2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

Minor revisions to feature availabilityPart of the first Giulia generation introduced for 2017

　　German brands typically dominate the luxury sedan market. But they're not the only game in town from Europe these days. The Italians have finally brought a small sedan that Americans will want to buy: the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$168/mo  for Giulia Base

　　Giulia Base

　　4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,295 MSRP4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,295 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,745 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,745 MSRPTi 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,495 MSRPTi 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,495 MSRPTi Lusso 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $42,995 MSRPTi Lusso 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $44,995 MSRPTi Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,195 MSRPTi Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $45,195 MSRPTi Sport Carbon 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $47,995 MSRPTi Sport Carbon 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $49,995 MSRPQuadrifoglio 4dr Sedan (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $73,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The Giulia stands out with its distinctive design and performance capability. Its stylish design and execution are fresh and cohesive, and the interior is well laid out and snug. But its beauty is more than skin-deep. Underneath are potent turbocharged powerplants that drive the rear wheels through a sporty eight-speed automatic transmission.

　　The engine in the base Giulia and Giulia Ti produces a healthy 280 horsepower, and the range-topping Giulia Quadrifoglio has a Ferrari-developed turbocharged V6 that cranks out a monstrous 505 hp. In addition to the boost in power, the Quadrifoglio also comes with trick carbon-fiber parts, active aerodynamic elements, and sporty suspension settings designed for driving enthusiasts.

　　These features make it seem like the Giulia would be an instant hit. But the reality is Alfa's dealer network is small and the car is still in its first generation, so long-term reliability is questionable. Nevertheless, the 2019 Giulia could be perfect for those with a passion for Italian cars.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

6.9 / 10

　　It's been said that every true enthusiast must own an Alfa Romeo at one point in his or her life, and the 2019 Giulia could be the car to tick that box. It's stylish and dripping with personality. But this Italian, with its lack of utility and established reliability, is not without risk. But you only live once, right?

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Alfa Romeo Giulia (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Giulia has received some revisions, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Giulia, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	6.9 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	6.0
Technology	5.0

　　

Driving

8.0

　　A sport sedan must perform well across most categories to be the least bit competitive. Thanks to its electronics and uninspiring tires, the Giulia can be a little bit hit or miss when it comes to handling but not so much that you don't look for any excuse to go for a spirited drive.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　This motor offers way more excitement than the on-paper specifications would lead you to believe. It's snarly, torquey, low-revving and full of character. It's a good match for the quirky Alfa. In testing, 0-60 mph came in 5.3 seconds with quick shifts and no wheelspin from the all-wheel drive.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　The braking force is very easy to modulate with a smooth, linear response through the pedal stroke, but panic-braking tests revealed a pedal devoid of any feedback. Stability is excellent, but the long-ish 124-foot stopping distance from 60 mph can be chalked up to the low grip all-season tires.

　　

Steering

9.0

　　When driven in Dynamic mode, the way a sporting Alfa should be driven, the weighting is spot-on. And when you combine that just-right amount of effort with the accuracy, steering quickness and the near-perfect steering wheel, you can't help but go hunting for the perfect line through every corner.

　　

Handling

6.5

　　The use of lackluster all-season tires is puzzling on a sport sedan. Offering more noise than grip, they take the fun out of a spirited drive. But the non-defeatable stability control is the real buzzkill here, allowing only a tantalizing glimpse of fun.

　　

Drivability

8.5

　　Of the driving modes, Dynamic makes the most sense in the Alfa, though a case can be made for Natural in light traffic, where you still have quick shifts and access to decent power. The Alfa is always engaging, even in town, but it needs to be driven on a good road to be truly appreciated.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　The front passengers will no doubt be more impressed with the Alfa than those in the rear, but that's not too different from any other sport sedan. While tire and wind noise can fade into white noise, various creaks and groans cause mental discomfort.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　Firm but comfortable and aggressively supportive, the front seats in the Giulia are some of the best available in an already strong class. Both driver and passenger seats are heated and get six-way power adjustability. However, the rear seats lack significant legroom for adults.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　The Giulia is supple when it needs to be but well-controlled when you want it, especially at higher speeds. Sensible 18-inch wheels give you some tire sidewall to absorb imperfections, though the run-flat tires can still be a little harsh on rough roads.

　　

Noise & vibration

5.0

　　Road noise wasn't unusually high, even with the run-flat tires, but wind noise was a bit elevated at the front roof pillars and the front of the sunroof. Unfortunately, squeaks and creaks were prevalent and worrying, especially when coming from structurally important things such as the side pillars.

