SUVs are popular because they provide excellent visibility, and can haul stuff home from the local garden store, with room left over for a gaggle of prima ballerinas. But they tend to be huge, making them less than fun to maneuver in tight parking garages. Alfa Romeo fixes all that with the Stelvio Quadrifoglio; we are guessing the name translates to “a very stylish, smooth operator,” as this sleek character has everything you want in an SUV, less the flab. Inside the leather-lined cabin, there’s ample seating for 4, plus 8 carry-on bags. Up front, there are 14-way, heated power seats. The driver can use the paddle-shifters for maximum performance, or let the vehicle make the decisions. Powered by a 505 hp twin-turbo V6 linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission that goes from 0 top 60 in 3.3 seconds, making it ideal for the Express Lane; AlfaRomeoUSA.com. — Bill Lindsey
