La famiglia will come to know that the Stelvio Veloce is NOT just simply a soccer-mom SUV.

What's the best antidote to two weeks of Home Improvement Program-induced dust, noise and disruption? Why, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce of course!

Before anyone clicks away thinking that this writer has finally gone stark raving barmy, hear me out. We'd already endured eight working days of hacking, drilling, cementing, tiling, plumbing et al at home by the time the Stelvio Veloce was ready for collection.

At the last minute, we were informed about some bathroom fittings that we had to buy ourselves. This is where this Italian performance sports utility vehicle (SUV) came into its own, making round-island runs effortlessly to pick up the remaining stuff.

And being highly entertaining to drive while doing it, dissipating the fortnight-long doldrums in the process. More on that later.

Just like the Giulia Veloce reviewed earlier this year, Stelvio Veloce sits in a league of its own. At its price point, no other SUV comes close performance-wise. Not to mention emotion-wise.

Esterno

The one major difference between this facelift and the previous version can be found in the headlights. Bi-xenon projectors have finally been eschewed in favour of more modern full LED matrix 'trilobe' items with sequential turn signals illuminating each lobe until all three are lit.

Everyone knows that telephone-dial rims are de riguer for Alfa Romeo, and 20-inch items wrapped in 255/45R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres make their appearance here.

So do red four-piston Brembo callipers in the front and single-piston sliding callipers in the rear. Contrasting nicely with the test vehicle's Alfa White paintwork and red racing stripe, there's no mistaking this SUV for anything else other than an Alfa Romeo.

The rear end blends SUV practicality with coupe-like rakishness in the windscreen. Distinct perimeter-lit LED taillights add to the flair and dramatics, and twin tailpipes in the lower valence tell everyone that Stelvio Veloce means performance. As does the Q4 badge. More on that later.

Interno

Stand nearly centred with the rear end and sweep your right leg underneath the bumper from left to right. The tailgate opens electrically to reveal a cavernous 1,600-litres of cargo capacity with the 40:20:40 split-folding seatbacks completely down.

With them up, boot space is still a decent 525-litres, more than enough for soccer-mom duties when the occasion calls for it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - very few brands can pull off a red leather interior without coming across as vulgar, and Alfa Romeo is high up on that shortlist.

There's sufficient legroom, headroom and shoulder space in the rear for two full-size adults, although three can sit abreast in a pinch. Two pairs of ISOFIX anchor points are available for child seats.

A couple of aircon vents keep rear occupants cool, and two USB power outlets are fitted to keep their mobile devices charged up and ready to go.

I wish Stelvio Veloce came with a panoramic sunroof. Due to the black headlining, the sunroof would have gone a long way toward lifting interior airiness. However, it can be optionally specified if so desired.

Sporty front seats tell a tale of performance even before one gets in. Electrical adjustments are available, including three memory settings for the driver's seat. They're supremely ergonomic, and while firm, never get uncomfortable.

Once adjusted to one's preference, the perfectly-sized leather-wrapped steering wheel, adjustable for reach and rake, falls naturally to hand. That the column-mounted shift paddles are substantial speaks further to Stelvio Veloce's performance bias.

The other major change that this facelift brings is the 12.3-inch full-TFT screen, which Alfa Romeo calls ‘Cannocchiale‘ or ‘telescope’, probably because the instrument cluster surrounds resemble a public-viewing telescope situated at the top of very tall skyscrapers.

I'd argue that the instrument cluster surround is designed to resemble feminine curves of the upper torso region, but we'll let the cheekiness slide since this is an Alfa Romeo after all.

Where the analogue cluster of old will be sadly missed, this digital screen goes a step beyond in offering three customisable gauges named Relax, Evolve and Heritage respectively.

Heritage harks back to the Alfa Romeos of yore, and Relax is minimalist and will appeal to some. I found myself using Evolve more frequently for it is my favourite theme.

If tech is your thing, then the Alfa Romeo will disappoint. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available in the 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can also display performance gauges.

This is perfect for folks like me who prefer technology to be in the background and unintrusive. However, I wish the screen could have been of a higher resolution.

No matter though, for Waze directional instructions are mirrored on the instrument screen.

Dual-zone climate controls are adjusted by physical knobs and buttons (HOORAY!!!) and two cupholders and a USB charging port and a 12-volt outlet feature below said controls.

Drive modes are selected by the 'DNA' knob to the right of the gear lever, and 'dynamic', 'natural' and 'all weather' modes either slacken off throttle response and sharpen up stability control in descending order, or vice-versa in ascending order.

Here again, I wish Stelvio Veloce came with adaptive dampers, for the 'DNA' knob would control the dampers too, along with a dedicated button in the centre of the knob. Alas, this is an optional extra.

