There used to be a time where your only options for a car were fast or slow. You either bought the mad turbo version that’s not-so-secretly trying to kill you or the uninspiring family friendly model. Now however, there are models for virtually every power band, with the Giulia you’re faced with three, the base model, the Veloce or the very mad Quadrifoglio.Â
The Veloce offers a great blend of both power and refinement, while the Quadrifoglio has to be driven at 100% everywhere, the Veloce is happy to slump into a motorway cruise too. Put your foot down however and you can tell it’s related to the four-leaf variant! The styling is slightly more sedated than the full fat model but it’s undeniable that this is one of the best looking compact saloons on the market.Â
The handsome Italian is powered by a humble 2.0 turbo, good for 276bhp. When you compare it to its competition, see Audi S5 and BMW 440i, it’s down on power and engine noise however it also undercuts them on price by a decent amount. It comes generously optioned too, uprated brakes are standard, the best shades of paint are free and the option packs are very reasonable too. The Performance Pack is a must have, deliciously tactile column-mounted shift paddles give a manual option for the 8-speed auto, a limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers are thrown in for just shy of two grand.Â
There are some issues with mid-sized Alfa however, the rear seats are cramped, even when compared to similar cars. The materials used are very hit and miss too, fine leathers encapsulate your body, yet a glance to the side sees sketchy plastics. In the busy hot-but-not-too-hot European market, the buyer is spoilt for choice. Fine examples from across Europe and Japan make it vital to appeal to potential customers. Thankfully, the Alfa pulls it off, an unrivalled driving experience and a friendly price should keep the compact saloon ticking over nicely.
