By Matt DeLorenzo
Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S. hinges on the success of the all-new Giulia sedan, and the Italian make’s attention to the mechanical details and the driving dynamics bodes well for this effort. The Giulia is a stylish, compact sedan that offers enthusiast-grade performance at a price that makes it competitive with German rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. While the styling could be a touch more distinctive, there’s no mistaking its Italian roots when you look at the traditional Alfa grille and hear the bark of the exhaust, especially from the high-performance Quadrifoglio Verde model.
…you have a hankering to someday own a sporty Italian sedan that displays certain flair in the way it looks, and more important, in the way it drives.
…prestige from an established brand means more to you than the hardware itself. Alfa, except for the very limited numbers of 8C and 4C sports coupes, has been invisible in the U.S. market. The brand has some catching up to do on cachet.
What's New for 2017
The all-new Giorgio platform developed by Alfa Romeo underpins this 4-door. This rear-drive (RWD) chassis with optional all-wheel drive (AWD) capability will provide the basis for a new generation of cars and crossover SUVs from the marque.
The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia has a tidy footprint. Its compact size, snug sport seats and responsive steering are the stuff of which legendary sports...
... sedans are made. In base rear-drive form or the slightly tauter Ti versions in either rear- or optional all-wheel drive, the Giulia provides spirited handling and a relaxed ride thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution and a willing 280-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The smooth-shifting 8-speed torque-converter automatic provides quick shifts whether left to its own devices or controlled via steering-column-mounted paddles. For the ultimate in performance, opt for the range-topping rear-drive-only Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) trim level with its Ferrari-produced 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, which pumps out 505 horsepower. For those lucky enough to own the QV (which stands for “4-leaf clover”), they’ll find a car capable of being an everyday driver if left in Comfort mode and yet has the chops to make it a track-day hero.
DNA DRIVE MODES
Alfa’s changeable driving-mode system offers three settings: Dynamic, Normal and Advanced Efficiency. The beauty is that there is a discernable effect at each step where the steering effort, throttle input and even the exhaust note get progressively aggressive. The QV has a bonus Race mode to minimize stability-control intervention.
Q4 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Optional on the Ti trim, Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel drive turns this rear-drive sports sedan into an all-season tourer with the ability to deliver up to 60 percent of available torque to the front wheels.
Interior
In addition to sounding like a high-performance Italian sports sedan, the Giulia also looks the part, especially on the interior. The design has a large flowing dash with a neatly integrated display screen (6.5-inch standard, 8.8 inches on higher trims), plenty of soft-touch material, genuine Italian leather and a choice of real wood accents or brushed aluminum and carbon fiber for a performance-oriented look. A traditional shifter lever, redundant switches for the climate control and sound system and a rotary control for the center screen allow the driver easy access to all vehicle systems with minimal distraction.
The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia is a handsome car. The only criticism is the silhouette, which is vaguely similar to a certain German competitor. But the detailing itself rings truer to the car’s Italian heritage from the traditional Alfa triangle grille to the gentle sculpting of the body surfaces. This powerful-looking car gains more presence as you move up to the Ti and QV models, thanks to larger wheel-and-tire packages. The optional sport pack on the Ti brings the same carbon-fiber rear-deck spoiler used on the QV, while the latter has its own distinctive automatic deploying front chin spoiler.
The equipment list is fairly comprehensive for the Giulia, which includes Brembo disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather interior, dual-zone climate control, push-button start mounted on the steering wheel, rearview camera with cross-traffic detection, park sensors, keyless entry, advanced brake assist, bi-xenon headlights and 6-way-power seats. Step up to the Ti model and you get 18-inch wheels, heated seats and steering wheel, and gray wood interior trim. The fully loaded QV includes 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, 12-way-adjustable sport seats, carbon-fiber and aluminum accents, LED running lights and rear carbon-fiber spoiler.
Upgrades include a 900-watt premium harman/kardon sound system, dual-pane sunroof and on Ti models, Q4 all-wheel drive, Sport and Lusso packages including 12-way-adjustable sport seats and 18- and 19-inch wheels as well as navigation. QV buyers can opt for carbon-ceramic disc brakes and Sparco high-performance sport seats.
There are two engines in the lineup, the base turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder and the Ferrari-developed and -built 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6. In keeping with their pedigree, both engines have exhaust notes that are uniquely Italian. The only gearbox offered on the Giulia is an 8-speed torque-converter automatic that provides smooth, sure and swift shifts.
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
280 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
306 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/33 mpg
2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6
505 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg
Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.
Prices start at $37,995 for the Giulia and $39,995 for the Ti model plus $995 delivery. The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is stickered at $72,000, with a higher delivery charge of $1,595. The Alfa Giulia slightly undercuts the BMW 330i’s sticker, while besting that car’s horsepower by 32 ponies. While the QV is about $6,000 more than the M3, it too has a significant 80-horsepower edge in output. Check out the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles for sale near you.
