Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$41,041–$53,168
Fuel Economy19 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategorySUV
Est. Annual Fuel$2,763/yr
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio scores 6.9/10 at Carivo, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs, with 11 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,763/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.9/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Reliability at 5.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 5.3/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.7/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.8/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $41,041–$53,168, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.3/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio ranks #2137 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 13% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $41,041 starting price is about 14% above the segment's median of $36,079.
$0 — 11 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Stelvio Year Should You Buy?
Across the Stelvio model years we've scored, the 2018 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
Value-for-money is a weak point; comparable alternatives offer more for the price
Fuel economy at 19 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio (11 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system / Hoses/lines/piping/fittings 14/09/2018 · 18V635000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio vehicles. The engine cooling hose may have inadequate webbing material allowing a coolant leak.
Electrical system / Wiring 14/09/2018 · 18V636000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles, equipped with 2.0L engines. These engines may misfire causing the catalytic converter to overheat, possibly resulting in damage to the nearby…
Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 25/07/2019 · 19V551000
Alfa Romeo (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Giulia and Stelvio vehicles. The Body Control Module (BCM) may indicate an inaccurate fuel level that displays higher than the actual amount.
Forward collision avoidance / adaptive cruise control 01/03/2019 · 19V148000
FCA US LLC (Alfa Romeo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2017-2019 Giulia vehicles. The Brake System Module (BSM) software may prevent the driver from disabling the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) after the traction control system…
Service brakes, hydraulic 20/12/2017 · 17V823000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio vehicles. The braking system on these vehicles may have been filled with contaminated brake fluid, possibly damaging the system and affecting its performance.
Showing 5 of 11 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Own a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Is the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio reliable?
We rate the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio's reliability 5.3/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio have?
11 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio worth buying?
It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 13% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio cost?
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio starts at $41,041 and ranges up to $53,168 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Stelvio years should you avoid?
No standout weak years: across the 9 Stelvio model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.1/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
What problems does the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio have?
The documented issues for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Service brakes, hydraulic (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Alfa Romeo Stelvio
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More Alfa Romeo Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Alfa Romeo models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
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