The Alfa Romeo Giulia Is Still Charming Without the V-6

There is a purpose so many lovers fawn over the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. That automotive was mainly developed by Maranello’s high engineers after a sequence of lengthy espresso breaks. It has a Ferrari-derived V-6 engine, suspension parts modeled after the 488 Pista, and a myriad of aluminum parts that translate to a very epic driving expertise.

However when you take away the V-6, is the Giulia any good? The quick reply is ‘sure.’ Even the bottom Giulia with a four-cylinder engine is charming. The Veloce mannequin examined right here has practically as a lot character because the hot-pot Quadrifoglio, however begs a much more cheap $51,035 asking worth.

The Veloce’s turbocharged 2.0-liter is the one ding towards an in any other case wonderful luxurious sports activities sedan. The engine feels unremarkable, burdened by a tinge an excessive amount of low-end lag. Even if you tick the drive mode selector over to D for Dynamic, the sharper tuning does not make the mill really feel any extra playful.

With 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet in comparison with the Quad’s 505 horses, there’s a severe gulf in energy. However that is nonetheless sufficient to maneuver the Giulia out of its personal means and on to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. And also you even get a soundtrack of some mild turbo whooshing throughout onerous throttle functions. The usual eight-speed computerized transmission is fairly nameless, too.

Now the good things. The suspension and steering are *Italian arms movement.* The steering is fast and responsive, telling you precisely the place the automotive’s nostril is pointed. The Alfa has a good 11.8:1 steering ratio in comparison with the BMW 330i’s 14.1:1. On this Veloce mannequin, you get a limited-slip differential and stickier summer time tires, which assist the already dynamic chassis really feel extra energetic.

Professionals: Attractive Design, Glorious Chassis, Luxurious Cabin

A near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution on this Veloce mannequin yields unimaginable steadiness and it comes with customary rear-wheel drive (though, all-wheel drive is obtainable as an choice). The suspension has wonderful damping and a good rebound curve that retains the automotive flat in corners, however nonetheless playful. And the Giulia is lighter than the comparable Audi or BMW because of the aluminum physique panels that trickle down from the Quad.

However the journey is harsher than the three Collection or Audi A4. Even on lengthy, easy stretches of freeway I may really feel the slightest imperfections bumping beneath. The 19-inch wheels and low-profile rubber on this Veloce mannequin most likely do not assist.

The inside does not really feel like a lot of a downgrade from the Quad, although. Alfa’s updates for 2024 make the cabin genuinely luxurious, not only a assortment of items cobbled collectively from the Stellantis components pin. The purple leather-based sport seats (a $750 choice) are incredible to have a look at and even higher to take a seat in; wonderful bolstering, form-fitting really feel, and the oft-neglected prolonged thigh assist.

There is a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to go along with the 8.8-inch touchscreen. Tech-savvy kids should not have any situation with the Alfa’s clear interface and easy-to-access choices. Though, the display did lag like an early 2000’s smartphone at instances. And you continue to have to plug in to entry Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Cons: Bland Engine, Harsh Experience, Laggy Touchscreen

Above all, the Giulia is the best-looking automotive within the class by a big margin. The “Scudetto” grille is flanked on both facet by up to date headlights for 2024 that give the automotive a extra aggressive character, and the large snarling intakes on the base of the bumper look nice too.

The Veloce mannequin is the most affordable model of the Giulia with customary 19-inch wheels, and these footwear look beautiful. The dual 10-spokes are practically equivalent to the Quad’s 19-inch wheels and provides the automotive a great stance. The four-leaf clover badge and the quad exhaust ideas are the one issues lacking.

Logic will inform you that the BMW 3 Collection and Audi A4 are higher choices, particularly given Alfa’s historical past of questionable reliability. However typically love outweighs logic, and the Giulia’s lovely styling, chic efficiency, and upscale cabin will definitely have your coronary heart fluttering.