Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Both the X2 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, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X2 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 195 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Stelvio has not been tested, yet.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Stelvio’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 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 X2’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 X2’s reliability 20 points higher than the Stelvio.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small 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.

The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (301 vs. 280) and 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the X2 M35i is faster than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio:

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the Stelvio:

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2’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 X2 M35i’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio:

The X2 stops much shorter than the Stelvio:

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Stelvio Sprint’s standard 60 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the Stelvio.

The X2 xDrive28i handles at .91 G’s, while the Stelvio Sprint AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Stelvio Ti AWD (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X2’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Stelvio’s (37.2 feet vs. 38.5 feet).

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 400 pounds less than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

The X2 is 1 foot shorter than the Stelvio, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X2 xDrive28i is quieter than the Stelvio Sprint AWD:

The X2 has 3.7 inches more front legroom and 4.8 inches more rear legroom than the Stelvio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The Stelvio’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X2 has a much larger cargo volume than the Stelvio with its rear seat up (21.6 vs. 18.5 cubic feet).

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 X2 offers an optional 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 X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. 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.

The X2’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Stelvio’s xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

When the X2 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.

The X2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Stelvio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X2 will be $45 to $3915 less than for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X2, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn't recommended.