 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 4.7 inches more rear legroom than the Stelvio.

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

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

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

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Stelvio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the Tiguan SEL Premium 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tiguan SEL R-Line 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 Tiguan SEL R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Stelvio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by almost 10 to one during the 2021 model year.