These days, when you think of a fast car, the Lamborghini or the McLaren comes to mind. But those speedsters come with a hefty price tag that few can afford. Those aren’t the only ones, though, that can make good time on the track. Some, like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, can hold their own when it comes to speed. 

U.S. News looked at some of the fastest vehicles and came up with a list of the fastest ones you can buy for under $50,000. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio found its way on their list, so let’s take a look at what it offers and whether or not it’s worth purchasing. 

What does the Alfa Romeo Stelvio offer?

The Italian-made SUV has a 280-hp four-cylinder turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A rear-wheel-drive platform comes standard, but you can choose an available all-wheel-drive version if you want. 

The Stelvio’s powertrain musters enough power to clock in an acceleration time of 5.4 seconds for a 0 to 60 mph run. It ties with the Honda Civic Type R, Buick Regal GS, and the Jaguar XE P300 R Dynamic S.

Built into the Stelvio is a lively suspension system that’s equipped to handle even the most challenging of roads. It can also absorb any imperfections the path’s surface may have. Standard features include the 8.8-inch infotainment display screen that supports some familiar apps, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You’ll also find safety features such as automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning as standard equipment on the Stelvio. 

The best part, aside from the speed, of course, is the price tag the Alfa Romeo Stelvio comes with. The starting base price is a suggested $41,400. That’s about $5,000 cheaper than the Jaguar XE P300. 

What does it get right, and where does it fail?

We’ve already mentioned the speed and the price tag, but there are a few more positives packaged with the Alfa Romeo. One of them is the larger number of standard features now found with this SUV, which includes things like leather upholstery, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. 

The list of available features also grows. You can now choose to add heated seats in the front and rear, 12-way and 14-way adjustable seats, heated steering wheel, carbon-fiber racing seats, and sport-themed steering wheels. 

Cargo space isn’t too large, but it’s competitive when you compare it to some others on the list. Interior space is a bit on the meager side, though. When you pay a pretty penny for a vehicle, you expect to get more for your money, and the interior doesn’t give you that luxe feel. 

It does, however, offer controls that are easy to use and not too complicated to figure out. But there’s not too much to play with, though. Rival vehicles offer a little more as far as tech equipment goes. 

Will the Alfa Romeo Stelvio be a worthwhile purchase?

With dreamy handling, smooth ride, and boisterous engines, this SUV will draw in a crowd of fans. But the lackluster interior materials and stiff seating may scare some of them away. The cargo space could also be a deal-breaker for others. 

When you compare it with similar SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3, you’ll find the Alfa Romeo Stelvio falls behind. The GLC and X3 have roomier interiors, plusher materials, and a well-balanced ride than the Alfa Romeo can muster. In fact, they both rank within the top five of the luxury compact SUV category. 

With that said, you won’t find them on the list of the fastest new cars that the U.S. News came up with. The 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio made it into the rankings though, even though they haven’t given it a score as of yet. 

All in all, if you’re more interested in an SUV that can put the pedal to the metal, so to speak, for less than a Porsche would cost, choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. If a lush interior with all the trimmings tops your list of must-haves for a roadster, you’ll need to look elsewhere. 

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has plenty of gusto, and it won’t disappoint in the speed department. The interior, however, is a bit disheartening, since you’d expect more for a higher-priced vehicle. Who knows, maybe you can overlook the lack of plush comforts and lose yourself in the swift ride.