2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs Mercedes-Benz GLC Comparison 

Here's the verdict the Mercedes Benz GLC is more luxurious than the Alfa, but the Alfa Romeo is a driver's car.

The GLC is a very normal car for very normal people. The STELVIO IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC! (reliability is the same - I can say it, because I owned several Alfa Romeo...)

Wife drove both and went got the Stelvio. She said the GLC felt like a generic appliance and life is too short for that.

Stelvio would be my choice

I can't help writing a response to your video and your aggressive comments that you could have thought through before you called something "stupid". Teams of designers and engineers spent a lot of time working on it, have some respect. I just switched my 2016 GLC for a 2018 Stelvio Ti and think that I have at least a few answers, as I obviously spent far more time with either car. First of all, don't call MB shifter "stupid". It is definitely something I miss from my GLC. It saves console space, is very easy to operate without taking your hands off the steering wheel and is far more intuitive than Alfa's, Audi's and BMW shifters: up - to reverse, down - to drive, side button - to park. You should have also mentioned that both cars are smart by auto-shifting to Park, when the driver door opens (MB) or the engine is turned off (Alfa). Maybe you didn't spend enough time with either vehicle? Aww, that's too bad. Hey, you probably know that Tesla borrowed MB's shifter, should it also be called stupid? USBs... Stelvio has 5 of them! The one in the front is intended for a driver, who usually uses a single device. The 12V outlet is necessary, as the tire inflating compressor has to be plugged in somewhere. There are plenty of accessories that could also be powered by using it. One USB up front is all I need to be able to use Android Auto. Speaking of which, I do like the smart slot for a phone that I have in my Stelvio and missed in my GLC. I don't need a phone holder anymore! I could go on and on, but one thing is clear: I won't be watching any of your shallow, arrogant and opinionated reviews.

I love the Stelvio

This is one of those comparisons where I understand the Mercedes is obviously the best choice, but I’d still go with the Alfa, despite knowing all the reliability issues I’ll be faced with. Obviously lease for both.

No lady, the GLC doesn't have everything better, starting by the engine ...and dynamics ...for those who like these small details in a car. This video reflects the typical mindset people have with car brands. Alfa is fun and all that, but Mercedes (or any other German made car) is the one to get for the long run. We enter a German car and start looking for the quality. We enter an Italian car and start looking for faults. Well people, you should try to do the opposite for a change ...and you would be surprised. Because I for one, actually see it the other way around. And if I'm going to have a company leased car for 3 or 4 years, then the Mercedes would be perfectly fine. If I want or need a car in my life for several more years to come, then clearly the Stelvio would be my choice.

stelvio all day

I don't think she reads Consumer Reports .... Mercedes has consistently been at the bottom of reliability

I wish people stopped harping on about Alfa's reliability, it was a meme 15 years ago, nowdays it's just as reliable as any other average car

I continue to find it interesting how autoguide and others continue to harp on about the quality of the Mercedes interiors. I have just crossed shopped these myself and really found the plastic quality in both to be disappointing in places. The sharp edges on the Merc centre console are really poor and disappointing. The Alfa by comparison actually feels quite nice in the areas that you interact with. I also felt the paddles weren’t in the way when I test drove it and I think that comes down to how you drive and operate those controls.

Today i had test drive of Stelvio2.2 dsl 210hp, Glc coupe 2.2 dsl 170hp and jeep Compass 2.0 170hp..(in 2 hours only). Stelvio was the most fun driving, more quiet than the other two, more powerfull and it has more space in the back!! And i have mention that on stelvio it was 20" wheels and on glc 19".. In 2016 i drove the gle coupe, my first taste of luxury cars, and i didnt suprised that much as today.. Italian 🇮🇹 for many reasons!!!

The stelvio is a good SUV and it's still the first generation and this thing that you talked about it negatively it's a natural think because every car in first generation has a lack but the next generation of course will tuned and fixed these things

I bought the stelvio two days ago after owning a QV for 16 months. I have both now. I enjoy both. I have to disagree with you. Stelvio is just the better car. yes for interior and comfort Mercedes is the better choice. but if ur a car enthusiast you cant possibly buy the boring generic cookie cutter Mercedes .

