2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$48,995 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between Italian flair and Japanese practicality often comes down to budget and size, especially when comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the 2026 Mazda CX-90. Buyers are faced with a hefty $10,195 starting MSRP difference, with the Stelvio launching at $48,995 while the CX-90 begins at a much lower $38,800. Interestingly, performance metrics are nearly identical; both crossovers deliver 280 horsepower, though the Mazda edges out the Alfa with 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Stelvio's 306 lb-ft. Fuel economy is practically a tie, both achieving 24 or 25 combined MPG, but the Alfa requires more expensive premium unleaded fuel. Size matters greatly: the Mazda is significantly longer at 200.8 inches versus the Alfa's 184.6 inches, yet the Stelvio offers slightly more cargo room at 18.5 cubic feet compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet. If image and agility are top priorities, the Alfa beckons; if sheer space and saving money are key, the Mazda makes a strong case.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda CX-90

The lower starting price of $38,800 makes the Mazda much easier on the wallet for daily driving expenses.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda is substantially longer at 200.8 inches and wider at 78.5 inches, suggesting more overall passenger space, despite having less noted cargo volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Alfa Romeo traditionally emphasizes superior handling dynamics, and the Stelvio is also slightly more fuel-efficient on the highway at 28 MPG versus the Mazda’s 28 MPG but with higher power output per gallon.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

Saving $10,195 at the starting gate while offering the same 280 horsepower makes the Mazda the clear value champion.

Choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if...

You prioritize a premium badge and European driving feel, despite the $10,195 higher entry cost.
You prefer the compact size (184.6 inches long) for easier urban parking and maneuverability.
You don't mind using required premium unleaded fuel to potentially unlock optimal performance.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Keeping the initial purchase price low, starting near $38,800, is your top financial concern.
You need the extra footprint, as the CX-90 is 16.2 inches longer than the Stelvio.
You value slightly higher torque output (332 lb-ft) and using regular unleaded gasoline.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Stelvio	Mazda CX-90
Length	184.6"	200.8"
Width	74.9"	78.5"
Height	66.0"	68.3"
Wheelbase	111.0"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5200 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/28 MPG	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	371.8/473.2 mi.	425.5/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.9 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
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	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	8
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	—
Memory Card Slot	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	36.6 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	59.2 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	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Front Hip Room	—	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	31.9 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	58.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	55.5 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Mazda
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.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

How much more cargo room does the Stelvio actually offer over the CX-90?

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio provides 18.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is 3.6 cubic feet more than the 14.9 cubic feet offered by the 2026 Mazda CX-90.

Do I save money on fuel type by choosing the Mazda?

Yes, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 runs on regular unleaded, whereas the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio strictly requires premium unleaded fuel.

Are the performance numbers significantly different between these two AWD crossovers?

No, both vehicles offer 280 horsepower from their respective powertrains. The Mazda has a slight edge in torque, delivering 332 lb-ft against the Alfa's 306 lb-ft.

How big is the actual difference in physical size?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is significantly larger, measuring 200.8 inches long and 78.5 inches wide, compared to the Stelvio’s 184.6-inch length and 74.9-inch width.

Is the 8-speed automatic transmission different in operation for these two cars?

Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, meaning the fundamental gearing structure is similar, though programming and feel will differ based on the brand's tuning philosophy.

How does the starting price gap affect the overall value proposition?

The $10,195 MSRP gap is massive, meaning you could significantly upgrade the trim level or add options to the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and still likely spend less than the base 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio.