Flash Drive

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia

December 27, 2017 - Featured, Flash Drive - Comments: 
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Model Tested: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia is all about the driving experience. The styling is crisp and athletic.

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 280 horsepower, 306 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 23-mpg city/31-mpg highway/26-mpg combined

Base Price: $41,995

As Tested: $49,340

Performance:

Exhilarating performance; a true sport sedan

Sport suspension is great on twisty roads

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti has a useable trunk with a flat floor, but cargo capacity isn’t a strong point.

Precision steering and chassis

Powerful engine with an enthusiastic exhaust note

All-wheel-drive

Three drive modes: D=dynamic (sport), N=normal, A= advanced efficiency (Eco)

Powerful Brembo brakes

Nice tractable car around town

An IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Great fun to drive

Comfort:

Superb high performance front sports seats

Power adjustable side bolsters for tight secure fit

The Alfa Romeo Giulia interior (especially with optional sport seats) is outstanding up front and merely passable in back.

Power adjustable lumbar support both front seats

Manual adjustable thigh support

Stretch-out front legroom

Rear legroom compromised by front seats

Rear seats OK if fronts up significantly

Thick, nicely contoured heated leather steering wheel with flat bottom

Good range tilt/telescopic steering column

Excellent headroom

Very tall rear seat floor tunnel

Tight rear seat access

Utility:

Small door bins

Two flimsy seatback cargo nets

The Alfa Romeo Giulia has a dial left of the shifter that controls the three driving modes.

Medium locking glovebox dominated by owner’s manual

Small, narrow sunvisors slide 3-inches

Dim lighting on vanity mirrors

Medium size trunk with flat floor

Small trunk lid opening

Rain sensitive wipers

WOW Factors:

Great driving experience

It’s a car you want to drive

Sharp, aggressive styling including iconic Alfa grille

Top-notch driver/front passenger accommodations

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti with AWD is the kind of car that makes you long for twisty, unpopulated backroads.

Whines:

Awkward rear seat ingress/egress

Snug backseat accommodations

Limited interior storage bins

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Guilia is an exciting, very engaging compact luxury sport sedan. It’s very much a driver’s car placing a premium on performance and front row comfort. Additional passengers and cargo are welcome, but not warmly. The Alfa Romeo Guilia relies more on charm and overall driving pleasure than gimmicky technology. In today’s advancing autonomous transportation scene the Alfa is a welcome throwback.