Alfa Romeo sell just three models in the UK – the Giulietta, the Giulia and the Stelvio – and it is the latter of those three, reviewed here, that is the firm’s most significant.

The Stelvio takes its name from Italy’s highest mountain pass, an epic 20-kilometre driving route with more than 75 hairpins. That fact alone provides some indication of Alfa’s ambitions for their SUV.

With such a truncated model line-up the Italian manufacturer needed to build an SUV, and it needed to be a good one. It’s based on the excellent Giulia saloon which should ensure decent ride quality and handling. Indeed, Alfa insists that the driving experience is the number one priority with its cars so it should score highly in that department but what about the rest of the package?

The Scudetto grille, which appeared for the first time on the 1934 6C 2300 Turismo dominates the front, as you would expect, and is flanked by aggressively-styled headlights. There are large intakes set low in the bumper.

The flanks boast strong creases and muscular haunches while the roofline has more than a hint of coupe about it give the big SUV a fittingly sporty profile. The roof-top spoiler sits above a steeply-raked rear hatch while a pair of large, chrome-tipped exhausts add further evidence of the Stelvio’s sporting ambitions.

For the most part, the quality of the interior is excellent. There are swathes of soft-touch materials across most of the surfaces that are tactile and pleasant to the touch. There is also the option for selecting real-wood inserts for prominent locations, such as around the leather-wrapped gear selector. All the controls have a reassuringly solid feel to them.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, with adjustable lumbar support, and offer plenty of flexibility. The steering wheel has ample adjustment for rake but its reach is a little more limited, meaning that some people might struggle to find the ideal driving position.

All the controls are within comfortable reach. The aluminium paddles mounted on the steering column are huge, which does make it easier to swap ratios when you’re turning the wheel, but also means that the indicator or wiper stalks are a little further away than you might usually expect.

Visibility out the front is hampered a little by the thick A-pillars, while out the back you’ve got to contend with a narrow rear windscreen as well as the thick rear pillars. Fortunately a rear parking camera is standard across the range.

Infotainment is provided via an 8.8in colour screen integrated into the top of the dashboard. It’s controlled with a rotary dial that sits on the transmission tunnel. While touchscreens are becoming increasingly popular, it’s much easier and safer using the physical controller because you’re not required to take your eyes off the road quite as much.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included as standard.

The Stelvio is also equipped with seven-inch TFT screen that sits between the analogue instrument dials and can be configured to display various information including sat-nav instructions or driving data. There are plenty of connected services too, such as an app that, among other things, lets you unlock the car remotely or find where you left it in a car park. It can even be accessed using a smart speaker.

There are two engines to choose from, one diesel and one petrol, and four power outputs: 187 and 207bhp for the 2.2-litre diesel and 197 and 276bhp for the 2.0-litre petrol.

Noise levels in the cabin are a little higher than I would like for a vehicle in the Stelvio’s class. The engine can be a bit coarse and intrusive even at low speeds and, when the pace picks up, the volume of road noise rises while the mirrors can whip up a bit of a storm around the front pillars.

Every Stelvio has an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard and it’s a responsive unit that’s quick to react when you need a burst of acceleration. You can adjust the car’s responses with the DNA Dynamic, Normal and Advanced Efficiency – selector switch.

Dynamic mode accentuates performance and reactive handling. The steering response becomes more precise, braking is more immediate and the electronic control systems do not interfere with the pleasure of sports-style driving. Natural mode is ideal for urban and motorway driving; handling is tailored for comfort and fuel economy. And finally, the new Advanced Efficiency maximises energy saving and minimises emissions levels.

Remember Alfa’s claims about the driving experience? Well, it wasn’t an idle boast.

SUVs are inherently heavy, with a high centre of gravity but, at Alfa, there has been a concerted efforted to reduce the Stelvio’s mass with the use of advanced lightweight materials. For example, the driveshaft is carbon fibre and the engines, suspension systems, bonnet, wings doors and the tailgate are all aluminium. That mass is distributed perfectly evenly between the two axles.

It uses the firm’s Q4 all-wheel drive system which sends most of the drive to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions but, when conditions get a little more slippery, up to 50 per cent of the power can be sent to the front wheels to improve traction.

The steering is direct, with very little lock required to tackle tight corners, but it is nicely weighted, making it easy to place the nose precisely where you want it. The suspension is stiff, which means the Stelvio resists body roll admirably, but that does impact on the ride quality a little.

Turn in at speed and the rear end can feel a little twitchy and, indeed, it is possible to get the rear end to step out a bit but it always feels progressive and safe. The Stelvio does an excellent job of disguising its high centre of gravity and there is always plenty of grip to keep the big SUV planted through fast corners.

The Stelvio is, perhaps, one of the most focused SUVs on the market. It has rivals that are more accomplished all-rounders but the Stelvio, with its entertaining handling, practical and spacious interior and sense of character and identity that certain competitors are missing, means that the keen driver with a growing family can have their cake and eat it.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Price from: £37,745

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Max power: 197bhp

Max torque: 330Nm

Max speed: 134mph

0-62mph: 7sec

Combined: 31 – 67mpg

Emissions (CO2): 161g/km

For more information visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk