Buying, Owning & Improving
Ian Cushway searches out new and used par ts prices
It’s a head-turning executive car that’s involving to drive, well screwed together and now fabulous value for money.
Meant as a credible alternative to Audi, BMW and Jaguar’s top-drawer offerings, Alfa made a pretty good fist of things with its Giulia. It arrived here in late 2016, five years after the firm’s last saloon (the 159), with a choice of a 197bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine or 2.2-litre JTDm-2 four-cylinder diesel, the latter being available in either 148bhp or 177bhp guise. Oh, and there was also the range-topping 2.9-litre V6 Quadrifoglio – with a monstrous 503bhp on tap, that was the real firecracker. A six-speed manual was offered to our friends across the Channel but we only got the ZF eight-speed auto. There were no bad feelings though because the auto works beautifully.
The 276bhp Veloce arrived in 2017, followed by the Veloce Ti in 2018 which inherited lots of features from the Quadrifoglio, including its stunning 19in alloys and high-end heated leather/ Alcantara sports seats and carbon trim.
By 2020, all Giulias boasted an 8.8in display with Apple CarPlay as well as both of the diesel engine outputs being beefed up by 10bhp.
As you might have hoped, Alfa whipped its Giulia with its traditional handling stick and is therefore refreshingly rewarding to drive for an executive car; dynamically it’s excellent, with quick steering and a wonderfully fluid ride. Meanwhile, spec was generous throughout and the Alfa feels almost as plush inside as its rivals with
Teutonic levels of fit and finish inside. Incidentally, while there’s seating for three in the rear, adults might be a little cramped so it’s not fundamentally a family car.
Luggage space was about on par with other cars in its class at 480-litres, although not all models had folding rear seats so be sure to check this if you plan to carry anything larger than a suitcase.
We’ve saved the svelte Alfa’s best bit until last; it’s price. In fact, rapid early depreciation is the Giulia’s only real snag! Unless you’re a potential owner, of course!
The parts prices here are for a 2017 2.2 JTDM.
NOTHING COMPARES TO THE ORIGINAL
OE REPLACEMENT FROM GERMANY’S PREMIUM OEM
Which model?
► Cars were well specced, with even the entry Giulia getting 16in alloys, a 6.5in infotainment display, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise, dual zone climate control and rear parking sensors. The Super gained 17in alloys, satnav and an easier to read 8.8in display while the Speciale added 18in alloys, bi-Xenon headlamps, heated sports fr
