When the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio was new it was slapped with an entry-level MSRP of $42,350. With a starting price of that nature, it fell within the wheelhouse of other luxury crossovers, like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and the Lexus RX. These days, though, the Stelvio’s value has changed considerably. Currently, it carries a used market value of around $20,000, with some sources stating it’s even lower. $20k for 280 horsepower, Italian flair and one of the best driving cars in its segment. What are you waiting for?
Of course, every silver lining has a cloud. According to sources such as iSeeCars, CarEdge, and Kelley Blue Book, the Stelvio’s rate of depreciation is quite high, and it happens much faster than, say, the Lexus RX. But why has its value dropped so much in the first place?
The $42,350 Stelvio Has Already Lost More Than Half Its Value
2019 Alfa Romeo StelvioAlfa Romeo
Five years ago, Alfa Romeo’s cheapest Stelvio was called the “Sprint” model. As with any base model, it came with just enough tech and kit to keep even the most modest Alfa Romeo buyers happy, but no more. Its original sticker price of $42,350, of course, didn’t include things like destination fees, taxes, or warranties. That means you could have easily spent over $45,000 before walking out of the showroom door.
As it currently stands, Kelley Blue Book reports the ’21 Stelvio Sprint’s average used market value to sit right around $18,350, meaning it’s lost roughly 57 percent of its original value, without factoring for inflation, in just five years. As for our own pricing trends source, the Stelvio’s used value sits at approximately $20,247. Sure, it’s a bit higher, but the model’s residual value is still far below 50%. So, when it comes to the original owners, they managed to lose roughly $22,000–$25,000 simply by owning a Stelvio for a short period of time.
2019 Alfa Romeo StelvioAlfa Romeo
According to an iSeeCars study on the model’s depreciation, its value has fallen 54.9 percent over the past five years. CarEdge reports the Stelvio’s value loss to be around 67 percent over five years. CarEdge also lists Alfa Romeo as the second-worst brand for value retention, ranking above only Maserati, with a brand-wide depreciation rate of 34.5%.
While no one source is going to be exactly accurate, the figures shown above clearly show that the Stelvio struggles to hold onto its money, even with proper care. That’s why, these days, a 2021 model costs roughly the same, or less, than a brand-new, base-spec Honda Civic LX, whose sticker sits right at $24,695.
If we look to Kelley Blue Book, even higher-spec Stelvio grades, such as the Ti and Ti Sport, come in at lower used prices than the new Civic LX, with values sitting at $19,850 and $21,800, respectively.
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But with depreciation that steep, something has to explain why the market is so eager to walk away – and the answer starts with what’s under the hood.
$18,000 Gets You 280 hp And A 5.4-Second 0-60 mph Time
2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce I4 engine shotBring a Trailer
Sure, it doesn’t hold its value well, but the Stelvio does pack a surprise under its hood. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine belonging to the Stellantis Global Medium Engine family. More specifically, the engine carries the code name “TBI-M” and comes standard with the brand’s MultiAir variable valve timing and lift technology. In addition to producing 280 horsepower, the Stelvio’s engine produces 306 pound-feet of torque.
Managing the MultiAir power plant’s output is an eight-speed automatic transmission. On base-spec Sprint grades, rear-wheel drive is the sole drivetrain layout, whereas all higher trims offer the choice of either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. While Alfa’s official 0-60 mph time claim was 5.5 seconds, Car and Driver tested an AWD 2.0-liter iteration and managed to complete a sprint in just 5.4 seconds. For comparison, a base-spec 2021 BMW X3 manages the 0-60 mph feat in six seconds flat.
2019 Alfa Romeo StelvioAlfa Romeo
The $18,000-or-so used value gets even more enticing when you see what else the Stelvio has to offer under the skin. For starters, it uses the same chassis as the Giulia sedan, which was engineered to be as engaging as possible for a mid-tier compact executive sedan. Because of this, most drivers who have driven a Stelvio end up praising its nimble, car-like handling characteristics. Car and Driver itself called it the “alpha dog” for driving engagement among its rivals. It’s even outfitted with Brembo brakes as standard kit across all grades.
