Volkswagen Touareg vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio
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.
Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Touareg starts from $86,790 before on-road costs, while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio opens at $82,950. That makes the Alfa Romeo Stelvio the more affordable entry point by $3,840.
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 $95,469 and $91,245 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the Volkswagen Touareg and Alfa Romeo Stelvio hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the Volkswagen Touareg and 97% for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Volkswagen Touareg.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Volkswagen Touareg and 6 in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Volkswagen Touareg adds a 360-degree camera that the Alfa Romeo Stelvio misses.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen, while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio gets a 8.8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Touareg stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless charging that you will not find on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio counters with Apple CarPlay, ventilated seats, Harman Kardon audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Touareg uses a Diesel producing 170kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio responds with a Petrol making 206kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Touareg measures 4,889mm long on a 2,894mm wheelbase, 203mm longer than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at 4,686mm (2,818mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 525L in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 285L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,814kg. That 1,686kg 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 12.0m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg and $2,138/year for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Touareg.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $2,138 (Alfa Romeo Stelvio). The Volkswagen Touareg saves you roughly $57 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Stelvio). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Volkswagen Touareg and Alfa Romeo Stelvio trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Volkswagen Touareg will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg 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, Volkswagen Touareg and Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the cheapest at $82,950 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Touareg by $3,840.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Touareg uses the least fuel at 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Touareg and Alfa Romeo Stelvio all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio makes the most power at 206kW. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is quickest to 100km/h in 5.7s.
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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