The Stelvio interiors are not that bad, I actually love them. My personal favorite interiors after Volvo ones. Rigid plastic in the lower areas can be a good thing as it doesn't wear as quickly as soft-touch materials.

She's insane, " and that's all i can about" her!!! Stelvio all the way

Look unless you tell me that Stelvios are breaking down left and right on the road, I'm going with the Alfa. I have a Gti (I know, different category) and the 1 thing that car taught me is driving should be fun, engaging and put a smile on your face when doing so. With that said, I'll take the minor so called quarks. I hardly use the tech in my Gti and barely even drive with the radio on. I'll take the Stelvio sport with it's gr8 driving dynamics, punchy turbo, "heeey what is that" styling, along with minor quark issues (gas lid gaps and such...yeah ok).

Should've been Stelvio vs Macan.

i like the ninja camera man in the trees at 2:57 :D good review, i think i would lean more towards the Mercedes myself

Man she whines....and if she can't find the turn signal without hitting the paddle shifters....then she should buy a bus pass...say no more

Stelvio is amazing. Plus it didn't break like the Volvo XC60. Also the large paddle shifters are the best part. Do not make them smaller

I know entering addresses on the Alfa is difficult, but you can always use the voice command, ;)

Alfa seems like it is what bmw was in late 1990s. A driver focused car. Makes me love it even more.

So this may be the worse review of any car anywhere on RU-vid.... 1) Stelvio's paddles are FIXED ON THE COLUMN....they must be large...every reviewer of Giulia and Stelvio has loved the paddles....obviously, you're wrong... 2) Both cars have 2.0 liter turbo 4's but Stelvio's has 40 HP MORE and gets better fuel economy!! And yet the Benz does every thing better ? 3) Most people in this segment are carrying kids in the back seats with all of their goodies in the storage area behind the rear seats....Benz has less capacity for stuff and yet ...it does every thing better ? 4) Stelvio's interior is clean and aesthetic....HEY HANZ YOU IDIOT, YOU FORGOT THE NAVIGATION SCREEN....DON'T WORRY KLAUS.....I'LL THROW AN iPAD ON TOP OF THE CENTER STACK AND THE IDIOT AMERICANS WILL LOVE IT !!!! 5) EMBARRASSING ....the Stelvio is soooooo much better right out of the box.... FORZA ALFA BABY...don't listen to this review....BRUTAL ON EVERY LEVEL !!!

If you are looking for practicality and quality, go for the GLC. If you want attention and love driving, go for the Alfa. If you are loaded, buy both. Cheers

So Mercedes is cool BUT, the downsides about the Stelvio you mentioned are passable, the paddle Shifters are optional, then the interior style makes the interior feel a lot more luxurious, you can see that the steering wheel on the merc looks so cheap and also the screen of the infotainment system is horrible while in the Stelvio it is well integrated, about the material used... Yes they are nicer in the merc but the difference is pretty little

You want to take the excellent Ferrari paddle shifters and make them worse on the Stelvo? And if you want a more luxurious interior the Lusso trim is coming by the end of the year. And a software update to enable the touch pad on the center on the control wheel will becoming soon too. It's obvious AutoGuide does not care about driving dynamics. If Alfa Romeo is not successful then it's going to prove to manufactures even more that truly good driving dynamics does not matter. And future cars will become less and less important to have good driving dynamics. We need Alfa Romeo to survive and bullshit reviews like this don't help. Mercedes-Benz is fucking boring and has had a long history of reliability problems, so don't act like the Benz is going to be a better long term buy. It's a German Buick just like modern BMWs when it comes to how they drive. To have a fun in a German car you have to go all the way up to AMG, M, or S trims to get good driving dynamics on Alfas you can get good driving dynamics even on the base model. Auto Guide recommending appliances smh. It's fucking sad when the so called "car enthusiast" get it wrong even.

The target demo of this vehicle cares more about character and driving dynamics than a super luxurious interior. Sure, they could have made the interior much more luxurious, but that wouldn't have fit the character of Alfa Romeo the brand. Also, we would have then complained about a high price. I own the Giula and am picking up my new Stelvio this weekend. In either vehicle, I've never hit my hands on the paddle shifters when reaching for the turn signal. Yes, the navigation system is a pain to use when entering the destination, but if they would have used UConnect from FCA, we would have complained about their using "standard" parts in a premium vehicle. I believe they are working on a solution to this but unfortunately, it won't be implemented this year. Finally, this base Stelvio has the base Macan beat on most categories. There are multiple sites where one can read up on that.

