2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Review: The Joy Of The Drive

The Giulia proves that Alfa Romeo has not lost its ability to build excellent sports sedans. This compact executive sports car oozes Italian style but also drives just as well as its German counterparts. Under the hood of this shapely donna sits a feisty turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing a strong 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful than its German rivals. That's enough to get the new Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan to 60 mph in only 5.1 seconds when equipped with all-wheel drive. This Italian exec goes up against the best of the best: the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Both Germans have the edge for quality and tech, and they also have more space for passengers seated at the back. However, while many cars in this class come across as somewhat clinical, our review of the Alfa Romeo Giulia demonstrates that it's anything but. This Italian isn't without flaws, but its sheer beauty and fun-to-drive nature make it a standout option in this class.

What's the Price of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia?

The cheapest model in the revised Giulia lineup is the Sprint, which has an MSRP starting at $44,280. Next is the Ti which starts at $46,320, while the Veloce starts at $49,920. At the time of writing, the Lusso was unavailable to order from Alfa's website, but it is expected to retail for around the same price as the Veloce. The most expensive derivative is the Estrema at $55,420.

The all-wheel-drive system is an optional extra, available across the entire range, retailing for $2,000. Over and above the base price of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa adds a further $1,595 as a destination and handling fee, which is a little expensive compared to the equivalent prices for the same fees from rival brands.

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Handling And Driving Impressions

Cars in the compact executive class have become mildly sterile, and unless you go for a full-bore AMG or M Performance model, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series can feel a bit lifeless. That's where the Giulia comes in. This Italian executive feels lively and offers crisp and razor-sharp turn-in, making the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia feel sportier than its German competitors. This liveliness translates to the rear, where you can quickly lose traction and end up with some oversteering fun if you jab the throttle too suddenly. The car's traction and stability control systems, along with its solid brakes, keep things in check. This sporty nature will appeal to gear heads, but it comes with a slight penalty to ride comfort: it's pretty stiff. If you're after an entertaining car, the passionate Alfa is for you, but if you want something more refined for the long road, go for something like the C-Class.

The 280-hp engine is more powerful than most 2.0-liter turbo-fours of its kind, and it works well with the sorted chassis to create an engaging driving experience.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia A Good Car?

When the Giulia first arrived on the scene, it was a breath of fresh air. Here was a car that brought fun back into the corporate exec class. A few years on, and nothing has changed. The Giulia is still just as fun to drive, and for 2023, feels even more accomplished, thanks to the addition of a few more trims. Under the hood, that 2.0-liter turbocharged four shines bright, and we adore the chassis and suspension setup, even if it feels a bit stiff around town. The standard spec sheet is impressive, and there are some good options to choose from too. It's when the emphasis shifts away from the driver that the car becomes less impressive; not everyone will enjoy the taut ride quality and the back seat feels cramped. But for a small family with younger kids, living with the spirited Giulia isn't a complete chore. If you can live with its compromises, you won't be disappointed.

What 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Model Should I Buy?

The base Sprint is a very attractive model. Retailing at $44,280, it already comes with leather upholstery and a suite of driver-assistance features, and most drivers won't miss the limited-slip differential all that much. At least the aluminum paddles are standard on this trim. Having said that, there isn't a large gap between the Sprint and the Ti, and the latter opens up more optional extras, including the advanced safety kit.

The sweet spot in the range is, therefore, the $46,320 Ti. Its bigger wheels fill out the wheel arches better and it has a standard sunroof. It looks glorious inside with the optional Saddle Brown leather and you can upgrade it further with the Premium Interior and Sound or the Active Assist Plus packages, neither of which are available on the Sprint.