The Alfa Romeo Junior Looks the Part — Whether It Drives the Part Is More Complicated
All three reviews circle the same tension: genuinely striking styling and a badge built on driving passion, wrapped around mechanicals shared with several far less glamorous Stellantis siblings.
A Small Car Carrying a Lot of Hope
Few single models have been asked to do as much for a struggling brand's fortunes as this one. Reviewers keep noting it's already succeeding commercially — the real question is whether it succeeds on Alfa's own terms too.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Small SUV / crossover |
|---|---|
| Powertrains | Ibrida mild-hybrid petrol (136bhp), Elettrica (154bhp), Elettrica Veloce (276-280bhp) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic (Ibrida) or single-speed (electric) |
| 0–62mph | 9.0 sec (Elettrica) to 5.9-6.0 sec (Veloce) |
| Electric range | Up to 255 miles official (Elettrica) |
| Price range (new) | From around £27,895 |
Full Review Summary
Autocar
Autocar found it the most dynamic Stellantis model yet built on this shared platform, delivering enough poise and precision to keep keen drivers interested even in standard form, though conceded it doesn't quite sparkle with true Alfa spirit. They measured it at just 4173mm long — more family hatchback than genuine SUV despite the marketing — and praised distinctive styling cues drawing on the brand's heritage, including the "scudetto" grille shape and "telephono" wheel design.
What Car?
What Car? was more critical of the standard car's dynamics, finding the suspension soft with noticeable body lean and a spongy, hard-to-modulate brake pedal, rating the Ford Puma as sharper and more confidence-inspiring on a twisty road. They did praise a supple, comfortable ride that irons out most bumps better than the firmer Puma, and noted the brand placed a respectable 17th out of 30 manufacturers in their reliability survey, ahead of Renault and Volvo.
Top Gear
Top Gear's long-term test praised the hot Elettrica Veloce specifically, with a limited-slip differential and stiffened suspension delivering genuine, playful handling that felt entertaining rather than merely competent — a rare compliment among reviewers for this generation of Stellantis-platform small SUVs. They flagged the electric versions' real-world range as limiting for one-car households, and found cabin materials on standard trims feeling notably cheaper than the exterior styling promised, with scratchy plastics a recurring complaint.
Strengths
- Genuinely distinctive, heritage-referencing styling
- Comfortable, well-judged ride on standard versions
- Elettrica Veloce delivers genuinely engaging, playful handling
- Competitive pricing against key rivals
Weak points
- Standard versions lack sharpness compared with the Ford Puma
- Cabin materials feel cheaper than the exterior styling suggests
- Electric range limiting for one-car households
- Spongy, hard-to-modulate brake pedal feel
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers drawn to distinctive styling and a badge with genuine heritage who don't need class-leading handling from the standard version. The Elettrica Veloce is worth seeking out specifically if you want a taste of genuine Alfa driving character, even if it costs a real premium over the standard car.