2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The base-spec Alfa Romeo Giulia starts at a price of $39,345, MSRP. This excludes tax, licensing, registration, and the manufacturer's destination charge of $1,295 in the USA. Next is the Giulia Sport which is presented at a base price of $40,795, followed by four Ti models: the Ti at $41,345, the Ti Lusso at $43,845, the Ti Sport at $44,345, and the range-topping Ti Sport Carbon at $48,345. All models are rear-wheel-drive by default, but all-wheel-drive is available for an additional $2,000.

Complementing the peppy engine is a fast steering system that immediately makes the Giulia feel more engaging than many of its class rivals. Together with the quickest steering rack this side of a go-kart and a feeling that the car is always light on its feet, the Alfa is a joy to thread through the corners. There are three driving modes to choose from: Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency. In Dynamic, the steering exhibits ideal weighting, feedback is good, and body roll is kept at bay. Even the AWD versions feel more RWD-like, and the rear end will step out occasionally if encouraged - only for the overly aggressive stability control to rein things back in rapidly. The only issue is the fitment of all-season tires - their grip limits are easier to expose that you'd want.

Although reasonably refined on smooth roads, the Alfa is ultimately tuned to prioritize sportiness over comfort, so it doesn't glide down the road with the sophistication of an Audi A4 and, for some, the ride will be too firm. That said, we think the Alfa's entertaining driving experience is a fair trade for a slightly firmer ride. Wind noise and a few squeaks from the cabin are noticeable, though. The braking system is powerful and effectively brings the Alfa to a controlled stop.

Mass market vehicle production makes it easy to fall into the cookie-cutter trap, whereby cars in the same segment all seem to do the same things in a similar fashion. This is not a problem that even slightly affects the Alfa Romeo Giulia, and it's this originality that is probably the Italian luxury car's greatest achievement. It looks like nothing else in this class and also provides an engaging driving experience that sets it apart. We love the powerful, rorty turbocharged engine and the way that the steering feels more alive than in most other modern vehicles. Of course, Alfa's single-minded approach to stimulating your senses means that the Giulia isn't as polished as an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, cars that we imagine must first pass a rigorous, encyclopedia-long checklist before they ever reach the showroom floor. The Giulia's development brainstorm session likely concluded with less of a perfectly constructed checklist and more of a scattered vision board, and the result is a flawed but undeniably beguiling machine. So, while you may moan about the small trunk dimensions, the sometimes creaky cabin, and the limited rear-seat legroom, it's not a car that will ever leave you bored.

The base model is now a more attractive proposition than before considering how much it offers, as it gets the improved infotainment system shared with the more expensive trims. That being said, we'd still go for the mid-range Ti version that adds features like heated seats, 18-inch alloy wheels and front park-assist sensors. The Ti also opens up access to more available options, among them the Ti Performance Package. This being such a sporty sedan, it's the box we'd tick for even more dynamism thanks to the active suspension and the limited-slip rear differential, plus you get to enjoy those lovely paddle shifters. The full-on safety package is really expensive, so we'd opt for the cheaper active blind-spot package at $650 instead. All in, the total works out to $43,645.

The latest generation of the A4 continues to be a tremendous all-rounder with excellent handling, a more comfortable ride than the Alfa, and an interior that leads the way for build integrity and the presentation of materials. Although the Alfa does feel sportier, the A4 is by no means a dull car to drive, although steering feedback lags behind the Italian's talkative helm. The Audi easily has a more accommodating interior, though, with more space for rear-seat passengers. The A4's virtual cockpit and infotainment system are also more intuitive to use than the Alfa's admittedly improved system. If you don't want to think too hard about which luxury sedan to get next, the A4 is a smart choice that is also likely to prove more dependable than the Giulia in the long term. But if you're looking for a more exciting, evocative, and distinctive alternative, the Giulia is good enough to at least take on a test drive.

For decades, the BMW 3 Series was the easy choice for buyers looking for a luxury sedan with sharp driving dynamics. Since then, the 3 Series has grown a lot bigger and traded some of its famed dynamic sparkle for a more well-rounded driving experience. It still handles remarkably well and sticks to the road like glue, but there's more of a muted sensation from behind the wheel, and it's here that the Alfa shines more brightly. The Giulia's engine is also more powerful than the 255-horsepower unit in the price-competitive 330i, but the BMW uses what it's got well and accelerates with just as much verve as the Alfa. The BMW is the quieter highway companion, though, and its interior - although a bit plain design-wise - is roomier, more advanced, and better built than the Alfa's. The BMW also has a larger trunk, a few standard safety features that are optional on the Alfa, and returns better economy numbers. The Giulia may tug a bit harder at the heartstrings, but the BMW is a better car.