The Next-Gen Alfa Romeo Stelvio is Set For 2026

Alfa Romeo is having a rough go of it

Stellantis owns some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, including Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. It also has a handful of other automotive brands under its umbrella that we don’t hear much about, one of which is Alfa Romeo. The Italian marque hasn’t been doing so hot in recent years. As of 2022, the brand was down to 135 dealerships in the United States. In 2024, the automaker sold just 8,857 vehicles on our shores and 62,000 units worldwide. That’s a good deal short of the 80,000-to-90,000-vehicle sales goal Alfa Romeo set for the year. 

The next-gen Alfa Romeo Stelvio will make its debut this year

Earlier this year, Alfa Romeo ditched plans to go all-electric by 2027 in favor of a multi-energy approach. The Italian automaker will still bring all-electric models to market, but they’ll be joined by hybrid and gas-powered vehicles as well. It looks like Alfa Romeo is making good on its revised approach, starting with the hybrid-powered next-generation Stelvio.

According to a LinkedIn post by Santo Ficili, CEO of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, the next-gen Stelvio SUV will make its debut later this year and hit the market sometime in 2026. As an added bonus, Ficili also shared that the new Giulia sedan will follow the Stelvio. Both models will be manufactured in Italy.

The upcoming Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia will both feature hybrid powertrains and ride on the STLA Large platform, which also underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S. Comments made by Ficili earlier this year also hinted that the Giulia sedan could get a bit taller in its next iteration. While there’s no confirmation on what engine will play a role in the new hybrid powertrain, there are a couple of top contenders.

The new Alfa Romeo models could borrow the twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine found in the Ram 1500, Jeep Wagoneer, and the upcoming Dodge Charger Sixpack. If the Hurricane is indeed the engine of choice, it will likely become the basis of Alfa Romeo’s new hybrid powertrain.

If you still want a more traditional gas-powered Alfa Romeo Giulia or Stelvio, you still have some time. According to the automaker, the outgoing 2.0-liter four-cylinder models will be available in North America through the 2026 calendar year.

Alfa Romeo already has one hybrid in its ranks

The Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV debuted for the 2024 model year with a battery that provided enough power to go over 30 miles on electrical power alone. The hybrid powertrain combines a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a rear-mounted electric motor to create an all-wheel drivetrain. All 285 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque come channeled through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Tonale is a real-world example of the Italian automaker’s multi-energy strategy, as the plug-in hybrid powertrain is sold alongside a standard ICE-powered model. While an all-wheel drivetrain is still standard, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission can replace the hybrid system. That 268-horsepower engine is the same powerhouse found under the hood of the Dodge Hornet.

Final thoughts

With sales down significantly year over year, Alfa Romeo desperately needs some kind of catalyst to stem the bleeding. The next-generation Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV could be exactly what the brand needs, especially as the Italian manufacturer pushes forward with its multi-energy approach. Scrapping plans to go all-electric by 2027 is probably the right move for the automaker, especially as some of the other EVs from its sister brands aren’t exactly doing too hot.