What's the difference?
This week I’ve taken the recently updated Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce on a massive road trip and after the first few hours of driving it, I thought this is the sort of car you get when you need some extra boot space but still want that sports car vibe.
It helps that our test model is finished in the classic 'Alfa Red' but while its on-road performance can't be ignored, it has some tough medium SUV competition from the likes of the BMW X3, Genesis GV70 and Lexus NX.
So, is it just a fun car to drive or will it suit the family, too? I've been cruising around in it for the last week with my family of three to find out for you!
The Volvo XC60 has long been an understated achiever of the premium mid-size SUV crowd.
It doesn’t shout for attention like some of its rivals, but it’s built a reputation for quiet confidence and family-friendly practicality. For 2026, the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark keeps the same engine but has received a facelift in other areas. Is it enough to keep family buyers who want a mix of practicality and luxury happy?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is the car you get when you want a sports car but happen to have a kid or two. Its ride comfort is on the lower end but it has heaps of power and enough features that it manages to slide into its price tag without feeling too cheeky. The back seat’s size will limit this to smaller families, though. And I would prefer to see better tech at this grade level, so this gets a 7.1/10 from me.
My son didn’t spend much time in this one but he liked the red paintwork. My mum, however, loved the power and sexy packaging. She gives it an 8/10.
The facelifted Volvo XC60 Ultra B5 Dark is the car at school pick-up that doesn’t need to brag. It just gets on with things and it looks good doing it. It offers a strong mix of family-focused features, comfortable and composed road manners and thoughtful practicality throughout the cabin.
The updated media system is crisp and responsive, though it could use a few tweaks to be truly intuitive. Overall, the XC60 mild-hybrid remains a solid choice for families who value understated luxury, comfort and safety over flash. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does what it does well.