2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema
Alfa Romeo originally returned to the American market in 2008, but it was 2016’s Giulia sport sedan that marked the point in which they really got serious about selling cars in the US. And it was quickly followed up by the Stelvio SUV which has naturally become their best-selling model. So, what’s next? Well, it looks like Alfa is going to extreme measures to take the Stelvio to the next level.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio arrived 5-years ago with a bang. Not only bringing a much welcomeD splash of Italian style to the small sporty luxury-minded crossover scene, but bringing the most power and highest performance we’d seen yet. For 2023, there’s a new option for buyers, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD.
Starting with Veloce trim, the limited edition Estrema adds an adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential; essentially giving you some of the Quadrifoglio’s go-fast goodies without having to spend quite as much dough. It’s all integrated into their DNA drive mode setup, which Alfa says is tuned hand-in-hand with their Formula One team. The Estrema doesn’t get the Quad’s race mode, but Dynamic mode is quite aggressive; delivering a ride that’s about as firm as you’ll find in a production street vehicle. It can feel hyper, almost twitchy at times; seemingly unhappy tooling through commuter traffic, having higher speeds and freer flowing pavement on its mind.
4 unique colors are available, including this Misano blue; and all Estremas get a new rear diffuser, unique 21-inch wheels, and additional black trim; plus, carbon fiber covers for the grille and side mirrors. They’ve added plenty of carbon-fiber inside as well; on the door panels, console, and dashboard; along with leather sport seats stitched up with the same red thread as the dash. All of the additions are well executed, and breathe new life into a space that was starting to look somewhat dated compared to the newest rivals.
Both rear seat space and cargo area at 18.5 cubic-ft. are tighter than most as well, though max capacity of 56.5 cubic-ft. compares better. Rounding out the list of upgrades in the Estrema are a dual-pane sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system for cranking tunes.
Cranking away under the hood is the standard Stelvio’s 2.0-liter turbo I4 engine. It may fall short of the Quadrifoglio V6’s 505-horsepower, but still pumps out an impressive 280-horsepower and 306 lb-ft. of torque to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, which has some beefy aluminum paddle shifters mounted Italian style on the steering column.
Unleashed at Mason Dixon Dragway, the Estrema, with its standard all-wheel-drive, has plenty of grip for a healthy launch; but from there, power delivery is more moderate than overwhelming, taking 6.3-seconds to hit 60. Shifts from the trans, whether triggered with those nice paddles or done automatically, are extremely smooth and barely noticeable. There’s not a lot of excitement inducing engine noise either, just a very calm and luxury-like cruise through the quarter in 14.5-seconds at 95 miles-per-hour.
Everything took a turn for the better when we turned through the cones of our handling course. Here is where this utility vehicle really shines, feeling absolutely great when it comes to handling performance. That ultra-firm suspension and hyper nature of Dynamic mode helps this Stelvio feel more like a sport sedan than just about anything else in the crossover world. Very little body roll, virtually no understeer or oversteer, and the perfect amount of feel through the steering wheel, made for an incredibly precise, spirited, predictable, and fun run through the cones.
Brakes are by Brembo, but they’re not Quadrifoglio spec., and we felt substantial ABS pedal pulsing. Still, stops from 60 took only 113-feet; consistently staying straight and true, with only moderate nosedive.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 22-City, 28-Highway, and 24-Combined. We averaged a spot-on 24.2 miles-per-gallon of Premium. Making for an average Energy Impact Score, using 12.4-barrels of oil yearly, with 6.0 tons of CO2 emissions.
Stelvio pricing begins at $48,170, and for that, you’ll get the same engine found here in the Estrema. It’s starting price of $60,920, slots it well below the top Quadrifoglio, yet gives you a healthy dose of its performance.
So, whether you call it style, character, panache; the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema has it by the boat load; giving you a perfect option for increased handling performance without having to break the bank. It’s still beautiful to look at, unique to see out on the road, and now even more fun to drive on that road than ever!
Specifications
- Engine: 2.0L Turbo I-4
- Horsepower: 280
- Torque: 306 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 14.5 seconds at 95 mph
- 60-0 Braking: 113 feet (avg)
- EPA: 22 City / 28 Highway / 24 Combined
- MW Fuel Economy: 24.2 mpg (Premium)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport
It Does Truck-Like Things Better Than Ever
Honda brought something truly unique to the pickup truck scene when their mid-size Ridgeline debuted for 2006. In 2017, it moved towards becoming a little more true truck-like, both in form and capability, now with yet another step in that direction for 2024. So, let’s see if the Ridgeline is really hitting its stride.
