2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs Mercedes-Benz GLC: Which SUV Feels Right?
Looking for a luxury SUV? Two strong names are the 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC. Both look nice and come packed with features. But once you look a bit closer, one of them feels more exciting. Let’s talk about how they both drive, feel inside, and work in everyday life — especially here in Ottawa.
The 2025 Stelvio comes with a turbo 2.0-litre engine that makes 280 horsepower. It feels light, fast, and fun. You’ll get to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The Mercedes GLC also has a 2.0-litre engine, but it only makes 255 horsepower. It uses mild-hybrid help, but it still feels slower. The Stelvio also has a carbon-fibre driveshaft, which keeps it light and well balanced. The 8-speed automatic shifts quickly and smoothly. Driving it feels easy, even in traffic. The GLC, on the other hand, feels a bit more serious and less playful on the road.
The Stelvio looks bold and sporty. Its curves, front grille, and details make it stand out. The new Tributo Italiano trim adds red brake calipers, dark wheels, and a cool finish. It feels special. The GLC looks fine. But it blends in more. It has a smooth shape and nice lines. But it doesn’t stand out in a parking lot. In a city like Ottawa, where winters are long and grey, it’s nice to have a car that pops a little more.
Inside the Stelvio, you’ll find leather seats, simple buttons, and a clean layout. It’s easy to use. The touchscreen is just the right size. There’s no need to dig through menus just to adjust the fan. The GLC uses more screens and has more menus. Some people love that. But for many, it feels too busy. The Stelvio keeps things simple and natural. The Harman/Kardon sound system in the Tributo Italiano trim sounds great too.
Every Stelvio comes with safety features like blind spot alerts, cruise control with stop, and forward braking help. The higher trims add more features, like lane keeping and driver attention monitoring. You don’t need to go high in the trims to feel safe. The GLC has good crash scores, but many of its best safety tools only come in higher trims. So, to get the same safety feel, you’ll likely spend more.
The Stelvio uses about 9.6 L/100 km combined. It takes premium gas, just like the GLC. The GLC is a little better on paper at 8.9 L/100 km. But with the Stelvio’s extra power, it feels like a fair trade. The GLC plug-in hybrid is great if you charge it every day. But if you don’t, it can end up using more gas than expected. That’s something to think about, especially in cold Ottawa winters.
The Stelvio gives you 524 litres of space in the trunk, and up to 1,600 litres with the seats folded. The GLC has a bit more with seats up (620 litres), and 1,680 litres with them down. It’s close either way. The Stelvio rides at a nice height. It feels stable in snow but not too tall. The hybrid GLC rides lower, which may not be ideal on snowy roads.
If you live in Ottawa and want a stylish SUV that’s also fun to drive, the Stelvio might be your match. It’s quick, bold, and simple to use. More than just another luxury vehicle, it feels alive. Come visit Alfa Romeo Ottawa. See it in person. You might fall in love after just one drive.