The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is cheaper than a Jaguar F-Pace*

Alfa Romeo has announced prices for its brand new Stelvio SUV, and we’ll get the bad news out of the way first. The price for the one you probably want – the all-singing, all dancing 503bhp Quadrifoglio version with mad V6 – remains a mystery.

The one many will actually buy however, starts from £33,900. That gets you into a 2.2-litre diesel Stelvio with rear-wheel drive and 180bhp. That’s just under a grand cheaper than the entry-level 160bhp Jag F-Pace 2.0-litre diesel.

Move on up, and the entry-level petrol version – the one we thought was actually quite a sweet chassis/drivetrain combo – is £34,690. That’s a 200bhp AWD Stelvio.

There are many trim levels too. The Stelvio Super gets bigger alloys, sensors, an 8.8in infotainment screen, 3D nav, and leather/cloth upholstery. The Stelvio Speciale isn’t a pared back, track-honed jutjob like a Ferrari 458 Speciale, sadly, but instead gets everything Super gets, with added aluminium shift paddles, adjustable seats and metal pedals.

The daddy of the new range thus far is the Milano Edizione: better speakers, 20in alloys, privacy glass, rear view camera and keyless entry. This one, paired with the petrol turbo, £45,390.

Enough about trim, let’s talk speed. The petrol is good for a 0-62mph time of 5.7secs and a top speed of 143mph (all petrols are AWD). The diesel? 0-62mph in 6.6secs, topping out at 134mph.

So, this, or a Jaguar F-Pace?