　　

Climate control

7.0

　　With three knobs and only a few buttons, the basic manual controls are clear and easy to use. Airflow is good from the horizontal center vents, but the auto setting had a tough time keeping the temperature and fan speed under control. Manual adjustment is the best bet.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　Since this is a driver's car, it should be no surprise that the driver comes out well ahead in the interior of the Alfa Romeo. Rear passengers won't have much room to get in or get comfortable, so it might be a bit of a fight for the shotgun seat position.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　Most of the controls in the Giulia are familiar and intuitive, even when they might be in a slightly different location, such as the start button. The multimedia control knob falls readily to hand and helps make easy use of the primary interface. There is a multitude of tedious menus.

　　

Getting in/getting out

6.0

　　Front passengers won't notice anything unusual about getting into the Giulia even with the slightly aggressive seating. Rear passengers aren't as lucky. The door openings are very small due to intruding rear wheelwells and don't provide a lot of room to get in.

　　

Driving position

9.0

　　The driver sits upright and close to the windshield in a very classic '80s European sport sedan style. It can be a bit foreign at first, but it's easy to adapt. And when driving enthusiastically, the driving position offers confidence, connectedness with the car, and a feeling of safety.

　　

Roominess

6.5

　　It's safe to say there's not a lot of room in the front of the Giulia that you don't need. If it's possible to be snug but spacious, this is it. The rear seat lacks the legroom we're accustomed to finding in much smaller cars. Adults might become uncomfortable in well under 30 minutes.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　Because of the upright seating position and its proximity to the windshield, forward visibility is excellent. But side pillars impede the driver's over-the-shoulder lane checks. The reasonably narrow front pillars are welcome on tight and twisty roads.

　　

Quality

4.0

　　Modern and stylish at first glance, the Giulia does make a good first impression, but some materials have a distinctly preproduction feel and give the car an unfinished look. Numerous creaks and electronic gremlins cast a shadow of doubt on long-term integrity.

　　

Utility

6.0

　　Style claims another victim as the Giulia lacks the generous trunk access and interior storage of most midsize sedans. But if you travel with little clutter and basic luggage, the Giulia can still be a fairly practical proposition.

　　

Small-item storage

5.5

　　There's a bit of wasted space around the shift lever and multimedia interface knob, and that's a shame since the Giulia isn't flush with interior storage. The door pockets are especially narrow, and it's best if rear passengers can keep everything in their pockets.

　　

Cargo space

6.0

　　While the 13 cubic feet of cargo capacity is similar to space in its Audi and BMW competition, the Giulia's trunk opening is high and a little narrow, making it difficult to put anything large and square into the trunk. The rear seats are 60/40-split folding and do lie relatively flat.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

6.0

　　LATCH points are easy to find and easy to access but the lack of rear-seat room might make it difficult to squeeze in larger child seats.

　　

Technology

5.0

　　Buyers not looking for a technological tour de force might be happy enough with the Giulia's stout audio system and functional navigation. Beyond that, the Alfa Romeo has a lot of catching up to do, especially on the reliability front. Tech gremlins were a constant annoyance.

　　

Audio & navigation

6.0

　　The optional Harman Kardon sound system is solid and easy to use, but the navigation system lacks sophistication, especially when compared to the one in its Audi rival, the A4. The graphics are more of an outline than a realistic rendering, and live traffic information is not available.

　　

Smartphone integration

4.5

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment. Connecting via Bluetooth is fairly straightforward but seems to take an eternity to load every time you start the car. Our test car was plagued with connection issues, system lockups and missing phones.

　　

Driver aids

6.5

　　The optional Driver Assistance Dynamic Plus package includes a well-sorted adaptive cruise with stop, lane keeping assist and a somewhat sensitive forward collision warning system. Blind-spot and cross-path detection are also optional. Sadly, the conservative stability control cannot be disabled.

　　

Voice control

4.5

　　Voice controls make a good case for using the manual control that falls quickly to hand. Word recognition wasn't particularly good, and sorting through the help menu took much more time than simply making the required change manually.

　　

Which Giulia does zzdcar recommend?

　　While the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the standard Giulia and Giulia Ti trims has respectable grunt, we recommend the Giulia Quadrifoglio for one simple reason: It's the most powerful car in its group, and it has the suspension, brakes and aerodynamics to back it up. To ensure comfort for day-to-day driving, we'd keep the standard seats and add the Driver Assistance Dynamic package for its adaptive cruise control. We've found the standard Brembo brakes and heated sport seats more than adequate, so there's little reason to get the pricey carbon-ceramic brakes.

