Alfa Romeo Giulia review - Interior, design and technology
Arguably the best-looking car in its class, the Giulia's cabin quality doesn't quite match up to close rivals
Alfa Romeo has bestowed the Giulia with a head-turning design and plenty of style, and even seven years after it debuted, the Italian saloon still attracts attention on the road.
Next to the plain BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, it’s a clear winner, and even the smart-looking Mercedes C-Class has to give over the honours to the Alfa. The Giulia did received some small styling tweaks during its 2023 facelift, but the biggest changes were a new 3x3 headlight signature and ‘Trilobo’ grille to provide what Alfa Romeo referred to as a “strong family resemblance with the Tonale”. The rear light clusters are also new, and use smoked glass.
There are still plenty of paint options to choose from – with the Alfa Red hue particularly hard to resist – though there are now just two alloy wheel designs: an 18-inch set for the entry-level Sprint model, and 19-inch alloys for the Veloce and Competizione cars. Veloce trim also adds heated front seats and steering wheel, a limited slip differential, leather sports seats and a new rear bumper, while the range-topping models come with additional leather trim for the cabin, a Harman/Kardon stereo and Alfa Synaptic Dynamic Control suspension.
Used - available now
2021 Alfa Romeo
Giulia
39,600 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £25,824
2019 Alfa Romeo
Giulia
49,814 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £17,400
2021 Alfa Romeo
Giulia
24,099 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £25,450
2021 Alfa Romeo
Giulia
38,171 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £22,799Big strides have been made inside too, with the Giuila now equipped as standard with a 12.3-inch digital driver's display with three distinct layouts: Evolved, Relax and Heritage, each placing more or less emphasis on particular driving instruments.
Meanwhile good-quality materials and slick design give the Alfa premium appeal. It has a stylish and sporty feel, especially thanks to the exceptional steering wheel and enormous metal shift paddles. The rest of the cabin doesn’t feel quite as upmarket as the C-Class or 3 Series, as the materials just aren’t as high in quality as those in the Giulia’s top rivals, but there’s no doubt that there’s a clean elegance to the Alfa's cabin.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
Since the Guilia's updates for 2023, the main 8.8-inch infotainment display is sharper than before, but still behind its German rivals. It can be operated either as a touchscreen, or via an iDrive-like rotational switch just behind the leather-covered gear lever. Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity are both standard, and you get a wirelss charging pad for your smartphone too.
Every version of the Giulia gets the basics, which means Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a DAB radio and sat-nav. Music-lovers can also get a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system as part of the optional Premium Interior and Sound package, or if they upgrade to the top-of-the-range Competizione trim.
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