Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs Lexus NX

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Alfa Romeo Stelvio a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio features a 8.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus NX gets a 9.8-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio stands out with Apple CarPlay, ventilated seats and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus NX. The Lexus NX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats and Mark Levinson audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Alfa Romeo Stelvio gets leather upholstery while the Lexus NX offers synthetic leather.

Drivetrain

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds.

The Lexus NX responds with a Hybrid making 179kW and 239Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 179kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio measures 4,687mm long on a 2,818mm wheelbase, 27mm longer than the Lexus NX at 4,660mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 499L in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 520L in the Lexus NX, giving the Lexus NX a 21L advantage.

For towing, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio leads with a 2,300kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Lexus NX's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 11.4 m against 11.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio costs about $1,995 a year (7 L/100km) and fuel for the Lexus NX about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $570 a year less for the Lexus NX.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Alfa Romeo Stelvio) and 5 years / Unlimited (Lexus NX). Capped-price servicing: no data (Alfa Romeo Stelvio), 4 years (Lexus NX).

Where each one leads

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio: more power (206kW against 179kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,300kg against 1,500kg).

The Lexus NX: the lower starting price ($71,700 against $85,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 499L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $1,995).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 68

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Lexus NX ahead by 29 points), performance (Alfa Romeo Stelvio ahead by 19 points), fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 18 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus NX costs about $570 less (5 L/100km against 7 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions