Compare the2024 BMW X5VS 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X5’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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the X5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The X5 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 X5 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 X5 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Stelvio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5 has a standard 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 X5 and Stelvio have rear cross-traffic warning, but the X5 has Cross Traffic Warning with Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Stelvio’s Rear Cross-Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the X5 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The BMW X5 weighs 912 to 1672 pounds more than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The BMW X5 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Stelvio has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 X5’s warranty.

Reliability

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 BMW X5 xDrive50e’s reliability 23 points higher than the Stelvio and the BMW X5 is rated 52 points higher than the Stelvio.

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.

Engine

The X5 s/xDrive40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 95 more horsepower (375 vs. 280) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5 xDrive50e’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 203 more horsepower (483 vs. 280) and 210 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5 M60i xDrive’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid 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 Car and Driver the X5 M60i xDrive 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio:

	X5	Stelvio
Zero to 60 MPH	3.6 sec	5.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	9.2 sec	14.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.7 sec	6.5 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	2.9 sec	4.2 sec
Quarter Mile	12.1 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113 MPH	98 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The X550e xDrive can travel with zero emissions for 40 miles. The Stelvio can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

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

Transmission

The X5’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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	X5	X5 M Sport	Stelvio
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	12.5 inches

The X5 stops much shorter than the Stelvio:

	X5	Stelvio
70 to 0 MPH	157 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Stelvio (265/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stelvio (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The X5’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. The X5’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 X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Stelvio Sprint. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Stelvio.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 M60i 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 X5 M60i xDrive 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 X5 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 X5’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 X5 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Stelvio.

The X5 M60i xDrive handles at .86 G’s, while the Stelvio Sprint AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the X5 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.

Passenger Space

The X5 has .5 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.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

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

	X5	Stelvio
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40.7”/70”	39.4”/72.5”
Max Width	49”	46.5”
Min Width	44”	36.7”
Height	31.5”	28”

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

Towing

The X5’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 X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stabilization Control on the X5 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Stelvio doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Stelvio, the X5 M60i 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 X5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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 X5 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.

The X5’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Enter-n-Go standard on the Stelvio doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The X5’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.

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

When the X5 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 X5 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 X5 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 X5’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Stelvio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn't recommended.

The BMW X5 outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by almost 14 to one during 2023.