Overview
From its flagrantly sporty exterior to its chic cabin, the Giulia exudes Italian flavor, even in its base trim. To live up to its looks and heritage, an Italian car must also provide a thrilling driving experience, and the Giulia delivers. Its agile handling and gutsy turbocharged engine make it an enthusiast’s delight. To help it gain a foothold in the very competitive sports-sedan class, the Alfa Romeo undercuts most rivals on price. But its unknown reliability and build-quality issues remain Alfa’s biggest obstacles to success as a returning player in the U.S. market.
What’s New for 2017?
The Giulia is a new model from the revitalized Alfa Romeo brand and, along with the high-performance Giulia Quadrifoglio (reviewed separately), sets its sights on premium, entry-luxury sports sedans from rival European manufacturers.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Giulia’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four makes 280 hp, sounds intoxicating, and feels gutsy when driven hard. Yet, somewhat disappointingly, it only powers the Giulia to a midpack finish in our acceleration tests, and it’s only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. But even without a manual gearbox, the Giulia’s zippy turbo power, athletic chassis with responsive steering, and strong braking performance make it an enthusiast’s dream come true. Additionally, it’s an easy car to live with for a daily commute, thanks to its comfortable ride. Body roll is well controlled, and in hard corners the Giulia remains flat and predictable. It’s easy to drive quickly and aggressively, but it’s equally comfortable when driven sedately.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Giulia’s beautifully designed interior looks convincingly upscale, with soft-touch plastics, fine leather, and either textured metallic or genuine wood trimmings, depending on trim level. Cheaper plastics in the center console near the shifter strike the one discordant note. The seats are comfortable and well bolstered—especially the optional sport seats—and occupants in front will have little to complain about because of the Giulia’s generous legroom and adequate headroom. However, those in the rear will feel more cramped. Trunk space and rear-seat flexibility approach best-in-class levels, but the Giulia is let down by impractical small-item storage throughout the cabin.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Giulia’s infotainment system is reasonably responsive, and using it is a snap. All Giulias feature a standard 6.5-inch or optional 8.8-inch display, tucked in between the dash top and the central climate-control vents. Three USB ports, an auxiliary input jack, and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity are all standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available for 2017 but will make an appearance on 2018 Giulia models.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer’s CPO program.
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