Alfa Romeo went all German for a while with its model names, using boring numbers instead of proper names. That aberration is a thing of the past and we have just spent a most enjoyable week road testing an Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The car is all about style, particularly at the front where the bonnet flows upwards from the Alfa-shield grille. The five-door hatchback has been styled to look like a sports coupe thanks to cleverly hidden rear door handles. The result is a sporting look that hides what is, in reality, a practical family hatch.
The Giulietta’s interior is reasonably spacious, although there are some compromises. Unless tall front-seat occupants are willing to give up some legroom, those in the back seats will find themselves cramped. Headroom can also be tight for tall, rear-seat passengers.
Although the Giulietta is configured as a five-seater, in the real world it is better suited to four, with an adult using the middle of the rear seat only in emergency situations. With no fifth passenger in the car, the armrest with fold-out drink holders gives a feeling of luxury.
The rear seats have a 60/40 split fold for when extra cargo area is needed above the standard 350 litres. Behind the rear seat centre armrest is a ski hatch.
Multiple settings are offered in the way of a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a steering column that can be adjusted in four directions.
Alfa Romeo imports Giulietta to Australia with a choice of two engines. Our test car had the 1.4-litre turbocharged MultiAir petrol unit with 125kW of power.
Those who want even more performance can get a Giulietta QV with the turbocharged petrol 1750TBi engine that produces up to 173kW of power.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a great-looking Italian machine from a company with a rich sporting heritage and will appeal to those looking for more than mere transport in their family hatch.
Prices start at $36,990, not including government or dealer delivery charges.