This aged like fine milk. That benz was horrifically unreliable while the alfa is surprisingly reliable. Alfa drives miles better, but the benz is miles more cushy. Those paddles are amazing on backroads and are part of why I personally switched to the alfa. This journalist did not do proper homework at all.

I own a stelvio 2.2 turbo diesel for 7 months now... This gap on the fuel tank is only on your car 😛.. Never saw any stelvio with that gap.. So don't tell bullshit if someone just broke it on yours! Until now didn't had any issue with the car

A very much improved review from auto-guide ... I have mostly been very critical in the past so this is pleasing to see.

I test drove it. PRO: fun, huge discounts, zippy after 1st gear, fast zf transmission. Great handling. Comfortable ride. Nice interior. CON: turbo lag, paddles were too big and got in the way of using the turn signal stick, rear view mirror had a frame and looked old, the rear looks like a $25k Mazda CX-5, is Alfa Romeo going to be able to stay in business?

Stelvio any time any day and this is the first attempt into SUV class

What is the point of girl reviewing an Alfa Romeo, it's a car for men.

1:35 And there’s where every single non Alfa Romeo owner ruins Alfa’s sales success. Always the reliability stigma. German car industry is happy that the vast majority of non Alfa Romeo owners keep bringing the subject without looking into their own reliability issues. You enter a German car and start looking for quality, and you find it. You enter an Italian car and start looking for less perfect finishes snd they’re there too. But try doing the opposite and you will find the same. And it’s almost the third decade of the XXI century. Change that sick reliability talk.

You cant beat the drive and the excitement of the stelvio, it's a drivers car.

The presenter states the Stelvio is "not fast". Yet, states 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds. Confused.

Jodi is 100% right about those stalks on the Mercedes steering column. I've had mine for awhile and I still get confused. And good luck engaging cruise control, that stalk is ignorant.

Excellent review, but I disagree on one point: the paddle shifters have to stay exactly like they are! In a segment with meaningless, pathetic buttons as "shifters", it's amazing to see these beautiful, gigantic aluminum paddles that make you feel like you're driving a supercar. I'd go for longer levers instead, if that problem is such a big deal. It's a shame what we've seen for the gas cap though.

Both are lease only I'm just saying

You can't win them all folks. Each vehicle has its advantages as for disadvantages. I would be wholly happy with any of the two. It will be a matter of time when Alfa Romeo will be a complete contender. After all, its their first attempt into this fierce market segment.

"It's just so entertaining and fun" - yes Jodi, we know you are 💚

Awesome review!

Alfa Romeo Giulia beats both BMW and Mercedes in the 2018 Whatcar reliability survey. Alfa was 3rd and Mercedes C class 14th. Ever been to a Benz dealership? Service department is very busy. That is where the profits are for Mercedes. German reliability is a myth and the fix it again Tony jokes don't apply anymore to Italian cars. It will take time to get past these stereotypes.

The paddles are great, but I see your point, it might be an issue for people with smaller hands.

Hey autoguide Is FCA produces Chrysler Pacifica in right hand drive?

At the end of the day Mercedes is Mercedes......I still love Stelivo

Leave the Benz. Take the cannoli. Not even close.

Wtf? Panel gaps have nothing to do with reliability and she didn't even close the door to lock position. Not that ALFA isn't struggling just like any new designs but damn.

Nothing personal, but I think you’re missing the point about owning a Stelvio. I think the only thing better in the GLC is the quality of the materials in the interior and maybe residual value. Every other corner, Stelvio wins hands down. Regarding the point it’s not fast enough wrt to the others in the same segment how about comparing the Amg version of the glc to the quadrifoglio? It might surprise you.

Man..The Stelvio looks good and is very different and sport, but the Mercedes GLC looks very elegant too.😲

I think the new rounded looks of the glk now glc is very cool

Like Jeremy Clarkson says: The Romeo!!!!

stelvio get it while you can

About scrolling through letters in NAV on Alfa, I believe you can just write with your finger in the middle of the knob, it's a giant touchpad like in an Audi.

