2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$48,995 · Crossover

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio shouts Italian passion, delivering 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque from its premium engine, beckoning drivers who prioritize visceral engagement. It’s a performance-focused crossover commanding an MSRP of $48,995. Contrast this thrilling intensity with the pragmatic, rugged spirit of the 2026 Subaru Outback, which enters the ring with a more sensible 180 hp and a lower entry price point of $34,995—a significant $14,000 separation. While the Stelvio demands premium unleaded, the Outback sips regular fuel, achieving better efficiency with 31 MPG highway versus the Alfa’s 28 MPG highway. Performance junkies will gravitate to the Stelvio’s 100 hp advantage, but families will appreciate the Outback’s generous 34.6 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfing the Stelvio's 18.5 cu ft capacity.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Outback

Its lower MSRP of $34,995 and superior fuel economy figures (31 MPG highway) make daily driving significantly easier on the wallet.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback offers nearly double the storage with 34.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Stelvio's 18.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

With 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque, the Stelvio promises a far more spirited and emotionally charged drive than the 180 hp Outback.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Outback

Saving $14,000 upfront while still delivering standard all-wheel drive and excellent fuel efficiency provides exceptional baseline value.

Choose the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if...

Driving excitement and Italian design flair are non-negotiable priorities for your crossover.
You are willing to pay $48,995 and use premium fuel for higher performance figures (280 hp).
You prefer a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

Maximizing utility, including 34.6 cu ft of cargo space, is essential for your lifestyle.
Adhering to a strict budget is key, leveraging the $34,995 starting MSRP.
You prioritize efficiency, needing 25 MPG city on regular unleaded fuel.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Stelvio	Subaru Outback
Length	184.6"	191.7"
Width	74.9"	74.0"
Height	66.0"	67.5"
Wheelbase	111.0"	108.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
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	—	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5200 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/28 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	371.8/473.2 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.9 gal.	18.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	12.1 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	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	36.6 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	57.9 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	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	55.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	31.9 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	57.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	55.1 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	18 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	225/60R H
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
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 Subaru Outback.

How significant is the performance difference between the two crossovers?

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio packs a robust 280 horsepower, giving it a substantial 100 hp advantage over the 2026 Subaru Outback's 180 horsepower rating. This difference will translate directly into much quicker acceleration and a more engaging driving feel behind the wheel of the Alfa.

What is the cost justification for the Stelvio's higher price?

The 2025 Stelvio commands an MSRP of $48,995, making it $14,000 more expensive than the $34,995 Outback. This price reflects Alfa Romeo's focus on premium performance engineering and distinct European styling, rather than pure utility metrics.

Which vehicle is better suited for long highway road trips based on fuel?

The 2026 Subaru Outback is better for minimizing fuel stops and cost, as it achieves 31 MPG highway running on regular unleaded fuel. The Stelvio requires premium fuel and achieves a slightly lower 28 MPG highway.

How do their overall dimensions impact parking and maneuverability?

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is physically smaller, measuring 184.6 inches in length, which might make it slightly easier to navigate tight city spots than the longer 191.7-inch 2026 Subaru Outback.

Are the transmission types similar between these two AWD vehicles?

No, they utilize fundamentally different setups; the Stelvio features a performance-oriented 8-speed shiftable automatic, whereas the Outback uses a Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic (CVT) transmission tuned for efficiency.