Welcome to the forum.
The HK upgrade isn’t awesome. It seems less bad in my 2018 and I do in fact have CarPlay/AA. What I’m finding is that the system works fine and has negligible lag compared to the 2012 Kia Optima I sold for this car. The Alfa is much more fun and I always look back at it when walking away. The Kia had similar radio with a little better sub. The sub is 99% of the problem in the Alfa.
If you want a driving experience, the Alfa is probably equivalent to a Macan GTS or even Macan Turbo for nearly $20k less. If you want a highway cruiser and never plan to go canyon carving the new X3 is more competent than ever before and the Mercedes GLC is fantastic if a trifle boat like. Alfa is not a make you buy based on a pros and cons list on a yellow legal pad, you buy an Alfa because you want an Alfa.
Thanks for the color. We went and test drove the NX F-Sport, and while it has some decent kick and the interior is a bit more luxurious, I'm leaning toward the Stelvio. The standard stereo is a level better than the HK upgrade, and it does a decent job in Sport+ mode, but the front grill is hideous, the infotainment screen isn't user friendly, and it doesn't have the rear wheel bias -- which so far makes the difference. There's a bit more roll in the turns than I experienced in the Selvio, and the wheel tightens up just a bit too much in Sport and Sport+ mode.
We tested the X3, and it was easily the first we crossed off the list. Sluggish and very average handling. Not nearly as attractive as the Stelvio.
We tested the Q5, and while I really think it's the best *overall*, all things being equal, the driving *experience* doesn't measure up to the Stelvio.
Long story short, we're going to take another spin in the Stelvio.
It really feels like Alfa is hitting shots from half-court and missing some layups. Therein my concern/frustration.
Q: How do you like the Apple CarPlay? Do you find it useful, or is it just a shiny object that you could do without?