Don't see many car reviewers complaining about the panel gap issues on the Model 3...wonder why...

it has alfa magic

You said it. It's a driver's Suv. And I bet 10 out 10 those paddle shifters over that turn signal issue. Use voice commands for Navigation. I wonder how these people become automotive journalists? Both SUV's are for totally different audiences.

@autoguide it’s because Alfa Romeo is not. A luxury brand that’s what Maserati is for in fca lineup but ppl think it’s a lux brand

I would get a Audi Q5 or Volvo XC60 for the money. I like the Alfa, but reliability is a real concern. I like the Mercedes too but I would wait for the refresh next year.

the alfa has also touchfunction on thr round button.

She Looooves touch screens

Passion and excitement slaughters for the win...small annoyances are easily ignored for smiling every time I start up that Alfa Rosso red beauty...come on Jodi you should know better. Great autoguide review. Thank you

I love the style and I own an FCA product which I love (Jeep GC). I defend reliability all the time, but whoever painted my Jeep must of painted this Stelvio. The orange peel that showed up on camera when she complains about the panel gap on the gas door is unacceptable on a vehicle in this class. Actually, it's unacceptable on any vehicle, but apparently the norm for FCA.

Quand je vois une Alfa Romeo, je retire mon chapeau! HENRY FORD

GLC entertainment system sucks... not saying alpha's better just pointing that out

when you guys gonna review the navigator ?

Such a good review

i don't buy cars for people to be impressed by me, especially don't give a shit what the valet thinks of me.

Great review, but I got to say, I am definitely not a fan of your thumbnail photos. Sorry, but the yellow text against the photo just doesn't work. By the way, you owe me $100 usd for this business advice :D hehe. Seriously though, I would suggest going with a smaller text, in white or black, and a much lower character count in the thumbnail. It is an eyesore seeing all the videos on your RU-vid channel and the large and bright yellow text taking emphasis rather than the cars themselves. We humans only need a couple seconds to associate a couple words with pictures so a thumbnail with 2-3 words and a more prominent image of the vehicle being reviewed would be more effective. My two cents. I've been a long time subscriber and viewer and do appreciate and like your reviews. Cheers, and I hope you take this advice in good view.

shockingly poor review.

Mercedes the best

she made very good criticisms other than sucking up like other reviews

Forget both of these and get the all-new X3

Everytime a woman talks about cars and the cmperison I laugh my Ass off she say the car is not quick OK and it's fatser then the Mercedes 😁 😀 😎

Pretty good review, however, your complaints about the Mercedes were very nit picky. If you have been paying attention, Mercedes is phasing in their new key fob, as seen on the current E and S class models. As for the gear stock, call it American, call it funky, weird, misplaced, whatever; I think it’s great! Frees up console room and is really easy to use. Best in the business.

Alfa wins

Outstanding reviews. But my take is to look for something else than these two: Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5 seems like better choices than either the Stelvio or GLC.

There are two more USB ports within the centre cubby, you dopey hoor 😠

U can’t review mate

What would comparisons have been like in 1989. We all know that Alfa’s competition the (Germans) were better screwed together but they were BORING! The only difference between 1989 and now is the internet to tell us who is still fun and who is still boring

Sorry, but only a girl would complain about oversized paddle shifters LOL and pick that boring, ugly Mercedes over the Stelvio.

Kak(BS) man, that may just be on that one particular car and not the entire range..

Dont like Alfa paddle shifts? Really?

It's a lame review. Stelvio all the way!!!!!

I HATE Mercedes!! I love the Alfa Romeo.

Easy on your about Alfa Romeo because you are not an engineer. There's a lot of hate words from your vocabulary.

Mercedes the best gear selector in the world not like alfa multimedia very simple and stupid

nice vid..."Yeshua (Jesus Christ) is the way"

Glc

Complain, complain, complain!

Only in America would you compare these twi hahaha, First Alfa is hardly luxurious. If anything, it is "sporty".

I love her reviews 👍🏼👍🏼❤️👠

😴 ...

Nummer one

Here before 10 views

I see you cameraman 2:57

Please reply

The new Acura RDX will be better than both.