Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Stelvio doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas Cross Sport offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Stelvio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Stelvio only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Stelvio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Stelvio’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Stelvio.

There are almost 5 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Stelvio’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Atlas Cross Sport’s reliability 23 points higher than the Stelvio.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Alfa Romeo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 5 places higher in reliability than Alfa Romeo.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Stelvio (18.6 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Stelvio:

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the Stelvio:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the Stelvio (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stelvio (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the Stelvio (117.3 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Stelvio.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 14.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stelvio (112.1 vs. 97.6).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 5.1 inches more front legroom, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 8.5 inches more rear legroom and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stelvio.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Atlas Cross Sport’s rear seats recline. The Stelvio’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Stelvio with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Stelvio with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is limited to 3000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas Cross Sport the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Stelvio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stelvio doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Atlas Cross Sport SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Stelvio’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Stelvio doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Stelvio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by almost 11 to one during the 2021 model year.