What’s new: Alfa Romeo’s lower medium Giulietta is now available with a new trim level – Sportiva – which adds cosmetic updates such as 18-inch alloys, larger, red, brake calipers and new interior trim.
Excellent: You can’t fail to fall for the Giulietta’s looks. True to Alfa Romeo form, it’s extremely handsome, with svelte lines and a neat triangular grille. It’s far more exciting than your average Ford Focus or VW Golf.
Good: The 170hp diesel engine strikes a decent match between power and economy. It’s good for 124g/km and 60.1mpg and is capable of 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds and 135mph flat out – and it feels like it.
Average: There isn’t a sub-100g/km version, which leaves it trailing in the lower medium segment these days. Go for the least powerful 105hp version and you’re still looking at 114g/km, which isn’t competitive.
Poor: Alfa’s build quality remains below par. The materials seem cheap and hard, while the stereo’s calculator-like screen seems to be from the 1980s.
Verdict: The Giulietta adds a dash of character to a hotly contested but often uniform segment, but won’t worry the Golfs and Focuses of this world.
