Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
Verdict
At RM480,128, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio undercuts the RM498,888 Mercedes-Benz GLE by RM18,760 and is the sharper paper performer: 276 hp, 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 230 km/h. The GLE answers with a plug-in hybrid layout, a 154 hp motor, 31 kWh battery and 114 km EV range, plus a much larger body and 2,995 mm wheelbase. For a Malaysian buyer, this is speed and boot space versus electrified daily running, rear-seat room and more comfort kit.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if you want the quicker SUV, the larger boot and a lower price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want plug-in hybrid running, a bigger cabin footprint and more luxury equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Stelvio RM480,128; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888
- Powertrain: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 1,995 cc petrol; Mercedes-Benz GLE 1,999 cc petrol plug-in hybrid with 154 hp motor
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 5.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds
- Wheelbase: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2,818 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLE 2,995 mm
- Boot space: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 525 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 litres
- Warranty: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 5 years/150,000 km; Mercedes-Benz GLE 4 years/unlimited mileage plus 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty
Stelvio
- Quicker to 100 km/h and higher top speed
- Bigger 525-litre boot despite the smaller body
- Costs RM18,760 less
- No plug-in hybrid motor, battery or EV range
- Smaller 2,818 mm wheelbase than the GLE’s 2,995 mm
- Fewer parking aids: 4 front and 4 rear sensors, with reverse camera but no surround view or auto parking
GLE
- Plug-in hybrid system with 31 kWh battery and 114 km EV range
- Larger body and longer 2,995 mm wheelbase
- Air suspension, panoramic sliding roof, ventilated massage front seats and surround view camera
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 6.1 seconds versus 5.7 seconds
- Smaller 490-litre boot despite being the larger SUV
- Costs RM18,760 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 480,128✓ | RM 498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,687 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,648 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,818 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 64 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Cross-drilled Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Power Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 438✓ | RM 440 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Stelvio vs GLE FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is better for pace and boot space, with 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 525 litres. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is better for electrified use and comfort kit, with 114 km EV range, air suspension and a larger body.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM18,760 more than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The gap buys a plug-in hybrid system, bigger dimensions, air suspension, panoramic roof, ventilated massage front seats and more parking assistance.
Which SUV is more practical for daily Malaysian driving?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE suits short urban trips better if you can charge it, thanks to its 114 km EV range. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is easier to justify if luggage space matters more, as it has 525 litres versus the GLE’s 490 litres.