Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 RX 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 RX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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 RX offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking 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 RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor 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 RX and Stelvio have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RX offers optional Parking Support Brake (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 RX and the Stelvio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 Lexus RX 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Stelvio. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Stelvio ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Stelvio’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 2 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RX’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the RX has a standard 603-amp battery. The Stelvio’s 525-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Lexus RX’s reliability 38 points higher than the Stelvio and the Lexus RX Hybrid is rated 39 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 Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 450h+’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 24 more horsepower (304 vs. 280) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 86 more horsepower (366 vs. 280) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 306) than the Stelvio’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Stelvio:

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Stelvio can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the RX 350h/500h/450+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Stelvio (17.8 vs. 16.9 gallons).

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

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Stelvio Sprint.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Stelvio (112.2 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Stelvio.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Stelvio’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350h has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Stelvio (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RX has 4.5 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 5.5 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio.

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

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the Stelvio with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 18.5 cubic feet).

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is limited to 3000 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the RX uses the Vehicle 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 96% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Stelvio has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The RX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Stelvio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’s standard Smart 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 RX’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Stelvio doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the RX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Stelvio’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Stelvio doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park 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.

The RX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RX will retain 58.33% to 60.37% of its original price after five years, while the Stelvio only retains 51.75% to 52.66%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus RX will be $1127 to $3654 less than for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among 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 in its category.

The Lexus RX outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by over 21 to one during 2023.