For 2024, it’s all about making this Honda Ridgeline better than ever. There are styling tweaks outside, along with tech and functional improvements inside, but the biggest news is the Ridgeline has now joined Honda’s TrailSport family of off-road inspired vehicles. This more-true-trucklike, second-gen Ridgeline been around since 2017, receiving periodic updates over the years; but joining the TrailSport family is the biggest leap yet.
Primarily, the TrailSport transformation includes General Grabber all-terrain tires, mounted on new Pewter Gray 18-inch wheels, steel underbody protection, and retuning the strut front, and multi-link rear suspension for added wheel articulation. And while we always appreciate the additional traction of off-road tires, the Ridgeline’s standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, with Intelligent Traction Management and snow, sand, and mud settings, was already quite capable of handling all but the most extreme off-roading, ground clearance of just 7.6 inches being it’s only real hinderance.
A 3.5-liter V6 remains under the hood as it has since the Ridgeline debuted for 2006; the current version outputs 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, plenty enough muscle to handle its 5,000-lbs. towing capacity. A nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and bevy of push and pull buttons on the console replaced the six-speed automatic back in 2020.
In addition to adding TrailSport capability, a big focus for this update was making it more user-friendly inside, starting with the central touchscreen growing from 8 to 9 inches. It also gets faster processing speeds, menus have been simplified, and the native navigation system is improved with better graphics. It’s accompanied by a new digital instrument cluster, along with an upgraded center console with more storage space. Unique TrailSport touches include heavy duty floormats, leather-trimmed seats, orange stitching throughout the cabin, and orange ambient lighting.
The Ridgeline continues to offer things available nowhere else in the pickup truck market.
Exterior styling doesn’t exactly shout “macho big rig coming your way,” but the more vertical face and larger grille that arrived for 2021, along with this year’s added TrailSport elements, do continue to toughen up the Ridgeline’s image. The 5’4” bed remains highly functional with no large wheel well intrusions, multiple tie-downs points, lighting and even speakers. And of course, the Ridgeline continues to offer things available nowhere else in the pickup truck market, like the dual-action tailgate, and large, lockable, drainable, underbed storage. Not to mention being able to drive around in true car-like comfort, something we took full advantage of on our way to our Mason Dixon Dragway test track.
There was great grip off the line, with full power arriving smoothly but quickly, helping us to get to 60 in 7.0 seconds flat, a tenth quicker than the last Ridgeline we tested. That power delivery stayed fairly consistent the whole way down the track, barely interrupted by the nine-speed automatic’s smooth shifting. Our best quarter-mile run was 15.5 seconds at 90 mph.
The revised suspension and knobbier tires didn’t really seem to add or detract from handling prowess, as it felt as solid, nimble, and car-like as it always has through our cone course. Perhaps a little less stiff than before, but good feedback, tight steering, and minimal body roll for a pickup, made for a very confidence inspiring experience. In our braking test, we stopped in a respectable average of 123 feet from 60, with only moderate amounts of nosedive and good feel through the pedal.
There is, however, a slight reduction in Government Fuel Economy Ratings with the all-terrain tires; 18-City, 23-Highway, and 20-Combined, our average, right on, at 20.4 mpg of Regular. That’s a slightly below average Energy Impact Score of 14.9 barrels of yearly oil use, with CO2 emissions of 7.4 tons.
TrailSport pricing falls in line just under the Ridgeline’s top Black Edition trim with a starting price of $46,375, about five grand over a base Ridgeline Sport.
So, whether you consider the Honda Ridgeline to be a “real” truck or not, this ruggedly smooth 2024 TrailSport does truck-like things better than ever. And we’re not just talking about the slight upgrade in off-road performance, we’re talking about a flexible bed to help you get chores done, and the ability to tow or haul with comfort and flexibility other trucks can only wish for. It’s why the Ridgeline brings more first-time buyers to Honda than any other vehicle, and why it continues to be a great choice in the growing midsize truck realm.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 280
- Torque: 262 lb-ft
- EPA: 18 City | 23 Highway | 20 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 7.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.5 seconds at 90 mph
- 60-0 Braking (avg): 123 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 20.4 mpg (Regular)
- Max Towing Capacity: 5,000-lbs