The Alfa Romeo Giulia Is a Decade Old and Somehow Still the One Enthusiasts Want

All three reviews arrive at a similar verdict: nearly ten years after launch, with tech that's visibly aged and no fully electric version in sight, the Giulia remains one of the most genuinely rewarding saloons to actually drive in its class.

Illustration for editorial purposes

Getting Old Gracefully, Mostly Through Sheer Driving Talent

Few cars this age can still credibly compete against fresher German rivals. Reviewers keep crediting the Giulia's fundamental chassis engineering — nailed at launch — with carrying it further than its ageing infotainment or interior tech ever could alone.

Specs at a Glance

Body style	Executive saloon
Engine	2.0L turbo petrol (276bhp), 2.9L V6 Bi-Turbo (513bhp Quadrifoglio)
Transmission	8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive or Q4 all-wheel drive
Platform	Giorgio platform, shared with the Stelvio
Production run	Since 2015, extended through 2027 for the Quadrifoglio

Full Review Summary

Top Gear

Top Gear praised the driving position as superb and the steering as fantastically quick, giving the Giulia an almost rear-wheel-steer-like nimbleness that rivals struggle to match. They rated the extensive use of aluminium in the doors, wings and suspension, plus a carbon-fibre driveshaft, as delivering genuine handling benefits from a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, concluding it remains the first properly compelling Alfa rival to the Germans in over a decade.

What Car?

What Car? praised a naturally smooth, well-weighted brake pedal and a comfortable, electrically adjustable sporty driving position, though rated the infotainment as feeling genuinely outdated, with grainy graphics and slow responses next to the sharper BMW 3 Series. They found interior quality respectable with soft-touch surfaces and metal inserts around the gear selector, addressing early build-quality criticisms, though noted Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require a cable rather than working wirelessly.

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Autocar

Autocar's road test confirmed Alfa shelved plans for an electric-only successor, instead extending the current Giulia's life and reopening order books for the 513bhp V6 Quadrifoglio, welcome news for enthusiasts given rivals have moved toward hybrid systems and touch-sensitive controls. They rated the 276bhp standard petrol as still delivering genuine driver engagement, and praised the Veloce trim's value at £48,800 for buyers willing to forgo the adaptive Synaptic Dynamic Control dampers.

Trims & Engines at a Glance

The core range runs a single 2.0-litre petrol engine across every trim, with no diesel or hybrid option — the reopened Quadrifoglio is the only way to get more power.

Derivative	Engine	Power	Transmission	Body	0–62mph
Giulia Sprint	2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, RWD	280bhp	8-speed automatic	Saloon	5.7s
Giulia Veloce	2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, RWD	280bhp	8-speed automatic	Saloon	5.7s
Giulia Tributo Italiano	2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, RWD	280bhp	8-speed automatic	Saloon	5.7s
Giulia Quadrifoglio	2.9L twin-turbo V6 petrol, RWD	513bhp	8-speed automatic	Saloon	3.9s

Trim walk runs Sprint → Veloce → Tributo Italiano, with the reopened Quadrifoglio sitting apart as its own performance flagship. A broad exterior colour range is offered, with several metallic and premium finishes available at extra cost. Check Alfa Romeo's UK configurator for current pricing.

Strengths

Genuinely engaging, rear-wheel-drive-honed handling
Fast, precise steering with real feedback
Distinctive Italian styling that's aged well
Improved interior quality over earlier examples

Weak points

Infotainment system feels genuinely dated next to newer rivals
No plug-in hybrid or fully electric version currently available
Wired-only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Expired Euro NCAP rating, last tested back in 2016

Who It Actually Suits

Buyers who prioritise genuine driving engagement and distinctive Italian character over the latest technology or hybrid efficiency. The Quadrifoglio remains a genuine treat for enthusiasts specifically, now with its life extended through 2027.