2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs 2025 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
Trying to decide between Italian flair and American utility in the compact SUV world? It boils down to budget versus badge appeal. The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio starts at a steep $48,995, compared to the significantly more accessible $40,050 MSRP of the 2025 Ford Explorer—a difference of $8,945 right off the lot. While the Stelvio offers standard All-Wheel Drive, the Explorer packs a stronger base engine, boasting 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque versus the Alfa's 280 hp and 306 lb-ft. Both manage an identical 24 MPG combined, though the Explorer benefits from running on regular unleaded, unlike the Stelvio which requires premium. Size-wise, the Explorer is noticeably larger in every dimension, being over 14 inches longer (198.8 vs 184.6 inches), yet surprisingly, its maximum cargo capacity of 18.2 cu ft is negligibly smaller than the Stelvio's 18.5 cu ft.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Explorer
The lower initial purchase price and ability to use regular unleaded fuel make the Explorer cheaper to own daily.
2025 Ford Explorer
Its substantially larger exterior dimensions (198.8 inches long) suggest greater interior passenger and storage room for hauling families.
2025 Ford Explorer
Despite the Alfa's handling reputation, the Explorer’s base engine offers higher horsepower (300 hp) and torque (310 lb-ft).
2025 Ford Explorer
Saving nearly $9,000 upfront while still getting higher base power output secures the value crown for the Explorer.
Choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if...
- You prioritize a more premium, performance-oriented badge and style above strict budget concerns.
- Standard All-Wheel Drive capability straight from the base model is mandatory for your driving conditions.
- You prefer a slightly tighter exterior footprint (184.6 inches long) for easier city parking.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Saving $8,945 on the initial purchase price is a top priority for your household budget.
- You require the highest possible base horsepower and torque figures available (300 hp/310 lb-ft).
- You prefer using readily available regular unleaded gasoline instead of premium fuel.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.6" | 198.8" |
| Width | 74.9" | 78.9" |
| Height | 66.0" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 111.0" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Washers | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 5200 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Single overhead cam (SOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/28 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 371.8/473.2 mi. | 358.0/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.8 in | — |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 8 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 6 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 36.6 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.5 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 3 | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Front Hip Room | — | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.9 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 31.9 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | ✓ | — |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 59.1 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | P255/65R18 |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2025 Ford Explorer.
How big is the actual difference in size between these two crossovers?
The 2025 Ford Explorer is considerably larger, measuring 198.8 inches long compared to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio's 184.6 inches. This extra length in the Explorer translates to a wider stance as well (78.9 inches vs. 74.9 inches).
Since both get 24 MPG combined, is the fuel cost truly different?
Yes, potentially significantly, because the Alfa Romeo Stelvio requires premium unleaded fuel. The Ford Explorer is capable of running on regular unleaded, which typically costs less per gallon.
Does the price difference translate to a significant cargo space advantage?
Not really; the Stelvio offers 18.5 cu ft of cargo capacity while the much larger Explorer provides 18.2 cu ft. The physical dimensions don't reflect a large utilitarian benefit here based on the provided data.
Which vehicle offers more immediate power from the standard setup?
The 2025 Ford Explorer leads in base output, producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Stelvio trails slightly with 280 hp and 306 lb-ft.
Why is the Stelvio so much more expensive if the fuel economy is the same?
That $8,945 difference reflects the cost associated with the Alfa Romeo brand, its specific engineering tuning, and the standard inclusion of All-Wheel Drive in the Stelvio.
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