Alfa Romeo Giulia review

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is tailor-made for anyone bored with the oh-so-familiar line-up of German executive saloons on their company car list.

Few car-making nations offer a finer-looking four-wheeled breath of fresh air than the Italians. Yet, unlike some of its predecessors, the Alfa Giulia shouldn’t be dismissed as an oddball or irrational choice, even if it is a niche one; there’s more substance to back up the style this time round.

Unlike its predecessors, the Giulia is driven by its rear wheels rather than those at the front. This switch from front to rear-wheel drive allows the car to sit more comfortably next to rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class than the old 159 did, while the use of lightweight aluminium in the car’s structure and bodywork should be good news for fuel-efficiency and cornering poise. Remember, too, that as well as BMW and Mercedes, the Giulia is also up against the Audi’s A4, our former Car of the Year, and the Jaguar XE.

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The engine range is made up of a couple of 2.2-litre diesels, with either 158 or 188bhp, two 2.0-litre turbocharged petrols, with 197bhp or 276bhp, and a range-topping twin-turbo 2.9 V6 Quadrifoglio version with 503bhp, which we've reviewed separately. All come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard; there’s no option to have a manual 'box.

Read the next few pages for everything you need to know about the Alfa Romeo Giulia, including which engine, trim level and options make the most sense. And if you decide you want to buy a Giulia, or indeed any other car, head over to the New Car Buying section of our website to find out how much you could save.