The longest-serving member of an otherwise refreshed Alfa Romeo line-up, the 159 received an update of its own earlier this year with the addition of a new 136hp diesel engine bringing emissions down to 134g/km and replacing the previous 1.9 JTD 150hp that emitted 157g/km.
The 159 is still one of the most stylish upper medium saloons, though showing its age with elements such as high road noise intruding into the cabin. The new engine is occasionally caught short low in the rev band, but is otherwise fine, and while vastly improved efficiency-wise, the 55.4mpg is still a way off the likes of VW‘s equivalently powered Passat at 61.4mpg. Residual values for the 159 are also some way off the class best at 27.2%, but it’s still a refreshing and good-looking change to the traditional choices at the more premium end of the upper medium segment, if not the most cutting-edge.
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