Final answer:
The step in the consumer decision process that is illustrated by Stephen's action of visiting dealerships to test-drive the cars he has selected is evaluating alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The step in the consumer decision process that is illustrated by Stephen's action of visiting dealerships to test-drive the cars he has selected is A) evaluating alternatives. In this step, the consumer gathers information about different options and assesses their suitability based on personal experience and preferences. By test-driving the cars, Stephen is evaluating how they feel and performing a hands-on assessment of their performance and features.