The Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn’t really in need of a facelift (yet), but the Italian carmaker has started working on one with our spies spotting the first prototypes on the road, which included both regular and Quadrifoglio variants.

Visually, the red Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio tester spied doesn’t look any different than the current model. Of course, its front and rear fascias are covered in camouflage, so there’s a chance something’s hiding under there. Either way, by the time the updated Stelvio does launch, we do anticipate to see minor tweaks made to the front and rear bumpers and possibly even the lighting units on both ends.

What about the interior?

The cabin of the facelifted Alfa Romeo Stelvio will also be tweaked and our spy photographers were able to snap some photos of one of prototype’s interior before engineers could cover them up. The most apparent changes made to the cabin are focused on the redesigned lower center console.

Look closely and you’ll notice a slightly different gear selector and surround, as well as the separate button for the electronic parking brake to the left of it (instead of being integrated on the gear lever, as is now). The chrome trim then slopes away from the buttons and dials and nicely meets up with the redesigned foldable, and possibly slidable armrest.

Elsewhere, the cabin looks much the same with identical climate control buttons and dials, a large infotainment system, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and large paddle shifters.

But wait, there could be more changes coming

As is always the case, it’s important to point out that this is an early prototype and more styling changes could be made to the interior and exterior before the SUV hits the market. We will see other updates and tweaks too, including to the engine range, chassis and tech and comfort features.

When will we see it?

According to Alfa Romeo’s most recent product plan, both the Stelvio and the Giulia are scheduled for a facelift, which the Italians call “MCA” for mid-cycle action, that will include long-wheelbase versions for the Chinese market in 2022. There is a (small) possibility that Alfa might introduce some of the interior and trim revisions seen here as part of a minor model year update for 2020, but to date, we haven’t heard any chatter on that from our sources.

As the Giulia is essentially a sedan version of the Stelvio, it should benefit from the same interior and exterior alterations.

Photo credits: CarPix for Carscoops