There are also no auto-hold brakes available, which is a curious omission by parent company Stellantis since its functionality is directly controlled by the ABS module, which would simply need to be programmed to hold line pressure when one's foot comes off the brakes at a standstill.

The USB ports for connectivity are ensconced in the centre cubby, along with the wireless charge pad.

Hoonigan McTwatopotamus

There's no getting away from the fact that Stelvio Veloce is firmly damped, and the lack of adaptive dampers means a rather busy ride, especially for a family-friendly SUV, at street speeds.

Get it up on the highway though, and the firm damping starts to make complete sense, smoothing out at higher speeds and keeping this nearly 1.8-ton vehicle planted on a firm footing.

Truth be told, Stelvio Veloce encourages one to drive like a hoonigan twatopotamus from Twats "R" Us in a spirited manner.

That's not to say it can't cruise, for it can indeed. However, it constantly eggs you on with a "c'mon, c'mon, c'mon... MOVE IT!!!" vibe and you soon find yourself looming down upon vehicles up ahead. Watch as they hurriedly get out of the way.

Which then brings us on to how it negotiates the twisty stuff. Where Giulia Veloce is undoubtedly a svelte ballerina, Stelvio Veloce can be described as cruisin' for a bruisin'.

Don't get me wrong. It can still groove in the same way that John Travolta can groove up a Saturday Night Fever. Twists and turns make this performance-biased SUV really shine.

Due to its rear-biased all-wheel drive setup, power is only sent to the front wheels when needed. This means a decidedly more sporty handling SUV from the word 'go.'

Set the 'DNA' selector to 'dynamic.' Then, knock the eight-speed automatic gearbox into manual mode and use the delectable column-mounted paddle shifters to select the appropriate gear for the corner.

Brake in a straight line, come off the brakes and with neutral to slight-positive pressure on the accelerator while negotiating bends and corners, and Stelvio Veloce will dance right through them.

The limited-slip differential (LSD) in the rear (hence the Q4 badge) helps the rear end rotate and assist the nose to point in the intended direction of travel. So does the quick steering rack at around two turns lock-to-lock, and you have yourself one darty SUV.

Use these to your advantage, and Stelvio Veloce will enthral you to no end. Be warned though. If you ham-fistedly throw it into a corner, it will understeer. Slower in, faster out. That's the mantra to recite.

On a straightaway, bury the accelerator into the floor and the turbocharged two-litre 280hp engine will howl as it swings toward its 5,500rpm crescendo, only for the next cog to be selected and for it to howl all over again. Electrifying!

Should You Buy One?

It does decently on fuel economy as well. Where Alfa Romeo quotes 9.1-litres/100km or 11.0km/litre combined efficiency, I was able to clock a weighted and normalised average efficiency of 7.72-litres/100km or 13.0km/litre, meaning 700-800+km of range is possible from its 64-litre petrol tank.

Interestingly, the street efficiency is exactly the same as the Giulia Veloce's. Naturally, fuel economy is dependent on driving style, traffic conditions and use case, but the key, as usual, is to drive smoothly, not slowly.

So, what about niggles?

It doesn't have auto-hold brakes, which would have been a Godsend at traffic lights. A sunroof would have been nice to lift the interior's airiness. Adaptive dampers would have made the ride more compliant in street situations.

The infotainment screen is a little small but navigation directions are at least mirrored in the instrument cluster. The reverse camera's image could have been higher in resolution.

It wouldn't be an Alfa Romeo without niggles, would it? Just like that gorgeous gal who can really get on your nerves sometimes, but blows your brain at all others.

In the latter respect, it has pretty good space and pace. It looks unique and stands out in a sea of humdrum SUVs, and drives and corners beautifully. It enthrals to no end and definitely awakens one's soul. And most of all, it is a true Alfa Romeo.

Tired of living like a drone because family life means trading in fun for mere practicality? Not with the Stelvio Veloce, it doesn't. Head down to the Alfa Romeo showroom, take a test drive and rekindle the inner flame of your once-dormant but now-active cuore sportivo or sporting heart. Why?

Because the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is a performance SUV with oodles of Cuore Sportivo.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Check out our Stelvio Veloce TikTok video here.

Technical Specifications

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce
Engine Capacity: 1,995cc inline four-cylinder turbocharged
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Drive: rear-biased, all wheels
Transmission: eight-speed automatic with rear limited-slip differential
0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 230km/h (claimed)
Kerb Weight: 1,755kg
Fuel Capacity: 64-litres
Range: up to 703km (claimed)
Fuel Economy: 9.1-litres/100km or 11.0km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$299,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Alfa Romeo Singapore