The Alfa Romeo Giulia has garnered attention for both its imperfections and its undeniable allure. Yet, for those who appreciate automotive passion, these minor shortcomings fade into insignificance when confronted with the Giulia’s old-school charm, breathtaking design, and exhilarating performance. In a market saturated with sport sedans, the Giulia stands apart, offering a unique driving experience that has captivated enthusiasts. To dwell on minor flaws would be akin to complaining about the plastic cup at a Super Bowl – a trivial concern amidst a spectacular experience.
My first encounter with the Giulia Quadrifoglio, often abbreviated as QV or QF, was at Sonoma Raceway in 2016. Boasting a Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 engine producing 505 horsepower and a top speed of 191 mph, the Quadrifoglio variant understandably stole the spotlight. However, I recognized that the majority of buyers would gravitate towards the turbocharged four-cylinder Giulia, primarily due to its more accessible base price of $39,190, a stark contrast to the Quadrifoglio’s $75,295. Consequently, I prioritized securing a rear-wheel-drive Giulia Ti for an extended test drive in New York, the home base of The Drive.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti in red showcasing its stylish front grille and headlights
Image: The 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti’s front profile, highlighting its iconic grille and design elements.
Contrary to reports of glitches and reliability concerns that have plagued other Giulia test vehicles, this Alfa Romeo performed flawlessly. Instead of the fresh start Alfa Romeo desperately sought after its American market retreat in 1995, the Giulia’s initial issues unfortunately reinforced outdated stereotypes about unreliable Italian cars.
However, the Giulia also reinforced another, more positive Italian stereotype, particularly during an exhilarating day of rally-style driving on a snow-covered track at Monticello Motor Club: when an Alfa Romeo sedan is performing at its peak, it delivers an unparalleled driving experience. While cars like the BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C63, Cadillac ATS-V, and Porsche Panamera are undoubtedly exceptional, the Alfa Romeo possesses a distinct character. It embodies the closest sensation to a four-door Ferrari accessible to the average consumer.
Alfa Romeo Giulia interior showcasing leather seats and dashboard design
Image: Interior view of the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia, emphasizing its comfortable seating and Italian-designed dashboard.
Surprisingly, even with minor performance shortcomings, the Giulia, in both four-cylinder and QV configurations, offers an overwhelmingly joyful driving experience, especially when tackling corners. This is largely attributed to its incredibly quick 11.8:1 steering ratio, requiring only 2.3 turns lock-to-lock, surpassing many sports cars. Yet, the Giulia never feels overly sensitive or unstable; it maintains a sense of perfect balance. The slender, light-effort steering wheel enhances the intimate and connected handling, making it feel as though the Giulia responds to the slightest touch. In terms of steering and chassis feedback, the Cadillac ATS-V is perhaps the closest competitor. However, the Cadillac lacks the Alfa’s aggressive cornering ability and provides less tactile feedback from the road and front wheels. Ultimately, the Alfa Romeo simply offers a more engaging and enjoyable driving experience.
The Giulia’s performance drawbacks begin with the absence of a manual transmission option in the American market. While understandable for a Porsche Panamera, the Giulia, with its ideal 50/50 weight distribution and finely tuned chassis, practically begs for a manual gearbox. To whoever made this decision at Alfa Romeo, the omission is truly regrettable. As a consolation, the Quadrifoglio does feature elegant aluminum paddle shifters for its eight-speed automatic transmission. These are available as part of a Sport package on the four-cylinder Giulia, but were absent in the “Lusso” luxury trim of the test car. This resulted in using the Giulia’s less-than-ideal plastic console shifter, which feels like a budget version of BMW’s electronic shifter. For those seeking a sportier feel, the optional Ferrari-style paddle shifters are highly recommended.
Close-up of the plastic gear shifter in the Alfa Romeo Giulia
Image: Detail shot of the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia’s plastic-coated gear shifter, highlighting its design.
Another area for improvement is the brakes. While the stopping power, thanks to substantial Brembo discs, is impressive, the pedal feel lacks refinement. The Giulia employs Continental’s brake-by-wire system, eliminating the mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the brakes themselves. Instead, pedal pressure sends electronic signals to a module that manages the brake booster, ABS, and stability control. The system attempts to replicate the feedback of traditional brakes, using a computer and actuator to translate commands into hydraulic force. However, Alfa Romeo needs to fine-tune this system to achieve a more progressive and natural pedal feel, mimicking the increasing resistance of conventional brakes. In city driving, the Alfa’s brakes can occasionally feel overly sensitive, almost like an on/off switch.
Interior of the Alfa Romeo Giulia showcasing dashboard and steering wheel
Image: The 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia’s cabin, showcasing the gracefully designed dashboard and steering wheel.
Practicality and perception are other considerations. Rear-seat legroom is limited, although headroom is adequate. Front seat cushions are somewhat short, particularly for taller occupants. The trunk opening is small, and surprisingly, folding rear seats or a cargo pass-through are absent. The trunk lid also exhibited a noticeable wobble when closed. Front doors close with a less solid sound compared to German rivals.
Another peculiarity is the inability to fully disable traction or stability control in the four-cylinder Giulia (a feature available in the Quadrifoglio). While these systems are generally unobtrusive until significant wheel slip occurs, experienced drivers who desire complete control, especially in challenging conditions like snow, might prefer the option of fully отключение electronic aids.
Alfa Romeo Giulia front view highlighting its unique grille and badge
Image: Frontal perspective of the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia, emphasizing its distinctive triangular grille and Alfa Romeo badge.
Despite these points, the Giulia’s strengths are undeniable. Its design, while not radically unconventional, possesses an unfamiliar and captivating Italian flair. From the low-slung triangular grille to the sculpted curves, the Giulia exudes an almost exotic presence. In Manhattan, the Alfa Romeo consistently drew attention, prompting questions and admiration from passersby – reactions rarely elicited by a sedan in this price range. People were often unsure of its make, but universally impressed by its beauty.
Inside, while some plastic trim and less-than-solid switches might be less acceptable in the high-performance Quadrifoglio, they are perfectly reasonable in the more affordable $40,000-$50,000 models. The sweeping, leather-stitched dashboard is a design highlight, creating a minimalist and driver-focused cabin that surpasses even Audi in its simplicity. This evokes an appealingly retro, almost Eighties feel. The optional leather-wrapped dash and upper doors, part of a package that also includes 18-inch wheels, wood trim, and upgraded leather seats, enhance the interior ambiance. The infotainment system is seamlessly integrated, although the screen is small and the navigation system is basic.
However, the Giulia is a car that encourages getting lost in the drive. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque, propelling the car to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 149 mph. While not matching the Quadrifoglio’s performance, the standard Giulia still benefits from a carbon-fiber driveshaft and, at around 3,600 pounds in rear-drive form, is lighter than the QV. The engine is not a high-revving unit, shifting before 6,200 rpm, but delivers a spirited sound and ample torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm.
Even after a day of spirited driving, the Giulia leaves you wanting more. The engaging backroads provide a final opportunity to relish the car’s capabilities before returning to mundane city driving. Pushing the Alfa Romeo through snowy corners becomes an exhilarating experience.
Alfa Romeo Giulia in motion showcasing its speed and agility
Image: The 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti in action, demonstrating its speed and handling on a track.
While automotive journalists may not bear the financial responsibility of ownership, the Giulia’s appeal is clear. Decades ago, buyers understood the quirks of European cars like Alfas, and embraced them as part of the ownership experience. Today, with less tolerance for inconvenience, the Giulia represents a return to a more engaging, analog driving experience that enthusiasts often claim to desire. Despite this, sales figures suggest that many of these enthusiasts ultimately opt for more conventional choices.
For those truly drawn to the Giulia’s charms, taking the plunge might be worthwhile, perhaps considering a lease to mitigate potential long-term concerns. While heavily advertised low-cost leases may have limitations, more realistic leases on well-equipped Giulia Ti models offer a reasonable monthly payment for a sport sedan that delivers exceptional driving pleasure. The Giulia Ti presents a far more financially sensible option than the Quadrifoglio.
Ultimately, it’s easy to talk oneself out of buying an Alfa Romeo, influenced by the opinions of others. However, those who choose the Giulia will discover a car that transcends the ordinary in its segment. While potential reliability concerns exist, they should be weighed against the unique driving experience and emotional connection the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia offers. Embrace the spirit of Italian motoring, and perhaps keep an espresso machine handy, just in case.
