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Distinctive Italian design makes Alfa Romeo's Giulia stand out in the compact executive saloon segment, but this Latin contender has far more up its tailored sleeve than just good looks. Innovative engines, perfect weight distribution, unique technology and a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio deliver a car worthy of its famous maker. Here, we check out the earlier 2016-2022 versions of this model as a used buy.
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What you get
You might, quite justifiably, feel pretty pleased with yourself when parking one of these amongst the Mercs, BMWs and Audis of your middle management colleagues. Even before you notice the evocative badge on the classic triangular trefoil nose, it's clear that this is a car with a uniquely Italian sense of flair, something further emphasised by the long bonnet, the short overhangs and the muscular haunches. There really is nothing quite like the Giulia in his segment.
And at the wheel? Well you'd hope for old fashioned Alfa charisma with modern functionality and Teutonic quality and this Giulia makes a good stab at achieving exactly that. True, there are a few issues with fit and finish, especially with some elements of the switchgear - and the Giulia can't match its German rivals in terms of media connectivity, though the 8.8-inch centre dash infotainment screen works effectively. There's so much else that's seductive about this cabin though; the deeply-cowled dials, a grippy little three-spoke wheel, splashes of aluminium and huge, evocative gear change paddles behind the steering wheel (fitted to plusher models) that look as if they were originally designed for a Ferrari - and probably were. Get a car whose original owner added a bit of embellishment - say the luxury 'Lusso Pack' with stitched 'Pieno Fiore' leather sumptuous 'Silverwood' trim - and the interior can look absolutely gorgeous.
When it's time to take a seat in the rear, taller folk might find access hindered a little by the swept-back roofline. Still, the rear door opens decently wide and once inside, you'll find that there's a decent amount of back seat space by class standards, with plenty of space to push forward your feet beneath the front seats. The boot opens to reveal a 480-litre capacity that, surely not co-incidentally, is the exact equal of a BMW 3 Series or a Mercedes C-Class from this era.
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What to look for
Though quite a few owners in our survey seemed happy, there are certainly things that you'll need to look for. We've come across a number of problems with the suspension and axles which include issues with the drive mode selector causing the suspension to lock up. Some owners have reported that the front suspension clunks over small bumps. We've also come across quite a few electrical issues. A number of owners have had battery failures, which in some cases are prefaced by assistance module failures such as the start stop system ceasing to work. Some owners have had issues with engine electronics, resulting in in all kinds of issues ranging from the engine check light coming on to complete limp mode activation. To be fair, the more severe issues mainly affected very early 2016 models.
Some owners have reported that the infotainment screen and the central dashboard screen have become dark and unresponsive: this requires a software update. We also heard of problems with the E-brake system getting stuck, which needs to be released in the brake service mode on the infotainment screen. Look out for dashboard warning lights that glow without an actual malfunction. And there are reports of 'service electronic throttle control' warning messages on the dashboard, which need to be resolved by a software update. Overall, you'd we wise to insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2020 Giulia 2.0 280hp - Ex Vat) An air filter costs in the £24 bracket. An oil filter costs in the £8 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £72-£92 bracket for a set; for a rear set, it's in the £50 bracket. Front brake discs sit in the £83 bracket; for rears, think in the £122-£139 bracket. A tail lamp is in the £217-£265 bracket. And a pollen filter is in the £5-£22 bracket. A wiper blade is in the £4-£14 bracket. A fuel filter is around £18.
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On the road
If the look of this Alfa didn't make you want to buy it, the driving experience it offers might well do. Of course, the Giulia is saddled with quite a weight of expectation here, tasked with embodying all of this famous Italian brand's heritage and sporting prowess. That it can deliver on this is evident in the first few miles you spend at the wheel. The steering's quick and very responsive, the brakes are brilliant and the stiff, sophisticated rear-driven chassis delivers a low centre of gravity, a perfect 50-50 front-to-rear weight balance and structural rigidity that keeps body roll well in check. Active suspension was optional from new, as was a limited slip differential' to help get the power down through bends. All Giulias though, got Alfa's 'DNA' drive modes system, so that you can tweak the throttle, the steering and gearchange timings to suit the mood you're in.
All the engines on offer were freshly developed for this car and almost all Giulia buyers will choose between two very different units. The 2.0-litre petrol turbo powerplant is one way you could go, offered with either 200 or 280bhp. Or there's the 2.2-litre diesel, available in either 150 or 180bhp states of tune. In both cases, you can expect competitive efficiency figures - 67.3mpg on the combined cycle and 109g/km of CO2 (NEDC figures). For our market, all the engines had to be mated to an 8-speed auto gearbox you can activate with deliciously emotive Ferrari-style paddleshifters. And, talking of Ferrari influence, we should also mention the Maranello-engineered flagship variant, the storming 2.9-litre V6 Biturbo 510bhp Quadrifoglio super saloon, the fastest Alfa ever made.
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Overall
The Giulia was never going to cure all of Alfa's problems but it did set the brand back on the road to a more profitable future. Is this the perfected, finished article - the kind of car you'd get if you went for an A4, a C-Class or a 3 Series from this period in this segment? Well no. It's not quite as quiet or as well finished inside as those cars, issues that might drive some potential buyers back into the arms of those German brands with their understated air of superiority.
Others might rightly conclude that they never expected an Alfa to be perfect and that this one gets closer to that mark than any other model in the company's history. These people might also tell you that the whole reason they're considering a Giulia in the first place is precisely because they don't like the rather condescending 'we know what's best for you' perfection that's become such a mark of Teutonic engineering. If you share that view, we think you'll find this riveting, idiosyncratic and striking Italian contender to be a real breath of fresh air in a segment that's become rather set in its ways. It's not only an Alfa you could love, it's also one you could justify. Which is about as much as anyone can ask for.
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