Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs BMW X3

The short version

The BMW X3 is more fuel-efficient: 29 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $550 a year less in fuel for the BMW X3 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW X3 is the bigger car, about 3 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio has had fewer recall campaigns (18 vs 62).

The two cars

The 2026 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,660 lb (Base/Ti).

The 2026 BMW X3 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,176 lb (30 Xdrive 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Stelvio and the 2023 X3 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Stelvio and the 2020 X3.