2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
Driving pleasure takes center stage with the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, an Italian sculpture brimming with 280 horsepower, demanding premium fuel for its spirited all-wheel-drive experience. Contrast this passion with the pragmatic reliability of the 2025 Toyota Highlander, a slightly larger machine (194.9 inches long) built for broad appeal, offering 265 horsepower from its regular unleaded powertrain. While the Stelvio boasts a robust 306 lb-ft of torque, the Highlander edges it out marginally on efficiency, achieving 25 combined MPG compared to the Alfa's 24. The most substantial chasm between these crossovers is the $8,675 price difference, making the Highlander significantly more attainable at $40,320 versus the Stelvio's $48,995 entry point. For sheer utility, the Stelvio provides slightly more usable space with 18.5 cu ft of cargo room, versus the Highlander’s 16 cu ft, but the Toyota's FWD setup prioritizes efficiency over spirited handling.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
Toyota Highlander
The lower $40,320 MSRP and slightly better 29 MPG highway rating make the Highlander a more sensible daily choice.
Toyota Highlander
The Highlander is dimensionally larger overall and offers more practicality for hauling people and gear, despite having slightly less maximum cargo space than the Alfa.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
With 280 horsepower channeled through standard all-wheel drive and an inherent reputation for sharp Italian dynamics, the Stelvio promises a more exhilarating drive.
Toyota Highlander
Saving $8,675 while still delivering 265 horsepower and excellent efficiency positions the Highlander as the superior financial proposition.
Choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if...
- Uncompromising driving engagement is the absolute top priority, despite the required premium fuel.
- Standard all-wheel drive capability in all driving conditions is a necessity.
- Desiring a sophisticated, smaller crossover footprint (184.6 inches long) with Italian flair.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- Strictly adhering to a budget is crucial, given the $8,675 price advantage.
- Regular unleaded fuel economy and overall efficiency (25 combined MPG) are paramount.
- Needing a vehicle optimized for straight-line predictability via front-wheel drive configuration.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.6" | 194.9" |
| Width | 74.9" | 76.0" |
| Height | 66.0" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 111.0" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 5200 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/28 MPG | 22/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 371.8/473.2 mi. | 393.8/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.8 in | 8.0 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 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 36.6 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.5 in. | 59.0 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 | — | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.9 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 31.9 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | ✓ | — |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 57.0 in. |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | P235/65R V |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2025 Toyota Highlander.
How significant is the power difference between the two crossovers?
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio holds a clear advantage in output, delivering 280 horsepower compared to the 2025 Toyota Highlander's 265 horsepower, though the Toyota compensates with slightly more torque (310 lb-ft vs. 306 lb-ft).
Do these crossovers require different fuel types?
Yes, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio mandates premium unleaded fuel to achieve its stated performance figures, whereas the Toyota Highlander operates perfectly fine on regular unleaded gasoline.
Which crossover is physically larger?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is the larger vehicle across nearly every dimension, being significantly longer at 194.9 inches compared to the Stelvio's 184.6 inches, and it is also wider and taller.
Is the Stelvio's extra cost justified by better utility?
Not definitively by cargo capacity; the Stelvio offers 18.5 cu ft versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft, but the Highlander's lower $40,320 MSRP drastically changes the value proposition for utility.
Does the drivetrain configuration differ substantially?
Absolutely; the Alfa Romeo Stelvio comes standard with performance-oriented all-wheel drive, while the base 2025 Toyota Highlander utilizes a front-wheel drive setup.
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