By C.A. Haire
The Alfa Romeo brand is very popular in Europe, especially in Italy, where the vehicles are made. Very few make their way into North America, so they are rare here. They are popular among car enthusiasts who want a nice sport sedan with creative touches. A reasonable price has made the Giulia a great choice.
The starting tab is $45,000. With options like special paint, sound system and luxury fluff, the total comes to $55,000. This gets you a peppy 2.0-liter turbo engine cranking 280 horsepower, hooked to a sharp 8-speed automatic transmission. It can be shifted manually using paddles on the column. There are three modes of operation: natural, efficient, and, our favorite, dynamic. The latter adds zip to the engine response, gear shifting and steering feel.
The cabin is well-designed and has simple controls. (C.A. Haire/Contributor)
In daily commuting, this car is very pleasant to operate. Fuel economy is listed at 24/32 mpg, which is what we observed. But take this rig out on some sharp winding roads, hit the gas pedal, and you experience what a sporty Italian machine is like. It makes driving fun again. No, it’s not the quickest or best-handling Euro sedan available, but the overall balance is impressive. Its sharp and unique styling impresses onlookers who see it on the street, and often inquire who the manufacturer is.
For those with more money, try to find the super-rare Quadrifoglio Giulia. This has a potent V-6 turbo cranking 505 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. This engine is assembled at the Ferrari factory, which explains the cars hefty $88,000 price tag.
All Alfa dealers are found at a Jeep/Dodge store, but very few Jeep/Dodge dealers also sell the Alfa. This can make getting factory support difficult nationwide. Fortunately, there are seven Alfa franchises in the Los Angeles area, so servicing will not a problem here.
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