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HomeComparisonsAlfa Romeo Stelvio vs Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Spec Battle Updated 20 April 2026 5 min read

Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.

Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.

SpecAlfa RomeoMercedes-Benz
Price (RRP)$85,990$199,900
Fuel typePetrolDiesel
Power206kW270kW
0-100 km/h5.7s6.1s
Fuel Economy7 L/100km7.8 L/100km
Boot Space525L355L
Towing1,814kg2,700kg
Warranty5yr / 150k km5yr / Unlimited
ANCAP SafetyNo dataNo data

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Price Breakdown

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio starts from $85,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class opens at $199,900. That makes the Alfa Romeo Stelvio the more affordable entry point by $113,910.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $94,589 and $219,890 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.

Safety Rundown

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

Feature Showdown

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio features a 8.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-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 that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof and Burmester 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 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class offers nappa leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

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 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class responds with a Petrol making 270kW and 750Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 206kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio measures 4,686mm long on a 2,818mm wheelbase, 529mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class at 5,215mm (3,135mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 525L in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 355L in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, giving the Alfa Romeo Stelvio a 170L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class leads with a 2,700kg braked capacity vs 1,814kg. That 886kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Turning Circle

Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.

11.8m to 12.5m

TightestAlfa Romeo Stelvio VeloceTightest turn at 11.8m, easiest U-turns and carparks
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce
11.8mTighter
Best
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 d 4MATIC
12.5m
Worst
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce
11.8m · Average

Based on 11.8m turning circle:

  • U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
  • Standard parking bay
  • Tight carparks
  • Narrow laneways
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 d 4MATIC
12.5m · Large

Based on 12.5m turning circle:

  • U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
  • Standard parking bay
  • Tight carparks
  • Narrow laneways

Turning circle ratings

Under 10m, Excellent
10 to 11m, Good
11 to 12m, Average
Over 12m, Large
Compare U-turns side by side

Turning Circle · U-turn compare

kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars
Tap to add/remove
TightestAlfa Romeo StelvioTightest turn at 11.8m, needs the least road to swing around
Alfa Romeo StelvioTightest11.8 m
Average△ 3-point
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class12.5 m
Large△ 3-point
Scrub the turn

0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep

Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.

Under 10 m · Excellent 10–11 m · Good 11–12 m · Average Over 12 m · Large

Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.

True Cost to Own

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,995/year for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and $2,223/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Estimated annual total: $1,995 (Alfa Romeo Stelvio) vs $2,223 (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class). The Alfa Romeo Stelvio saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Stelvio) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class). Both match on warranty length.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.

Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.

The Verdict

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.

Common questions

Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the cheapest at $85,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class by $113,910.

Which is the most fuel-efficient?

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio uses the least fuel at 7L/100km on the combined cycle.

What are the ANCAP safety ratings?

None of Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.

Which has the most boot space?

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the largest boot at 525L.

Which can tow the most?

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,700kg.

Which is the most powerful?

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class makes the most power at 270kW. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is quickest to 100km/h in 5.7s.

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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.

Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026

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