According to senior automotive journalist Matt Maranowski, while most people don’t know it, the Stelvio is one of the best driving cars in its segment. “While its powertrain is pretty ordinary, the handling is anything but. It’s got the quickest steering rack in the segment, a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and the fantastic Giorgio platform to back it up,” he says.
“The first time you take a turn at speed, its agility and athleticism become apparent immediately. It’s for those who put driving dynamics above all else, including the interior.
“If more enthusiasts gave the Alfa a shot and took one for a test drive, Alfa’s sales would likely be much better. Especially these days, where screen overload in modern cars makes the Stelvio’s restrained and nicely integrated 8.8-inch screen seem like a breath of fresh air.” – Matt Maranowski, senior automotive journalist, CarBuzz
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As for the rest of the cheap Stelvio’s offerings, they extend into the cabin, too. The base Sprint grade cannot be considered “rental-car spec” by any stretch of the imagination. It is adequately appointed, with features like an 8.8-inch infotainment screen running Alfa’s UConnect software. That means programs like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Leather seats, adaptive headlights, and premium materials are also found in the base model.
But before you start searching listings, there’s a reason these cars are so cheap – and it has everything to do with what happens after the warranty expires.
The Factory Warranty Just Expired – And That’s Why These Are So Cheap
2019 Alfa Romeo StelvioAlfa Romeo
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is not exactly known for reliability in the same way as, say, the Lexus RX. In fact, it is known for having quite a few software and hardware problems. The matter gets worse once you learn that five-year-old Stelvios have just lost their factory basic warranties, which expired at four years or 50,000 miles, whichever came first.
Now that near-complete warranty protection is gone, the Stelvio’s reliability concerns have led the market to view these vehicles as risky financial decisions, driving demand down and supply up. The Italian SUV as a whole also incorporates complex systems, such as a turbocharged engine, a sophisticated suspension system, extensive electronics, and premium-specific parts that can be both hard to come by and expensive. On top of it all, premium fuel is required.
2019 Alfa Romeo StelvioAlfa Romeo
According to RepairPal.com, an Alfa Romeo carries an average annual maintenance cost of approximately $834, placing the brand as a whole $182 above the source’s all-brand average of $652 per year. Specific Alfa Romeo Stelvio annual maintenance cost estimates are not available from RepairPal, but it is reasonable to assume its average would be broadly similar to the brand’s overall figure.
It goes without saying that not every Alfa Romeo Stelvio will be an unreliable nightmare. Each used car is unique, and because it has a reputation for unreliability, finding things like a detailed maintenance history is of the utmost importance. For models such as the Stelvio, always make sure to learn about its history, have it inspected, and ensure you’ve got the budget to accommodate potential unforeseen repairs whenever they come up.
The Best Stelvio Bargain Is The One That Has Already Taken Its Depreciation Hit
2019 Alfa Romeo StelvioAlfa Romeo
Yes, the Stelvio is relatively cheap compared to some other members of its segment. However, there’s a bit more to it than what a blanket term can describe. For the bargain-minded shopper, the Stelvio Sprint, Ti, or Ti Sprint offer the best value for money. The performance-focused Quadrifoglio grade, with its 505-hp twin-turbo V6, is an exciting prospect, but those examples hold their value a bit better, and currently average about $33,050 on the used market.
In reality, the Stelvio Sprint already has what most buyers would likely need: a 280-hp engine and a moderately impressive 0-60 mph time. Its cabin is outfitted with enough equipment to feel genuinely premium, and it comes with the sort of standard technology that is typically optional in lower-market cars from the same era.
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Those who move into the Ti-grade range will gain additional features, such as 19-inch wheels, standard all-wheel drive, and heated seats, among other things. Those wanting to step up to the Ti Sport will find additional performance upgrades on top of the improved interior and wheels, including a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), a tuned suspension featuring stiffer springs and dampers, 20-inch alloy wheels, and paddle shifters.
Those who do their research and avoid inheriting someone else’s problems can find a great deal with the right Stelvio. You’re getting ample power, solid equipment, and well-proportioned looks for considerably less than a brand-new, entry-level Honda Civic LX. Sure, it probably is not the best financial decision, but what brand-new Civic LX could turn heads, carry Italian heritage, and reach 60 mph as quickly as the Stelvio can?
Sources: Stellantis, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal.com, CarEdge.com, iSeeCars.com.
