The reintroduction of Alfa Romeo into the United States market was gradual, calculated and effective. FCA decided to reacquaint U.S. drivers with the iconic Italian brand first as a high performance nameplate with its first model before adding a strong luxury vibe for the American motorist with the second. Now, the third and latest import in this very welcome invasion is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

This new Stelvio SUV joins the hardcore 4C coupe and the well-received Giulia sedan as Alfa Romeo’s current lineup. That 4C is true driver’s car — a stripped down, finely tuned performance machine with a manual transmission and no time for power steering. The Giulia is a stylish and romantic looker built to dance gracefully between comfort and performance. The Stelvio’s job is to push Alfa Romeo into the hotly competitive SUV market with a touch of Italian spirit.