2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Alfa Romeo's first-ever SUV model, provocatively named for a famous Italian alpine road, moves into its second model year for 2019, and brings with it a few changes to its lists of standard features and options.

Early reports suggested the Stelvio would gain a rear-wheel drive option, but we're not yet convinced that will come to Canada. We'll keep you updated if it does, but for now, what we know for sure is the Stelvio is now standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the high-po Quadrifoglio gains new brake calipers with the Alfa logo on them.

New stand-alone options include heated rear seats and an upgraded alarm system, both of which are available across the line, while a Nero Edizione (Black Edition) group brings dark wheels and exterior trim pieces to all trims. There is also a carbon fibre package on offer for the TI Sport and Quadrifoglio.

Like last year, the Stelvio comes in a choice of six trims: Base (Stelvio); Sport, Ti, Ti Sport, Ti Lusso and Quadrifoglio.

With this model, Alfa competes with cars like the Porsche Macan, Jaguar E-Pace and Volvo XC60, among seemingly countless others. Alfa's performance heritage (not to mention Italy's talent for building sport-oriented vehicles) puts the Stelvio at the sporty end of the spectrum in this category. And quite frankly, given the popularity of crossovers in North America, we're surprised Alfa didn't lead with the Stelvio, rather than the Giulia compact sedan.

Most Stelvio models use a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, but the Quadrifoglio alone gets a 2.9L turbo V6 good for 505 hp and 443 lb-ft and the potential for a 285-km/h top speed and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint. Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and most (if not all; see the top of this piece) come with AWD.

Base trim includes 18-inch wheels, leather seating, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, eight-speaker stereo, TFT driver information display, selectable drive modes, backup camera and passive keyless entry.

Ti trim adds 19-inch wheels, navigation, 8.8-inch widescreen infotainment display and genuine wood interior trim, and can be further optioned with sport, lusso and performance packages.

The Quadrifoglio gets seats done in leather and Alcantara and real carbon fibre interior accents.

Fuel consumption estimates are 10.8/8.3 L/100 km (city/highway) with the four-cylinder engine and 14.1/10.4 for the Quadrifoglio.