2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs 2026 Lexus RX
Comparison Overview
Prepare for a transatlantic showdown of crossover character! The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio explodes onto the scene with Italian flair, offering a punchier 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, all standard with all-wheel drive. Its tauter dimensions—184.6 inches long—suggest a nimble demeanor ready to attack corners. Conversely, the 2026 Lexus RX leans into refined utility, commanding a slightly higher MSRP of $49,725, though it achieves better fuel efficiency at 25 combined MPG. While the Lexus boasts superior hauling ability with 29.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the Stelvio's 18.5 cu ft, the Alfa fights back with a slight horsepower advantage. The Stelvio mandates premium fuel, while the RX recommends it, providing a subtle nod to the Lexus's broader accessibility for daily duty, despite its FWD orientation compared to the Alfa's standard AWD setup.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Lexus RX
The 2026 Lexus RX offers superior combined fuel economy at 25 MPG, making routine stops less frequent.
2026 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX dominates practicality with a substantial 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly eclipsing the Stelvio's 18.5 cu ft.
2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
With standard all-wheel drive and 280 hp, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio promises a more engaging, performance-oriented drive.
2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio undercuts its counterpart by nearly $800 while delivering more horsepower and standard AWD.
Choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if...
- Maximum driving excitement and Italian design pedigree are the top priorities.
- You prefer a slightly more compact vehicle footprint (184.6 inches long) for navigating tight spaces.
- Standard all-wheel drive is non-negotiable for daily driving confidence.
Choose the Lexus RX if...
- Hauling luggage, gear, or supplies is a regular requirement, leveraging 29.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- Achieving the best possible fuel economy (25 combined MPG) is important, even if it sacrifices peak horsepower.
- You desire the lowest long-term running cost as premium fuel is only recommended, not required.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Lexus RX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.6" | 192.5" |
| Width | 74.9" | 75.6" |
| Height | 66.0" | 67.3" |
| Wheelbase | 111.0" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 275 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 317 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 | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| 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. | 391.6/516.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.8 in | 9.8 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 8 | 12 |
| 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 |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 36.6 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.5 in. | 58.1 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 | Power |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 3 | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 6-way | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Front Hip Room | — | 56.7 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.9 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 31.9 in. | 37.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | ✓ | — |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 55.9 in. |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | 19 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | ✓ |
| Painted Alloy Wheels | — | ✓ |
| Polished Alloy Wheels | — | ✓ |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2026 Lexus RX.
How significant is the difference in power output between these two crossovers?
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio holds a slight edge, producing 280 horsepower compared to the 2026 Lexus RX's 275 horsepower. However, the Lexus counters with marginally more torque at 317 lb-ft versus the Alfa's 306 lb-ft.
Which vehicle offers more usable space for cargo?
The 2026 Lexus RX is significantly better equipped for hauling, offering a massive 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers only 18.5 cubic feet in comparison.
Does the base drivetrain setup favor performance or efficiency?
The Alfa Romeo mandates all-wheel drive, suggesting better traction in varied conditions from its standard setup. The Lexus RX defaults to front-wheel drive but achieves slightly better fuel economy at 25 combined MPG.
Are the size differences noticeable between these two models?
Yes, the 2026 Lexus RX is physically larger, measuring 192.5 inches long compared to the Stelvio's 184.6 inches. This length difference directly translates to the superior cargo capacity of the Lexus.
Is the premium fuel requirement a major cost differentiator?
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio requires premium unleaded, adding to operational costs. The 2026 Lexus RX only recommends premium, giving drivers the option to use regular fuel if preferred.
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