Compare the2024 BMW X3 MVS 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

The X3 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 X3 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 X3 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.

The X3 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 X3 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 BMW X3 M has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Alfa Romeo doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for 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 X3 M’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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. With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Alfa Romeo.

The X3 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 X3 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 X3 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 X3 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 X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio:

The X3 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 X3 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 track (width between the wheels) on the X3 M is 2.7 inches wider in the front than on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The X3 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s (52.9% to 47.1%). This gives the X3 M more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M Competition handles at .95 G’s, while the Stelvio Quadrifoglio pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (24.2 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X3 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X3 M has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (101.4 vs. 97.6).

The X3 M has .5 inches more front headroom, 3.7 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room and 4.5 inches more rear legroom than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3 M’s rear seats recline. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

The X3 M’s cargo area is larger than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s in almost every dimension:

The X3 M 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 Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the X3 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.

The X3 M’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Enter-n-Go standard on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The X3 M’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’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 X3 M to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X3 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 X3 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 X3 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 X3 M owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 M will cost $4345 less than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio over a five-year period.

The X3 M will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X3 M will retain 54.06% of its original price after five years, while the Stelvio Quadrifoglio only retains 52.24%.

The BMW X3 outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by almost 12 to one during 2023.