[vc_single_image image=”47155″ img_size=”article-image”]The Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback has always been a highly attractive proposition to buyers, largely because of the iconic Italian badge that is synonymous with flair and insatiable desirability. In a bid to sweep away the idea that this car only cares for preening itself in the sun, though, the brand have executed some deft changes: The Giulietta benefits from a restyled front end, a smarter interior, enhanced connectivity, as well improved engines.
But do the same old problems remain? Is this a car that continues to put style over substance, and are there better all-rounders in this class? Let’s take a closer look with our review.[vc_single_image image=”47154″ img_size=”article-image”]
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Hatchback Test Drive
The only engine that is going to slow you down once you’re out on the road is the base-level diesel. Apart from that, all these engines are solid, rapid performers, and they all benefit from the brand’s DNA control panel that lets you change the setup of the car. It isn’t, however, a polished setup and each mode suffers from a few failings. For example, the Dynamic mode is more responsive, but this isn’t a good thing when you’re stranded in heavy traffic that requires some smoothness.
In the main, though, you can’t fault the car’s handling. Grip is adequate, while there isn’t too much body lean even when you approach corners. Sure, the suspension could be less firm, but unless you’re driving over potholes all day long you won’t mind too much.
The engine tech that Alfa Romeo have been creating in recent years has been little short of exemplary, and here again the Giulietta hatch showcases the fruit of their loins with some seriously potent turbocharged units. The 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine comes in 120, 150 and 170bhp guises, though you really should pair either option with the TCT twin clutch auto gearbox if you want to get the very best out of it.
Other engines in the range include a fired-up 1.6-litre JTDM-2 diesel that is good for 120bhp and comes wedded with the TCT twin clutch auto gearbox if you so wish, as well as a more powerful 2.0-litre JTDM-2 diesel that is good for either 150 or 175bhp.
The Interior, Design And Build Of The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Hatchback
Is the new Giulietta a looker or not? It might sound like a strange question to ask of an Alfa Romeo. After all, few people wouldn’t be tempted to wolf whistle at one of these Italian hotties if they saw it strutting its stuff in their neighbourhood. But getting the look of your new Giulietta just right is going to come down to how you configure it: With lots of colours and trims available, it’s going to be really easy to create a beauty – or a beast.
Alfa Romeo invite you to try your hand at their online configurator so that you can get the look of yours just right, but it’s well worth mentioning that the way a car looks online and the way it looks in real life is vastly different.
Still, it’s in Alfa Romeo’s DNA to be beautiful, so as long as you know that red and green should never be seen except upon a fool, you should be okay.
How does it measure up inside? Well, it isn’t quite as good as the Volkswagen Golf, but it’s better than it was last time around. Leather upholstery gives the cabin more of an upmarket feel, although you can’t get it if you snap up the base-level variant.
Hard plastics also damping proceedings somewhat, though the dash is much better now and comes with a slick 6.5” touchscreen. The seats, though, are far from comfortable, and will definitely not offer you much protection whenever you travel over some of Britain’s worst roads.
In terms of practicality, the Giulietta hatch is longer than a lot of its rivals, which can make it difficult to park. Getting behind the wheel is not all that easy, while headroom is at a premium. The good news, though, is that the car is available only in 5-door guise, which means entry into the rear is fairly easy. But again, headroom is a problem. The boot, meanwhile, offers you 350-litres of space, which is more than you’ll get from a Focus.[vc_single_image image=”47153″ img_size=”article-image”]
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Hatchback Pricing & Running Costs
Prices for the new Alfa Romeo hatch start out from around £18,500 and rise to just over £28,000. There are 5 trim levels available:
- Giulietta
- Super
- Tecnica
- Speciale
- Veloce
The entry level variant comes with a decent amount of standard equipment, including air conditioning, alloys and Bluetooth, while the Super model throws in cruise control and twin-zone climate control. Opt for the range-topping Veloce trim and you’ll also benefit from 18” alloys and larger tailpipes.
In terms of running costs, the car performs reasonably well. The 1.6-litre JTDM-2 diesel 120bhp is good for 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2 with either manual or automatic transmission, though the 1.4-litre turbo petrol can only return 45.6mpg while emitting some 144g/km.
Our Favourite: Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV
There is no way that a premium hatchback can sell on the legendary appeal of its name alone. As such, the Giulietta has always been a solid car – if not a great car. This time around it’s more focused, and has added a smidgen more substance to go along with its eternal style. Whether that’s enough to convince buyers to make the switch from their traditional all-rounders is really up for debate. What’s true, though, is that the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback is more than just an indulgence in 2016.[vc_single_image image=”47156″ img_size=”article-image”]
