It’s not every day that we get to see cars that easily blend the SUV crossover nature with sportiness. The Alfa Romeo and the Mazda are the few brands that understand the assignment more than any other automaker. To satisfy shoppers looking to lease a sporty SUV crossover, both the Mazda and Alfa brand has combined the practicality of SUVs with the athleticism of sports cars to offer a fun-to-drive machine.
When you think of driving a new Alfa Romeo Stelvio or a Mazda CX-5, what comes to your mind? These stylish and luxurious machines strongly represent their respective brands in the luxury compact SUV class. So should you lease a 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, or is leasing the 2022 Mazda CX-5 any better?
The News
The CX-5 is the most selling Mazda car. For 2022, the Japanese automaker is a bit careful not to get things out of the line, and as such, has given this sporty SUV a modest makeover. On the outside, the 2022 CX-5 receives a slight tweak in the exterior styling, including a more distinctive grille with a new three-dimensional mesh texture and wings that run to the redesigned LED lights and updated wheels. On the inside, this best-selling Mazda now sports a more elegantly styled and richly appointed interior with supportive seats and the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select for changing drive modes. Under the hood, the 2022 CX-5 gets a retuned six-speed automatic transmission and an updated suspension, making it handle better and afford more comfortable ride quality than before. Also, Mazda now packs all 2022 CX-5 models with all-wheel drive as standard.
Aside from being one of the best-looking crossovers in its class, leasing the 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers one of the most outstanding small luxury crossovers for shoppers that value driving dynamics over every other thing. While nothing significant has changed in the 2022 Stelvio, Alfa has made notable changes in its small luxury SUV. The new Stelvio comes with some notable adjustments. Alfa has introduced a Veloce trim to replace the Ti Sport trim. Also, Alfa has packed more standard safety features to the new Stelvio, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors. Other features like the heated front and rear seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, built-in navigation, and wireless charging pad are standard across the trims.
Engine And Transmission
The 2022 Alfa Stelvio uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. This turbo-four engine coughs out 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the base model comes standard with rear-wheel drive with an available all-wheel drive, AWD is standard across the lineup. If you’re not satisfied with the base turbo-four power, you can go for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio model with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 that produces 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. This model also uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.
For the Mazda CX-5, there are two engine options, a base naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that generates 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This non-turbo four feels quick and delivers ample power, but if you need more power, the available turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque or 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when running on 93 octane fuel will do it for you. The turbocharged and the non-turbo engine pair with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard.
While both crossovers provide sporty powertrains, leasing the 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers more horsepower, torque, and better transmission.
Handling And Performance
Other compact crossovers may be more spacious than the Stelvio and Mazda CX-5, but these two are more fun to drive.
The standard Stelvio’s powertrain has enough power to satisfy all shoppers. But if you want to lease something with more animated, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the option. When it comes to driving manners, only a few small luxury crossovers comes close to the Stelvio. While it’s not overtly athletic, the 2022 Stelvio is fun to drive with agile handling. This Italian compact SUV never sacrifices sportiness for ride comfort, as it delivers a calm and well-cushioned ride.
The Mazda CX-5 is another impressive sporty compact SUV. Thanks to its revised transmission and upgraded suspension, this Japanese compact SUV is more composed around winding roads and even more fun to drive now than ever before.
Undoubtedly, the CX-5 doesn’t offer as much acceleration as the Stelvio, but it handles well and feels a little more composed than the Stelvio.
Fuel Economy
If you need a fuel-efficient SUV option, leasing the 2022 Mazda CX-50 is the deal.
The 2022 CX-50 is slightly more fuel-efficient than the 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. EPA estimates the new CX-50 to return 24/30 mpg city/highway with the base 2.5-liter engine and 22/27 mpg city/highway with the turbocharged engine.
The Stelvio, on the other hand, earns 22/29 mpg city/highway with RWD models, 22/28 mpg with AWD models, and 17/23 mpg city/highway with the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
Interior And Comfort
Inside, the Stelvio and CX-50 offer a typical sporty compact SUV cabin. However, the CX-50 comes with more quality materials and convenience features than its price suggests. The more luxurious Stelvio can get easily swallowed by more pricey and stylish options from the German automakers.
For infotainment, while the Stelvio offers an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the CX-50 comes with a standard 10.3-inch infotainment screen. However, the Stelvio packs more standard niceties.
Like all sports cars, the Stelvio and the CX-50 prioritize the driver, so don’t expect to get comfy passenger seats with these sporty crossovers. While both SUVs seats five, the Mazda CX-50 offers more passenger and cargo space than the CX-50.
Cost
The more stylish and well-equipped 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio costs more than the 2022 Mazda CX-50.
Regardless, both the CX-50 and Stelvio are stand-out choices for driving enthusiasts looking to lease an SUV that offers a thrill whenever they get behind the wheels. To lease any of these at unbeatable bargains, get in touch with VIP Auto, 1204 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305 https://viplease.com/.
