If you’re shopping for a compact SUV around the price of a Toyota Corolla Cross but want something with more character, there’s a used Italian option that deserves your attention. While many mainstream crossovers feel bland and predictable, this SUV brings a distinctive blend of style, presence, and driving personality, and you can often find one for roughly the same money.
What makes it compelling isn’t just exotic flair, but how complete the package feels at an attainable price point. Its bold design, premium interior materials, and engaging road manners set it apart from the sea of look-alike crossovers in its price range. Inside, you’ll find a thoughtfully laid-out cabin with upscale touches that rival vehicles costing thousands more. On the road, its confident handling and responsive powertrain give it a sense of character that many buyers crave but rarely find at this price.
For anyone tired of settling for the mundane, this Italian SUV proves you don’t have to overspend to get something with personality and substance. It’s a rare chance to step into a more engaging, stylish crossover without paying a luxury-brand premium, making it one of the most intriguing used options at Corolla Cross money.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, J.D. Power, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Edmunds.
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You can get a 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio for under $25,000
Instead of the regular dull options, get this luxury SUV instead
Credit: NetCarShow.com
Alfa Romeo is a brand that does not perform well when it comes to depreciation. Their vehicles generally take a pretty big dip in value in their first couple of years on the road. While this really sucks for someone who wants to buy one new, if you’re willing to shop slightly used, you can save yourself thousands of dollars. A three-year-old Stelvio has already depreciated to the point where it is worth about as much as a new Corolla Cross.
2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio average used price
Model
Average used price
Sprint
$24,908
Ti
$26,875
Veloce
$28,862
Lusso
$27,600
Estrema
$29,772
Back when new, a 2023 Stelvio would have cost anywhere between $48,170 and $60,920, depending on which trim level you opted for. That means that in three years on the market, the Alfa has lost about half its value on average. These first couple years are when depreciation hits the hardest, and while you shouldn’t expect your Stelvio to hold value after this point, the heaviest depreciation has been taken on by the first owner.
A new 2026 Corolla Cross costs between $24,935 and $29,860, depending on trim. The price of a used 2023 Stelvio mirrors this almost exactly.
Best value trim level
There really isn’t a bad deal when it comes to the available trim levels. We would, however, stay away from the Lusso. While it is does offer a good package, there aren’t all that many available on the used market.
We would opt for the Veloce model. This trim is the most popular choice, and for good reason. It adds some great features, including a premium sound system, leather upholstered sports seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a mechanical limited-slip rear differential.
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Cheaper than its rivals, but every bit as luxurious.
This Italian luxury SUV is stylish and packed with high-end features
Upscale environs and tons of practicality
The Stelvio is a compact SUV, and while it may not be quite as spacious as some of its rivals, it still offers more than a reasonable amount of practicality and versatility. However, the real appeal here is the Italian luxury on offer. The cabin is finely crafted and loaded with plush features.
2023 Stelvio interior comfort
For the segment, the Stelvio is on the smaller side. On the inside, there is enough room for adults in the front and back rows, though those relegated to the back may have a few complaints, especially if they’re on the taller side. Cargo space is equally tight, with only around 18 cubic feet available behind the second row. This is still on par with the practicality offered in cheaper SUVs, like the Corolla Cross.
In terms of styling, the Stelvio is fantastic. Fine materials are used throughout the cabin, and the sweeping lines of the dashboard are exceptionally appealing. It also comes with plenty of comfort features as standard, helping it stand out from the crowd. Things like leather uphosltery, a panoramic sunroof, and multi-zone climate control are all available.
Key infotainment and tech features
- 8.8-inch infotainment screen
- 7-inch digital gauge display
- Heads-up display (optional)
- Optional Harman/Kardon sound system (optional)
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
Alfa Romeo takes a slightly more traditional approach to screens than some other modern luxury cars. Rather than a curved dual-screen setup, the infotainment system and gauge display are built into the dashboard. Every model comes with a partially digital gauge display and the same sized infotainment screen. The infotainment system responds to touch controls as well as the rotary dial on the center console.
Things like built-in navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, of course, standard. On most models, a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system is available, which is something we’d look for when buying used. There are also a host of advanced driver assists available on most models, including adaptive cruise control.
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Alfa Romeo nails the performance-oriented character of the Stelvio
Quick off the line and impressively dynamic
Credit: NetCarShow.com
While people might be able to argue that there are more luxurious options or more tech-focused SUVs, no one can take away from Alfa Romeo that the Stelvio is one of the most enjoyable crossovers when it comes to driving dynamics. It features a perky powertrain under the hood, and it handles its weight better than its rivals. It is full of character and is constantly ready to entertain.
2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio performance
Base Trim Engine
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
280 hp
Base Trim Torque
306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Fuel Economy
22/29 MPG
Make
Alfa Romeo
Model
Stelvio
Segment
Compact Luxury SUV
Under the hood of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio sits a turbocharged inline-four which puts down quite a lot of power. It comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but higher trim levels get Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel drive system at no additional cost. A smooth traditional eight-speed transmission is standard across the board, offering the ability for you to row your own gears via steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
The Stelvio is full of soul. It gets up to speed quickly, with it reaching 60 miles per hour from a stand still in as little as 5.3 seconds. Put your foot down, and you’ll hear one of the most raucous exhaust notes produced by a modern four-cylinder. While we can talk about how precise and agile it is, we find that its best quality is its engagement. Steering feedback is fantastic and you really feel connected to the car, which is a rarity for an SUV.
Looking for more power?
If all of this sound nice, but you’re wanting something even sportier, then the Quadrifoglio might be the way to. It is quite a bit more expensive, with the average list price for the 2023 model sitting at around $55,000, but it is easily one of the most impressive sports crossovers out there.
Like the Giulia Quadrifoglio, it features a 505-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-6 under the hood. This engine is a masterpiece, with it essentially being a Ferrari-sourced engine with two cylinders removed. It rockets to 60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds and never feels like it runs out of steam.