　　

2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia models

　　The 2019 Giulia comes in six trims: the entry-level Giulia and Giulia Sport; the midtier Ti, Ti Sport and Ti Lusso; and the high-performance Quadrifoglio. The Giulia and Ti models come with a nice amount of standard equipment and are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (280 horsepower, 306 pound-feet) that puts its power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is also available for all 2.0-liter cars. The Quadrifoglio demonstrates the full potential of the car, including a Ferrari-derived turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine (505 hp, 443 lb-ft).

　　Some of the key standard exterior features on the base Giulia include 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, Brembo brakes, xenon headlights, automatic wipers, and rear parking sensors. Inside, you'll find remote keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, adjustable drive models, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch central display, three USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard.

　　The Giulia Sport trim adds unique front and rear fascias, 18-inch wheels, gloss-black window trim and painted brake calipers. The Sport Interior package is still an option that includes aluminum trim, column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters, a leather steering wheel and sport pedals.

　　If you're looking to upgrade the infotainment system for either of the above trims, the Navigation package includes an 8.8-inch central infotainment display, navigation, a rotary controller and satellite radio. A complement to this would be the 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

　　A Cold Weather package is specific to the Giulia and Giulia Sport trims, and it adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel and heated washer nozzles. All Giulias can be equipped with heated rear seats.

　　There are also two levels of active driving assist packages. The Driver Assistance Static package includes front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and auto-dimming exterior mirrors. The Driver Assistance Dynamic Plus package adds adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and a heat-reducing infrared reflective windshield.

　　The Giulia Ti comes with everything the Giulia model has, plus 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, the 8.8-inch display (navigation is an option), satellite radio and the aforementioned Cold Weather package. Adaptive xenon headlights are a stand-alone option.

　　The Ti Sport adds 19-inch alloy wheels, sport front seats (a worthwhile upgrade) and everything from the Sport trim and Sport Interior package mentioned above.

　　The Ti Lusso trim is more luxury-oriented and has different 18-inch wheels, comfort-oriented front seats, upgraded leather interior trim, an upgraded steering wheel and an interior air quality system. If you just want a leather interior, it's available as a Leather package.

　　The Ti Sport Performance package provides an additional step toward Quadrifoglio performance on the Ti Sport trim with adaptive suspension dampers and a mechanical limited-slip rear differential. And if you'd prefer just the performance package items without the Sport trim's aesthetics and interior bits, Alfa Romeo offers the Ti Performance package, which also includes the column-mounted paddle shifters. The Harman Kardon premium audio system is an option as well.

　　The Giulia Quadrifoglio is the star of this show with its 505-hp V6 engine. It comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and features fuel-saving cylinder deactivation. Sadly, the six-speed manual transmission available in Europe isn't available in the U.S.-market models at this time.

　　The good news for buyers is that the Quadrifoglio's list of standard equipment is lengthy. It includes a high-performance Brembo brake system and a torque-vectoring rear differential that can transfer 100 percent of available power to either rear wheel. A two-mode exhaust with bypass valves offers varying levels of engine music depending on your mood, and a carbon-fiber active front splitter adjusts for more aerodynamic downforce at speeds above 75 mph. An adaptive suspension and 19-inch wheels with super-sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires round out the big hardware items.

　　Looking over the Quadrifoglio, you'll be able to pick out the aggressive model-specific details such as the front fascia, grille, carbon trunk spoiler, bi-xenon adaptive headlights, and rear diffuser with quad exhaust tips. But beneath the painted surfaces hides a lightweight hood and roof made of carbon fiber. Moving inside, you'll find carbon-fiber trim, additional drive modes, and almost all of the features that are optional on the less expensive Giulias.

　　A few options are available at the Quadrifoglio level. They include the Driver Assistance Dynamic Plus package mentioned earlier, leather and simulated-suede ultra-high-performance Sparco carbon-fiber racing seats (driver and front passenger seats with two-way and four-way power adjustments, respectively, and no heat), a carbon-fiber-detailed steering wheel and an ultra-high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic brake system.

　　

2019 Giulia Highlights

Type: SedanQuadrifoglioSedan

　　Trim: BaseSportTiTi LussoTi SportTi Sport CarbonQuadrifoglioBase

　　

Base MSRP	$38,295
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles