The verdict
A mixed-report compact luxury sedan, strong on driving and held back by ownership.
Overall 2.30 (C+) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is driving experience at 3.62 (A-), its weakest cost of ownership at 0.00 (F). 7 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Driving Experience
- Value & Market Position
- Safety
What holds it back
- Cost of Ownership
- Efficiency & Range
- Use-Case Fit
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Alfa Romeo Giulia
3.07B
BMW 3 SeriesCompact Luxury SedanThe 3 Series is the segment default with a broader powertrain lineup (330i, M340i, plug-in hybrid abroad), a much larger 14.9-inch curved display, a bigger ~17 cu ft trunk, and vastly better resale — but the Giulia is the more emotional, better-steering car and looks more distinctive at the curb.
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2.86B-
Audi A4Compact Luxury SedanThe A4 quattro matches the Giulia's 27 MPG combined but adds tri-zone climate, roomier back seat comfort features, and Audi's more solid fit-and-finish reputation.
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2.79B-
Mercedes-Benz C-ClassCompact Luxury SedanThe C-Class walks over the Giulia inside with an 11.9-inch portrait screen, MBUX voice control, softer ride, and quieter cabin — it feels a full generation newer.
CompareHow it's evolved
10 scored model years · 2017–2026
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 59 | 32 | 66 | 57 | 25 | 49 | 58 | 44 | 78 | 66 |
| 2025 | 57 | 28 | 60 | 63 | 30 | 66 | 56 | 50 | 81 | 67 |
| 2024 | 58 | 35 | 62 | 62 | 27 | 60 | 56 | 52 | 83 | 72 |
| 2023 | 57 | 37 | 65 | 61 | 13 | 63 | 52 | 51 | 82 | 71 |
| 2022 | 58 | 38 | 67 | 62 | 30 | 60 | 56 | 53 | 81 | 71 |
| 2021 | 57 | 32 | 61 | 61 | 31 | 57 | 52 | 50 | 81 | 76 |
| 2020 | 56 | 34 | 57 | 62 | 48 | 57 | 53 | 48 | 84 | 74 |
| 2019 | 57 | 32 | 61 | 62 | 52 | 57 | 43 | 51 | 84 | 78 |
| 2018 | 56 | 38 | 57 | 62 | 43 | 48 | 40 | 51 | 83 | 79 |
| 2017 | 58 | 37 | 57 | 66 | 51 | 47 | 34 | 53 | 81 | 84 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.89C-
The volume 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 280 hp; the range-topping Quadrifoglio's 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 505 hp.
The mainstream turbo four delivers a strong 306 lb-ft across a broad 2,000-4,800-rpm plateau.
Manufacturer testing puts the representative RWD four-cylinder model at 5.5 seconds; Q4 AWD improves traction and cuts that to 5.1 seconds.
The turbo four feels gutsy and responsive when driven hard, but its coarse, hollow low-rpm character keeps it below the class leaders for refinement.
The eight-speed automatic is engaging and mode-responsive, but independent tests identify delayed kickdowns and less-than-polished smoothness and response.
Q4 AWD was broadly optional on every mainstream 2024 trim, while RWD remained standard; the performance-focused Quadrifoglio was RWD-only.
Two genuinely distinct gas engines cover mainstream and extreme-performance buyers, but there is no hybrid, plug-in hybrid, EV, or manual-transmission alternative.
2Efficiency & RangeOne of the Giulia's weakest categories.0.30F
The representative RWD turbo-four model earns 27 mpg combined; adding Q4 AWD reduces the rating by 1 mpg.
EPA rates the volume RWD configuration at 24 mpg city, with AWD one mpg lower.
The RWD model reaches 33 mpg highway, while the Q4 hardware lowers the AWD model to 31 mpg.
The combined range is 413 miles, consistent with the 27-mpg EPA combined rating and official 15.3-gallon tank.
EPA's standard annual-use estimate is relatively costly for a four-cylinder compact luxury sedan because the calculation uses premium gasoline.
The owner's manual permits 87-octane regular gasoline but recommends 91 octane for optimal performance, avoiding a strict premium requirement while still encouraging the costlier grade.
3SafetyOne of the Giulia's strongest categories.2.21C
NHTSA has not published an overall NCAP rating for the 2024 Giulia, so the required numeric value is a conservative four-star estimate rather than a claimed test result.
IIHS gives the applicable driver-side small-overlap and original moderate-overlap tests Good ratings, but the passenger-side small-overlap evaluation is incomplete and the car lacks the newer side and updated moderate-overlap results needed for a current award.
The volume Giulia includes the five core features: forward-collision warning/AEB, adaptive cruise, lane-departure/lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. More active steering and combined Highway Assist functionality depend on the Active Assist Plus package.
AEB with pedestrian detection is standard and the generation earned strong legacy IIHS front-crash-prevention recognition, but IIHS publishes no current day/night pedestrian result under its tougher protocol. A reviewer observed generally expected operation with one false guard-rail warning.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard, a strong baseline for the volume trim. Active Blind Spot Assist can add corrective steering through the optional Active Assist Plus package, but there is no documented rear automatic braking or safe-exit warning.
Standard lane-departure protection provides basic correction, while true continuous lane centering is tied to optional Highway Assist. The optional interventions were decisive and effective in one 2024 road test, but this is not class-leading standard centering.
Adaptive cruise is standard and operates down to a full stop, holding the car for up to two minutes. Optional Highway Assist combines it with lane centering, but it remains a hands-on Level 2 system and was inconsistently present on package-equipped test inventory.
No hands-free highway-driving system is offered. Highway Assist is explicitly a hands-on Level 2 aid, so it is not comparable to Super Cruise or BlueCruise.
The 2024 facelift replaces the prior lamps with standard 3+3 full-LED headlights and automatic high beams, improving equipment breadth. IIHS has not published a headlight performance grade for the Giulia, and U.S. cars do not provide verified matrix functionality, limiting the score below proven Good-rated systems.
The low seating position, substantial pillars, and compact rear glass create notable rear-quarter blind zones. Standard blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera help, but a surround-view camera is not documented for the volume trim.
There are complete LATCH positions for both rear outboard seats and a center tether, but IIHS rates usability Marginal because lower anchors are too deep and difficult to maneuver around. Tight compact-sedan rear quarters add another installation compromise.
4Space & ComfortMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.21C
The Giulia has two front positions and a three-person rear bench on every 2024 trim.
Good front headroom for a low compact luxury sports sedan.
Front legroom is competitive and supports a broad driving-position adjustment range.
The published figure is respectable for the sedan class, though the roofline and door opening still make the rear feel intimate.
Rear legroom is tight relative to compact-luxury sedan leaders and limits adult comfort behind taller drivers.
Trunk volume is below the sedan midpoint but adequate for routine luggage.
Front and rear door pockets, bottle holders, cupholders and a console bin cover normal needs, but there is no standout storage innovation and several bins are small.
Standard leather 10-way power front seats provide good support and lumbar adjustment; Veloce sport seats add bolsters and thigh support. Rear comfort is constrained by 35.1 inches of legroom.
The suspension stays controlled and civilized for such an agile car, but its firm edge and sport tuning are less plush than an A4 or comfort-focused rival.
Acoustic windshield and laminated front side glass suppress wind noise, but tire and road noise can be conspicuous at highway speed.
Dual-zone climate, heated front and rear seats, air-quality filtration and a wireless charger are unusually generous standard equipment; the Sprint heated wheel is packaged rather than standard.
5Cost of OwnershipThe Giulia's lowest-graded category.0.00F
The refreshed 2024 Giulia's entry configuration was the rear-drive Sprint; Alfa reduced four-cylinder pricing for this model year.
Edmunds identifies the gas Veloce AWD as the most-popular 2024 Giulia configuration, making it the representative volume trim.
Edmunds' model-specific projection for the volume Veloce AWD is well above the sedan normalization ceiling, reflecting expensive service and post-warranty repair exposure.
Giulia depreciation is worse than the compact-luxury-car average, though this model-level estimate is more defensible than extrapolating the unusually steep early depreciation of current 2024 used examples.
Coverage exceeds the common three-year term but does not extend beyond the compact-luxury norm.
The powertrain warranty ends with the basic warranty and is shorter than the five-year minimum used for sedan normalization.
One scheduled service is useful but brief; four years of unlimited-mile roadside assistance adds a meaningful basic perk without approaching a multi-year maintenance program.
$49,790 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (48.6% retained, or about $24,198) leaves about $25,592 in depreciation. Add the projected $14,163 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $39,755 in total.
6Reliability & QualityMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.07C
Model-specific signals are mixed: J.D. Power owner data is strong, but Consumer Reports' outlook is unfavorable. That supports an above-midpoint score rather than either an excellent or below-average verdict.
Alfa Romeo lacks enough survey volume for a current CR reliability rank and has a historically weak dependability reputation, although recent initial-quality results are better. The sparse data and inconsistent multi-year record keep it just below the rubric's mid-pack band.
Four recalls are more than ideal, and the broad 24V-510 campaign is safety-significant because a connector fault can prevent front-airbag deployment. The remedies are discrete dealer fixes rather than evidence of a pervasive 2024 powertrain failure, so this remains in the lower end of the typical-activity band.
The volume Sprint uses the established 280-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and eight-speed automatic, not a first-year powertrain, and later-build Giulias have a better record than the troublesome earliest cars. Long-run evidence remains mixed, with electrical and ancillary complaints and no exceptional high-mileage reputation.
The cabin is attractive and uses genuine luxury-grade touchpoints, but lower-grade plastics and aging details leave it short of the best German rivals. Owners' favorable view of the materials supports a solidly competitive score.
Assembly is generally acceptable and owner initial-quality data is encouraging, but repeat rattle evidence prevents a stronger rating. This is adequate luxury-car execution with scattered, tangible flaws.
Service quality is rated average where a dealer is available, but Alfa's roughly 135-store U.S. footprint is sparse compared with mainstream and major luxury rivals. Geographic access can therefore be a meaningful ownership constraint.
Luxury-car labor and parts are costly, aftermarket depth is limited, and the small network can add parts delays. Estimated five-year repair and maintenance spending is substantial even for the four-cylinder Giulia.
7Technology & InfotainmentMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.79C-
The sole center display is small by 2024 luxury-sedan standards but supports both touch and a physical rotary controller.
Touch and rotary inputs give useful redundancy and the widget layout is workable, but the small screen and aging software trail newer luxury interfaces.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but require a USB media connection; the separate wireless charging pad does not make projection wireless.
3-D GPS navigation and command-based voice recognition are standard, but owners will generally prefer Siri or Google Assistant through phone projection.
The standard eight-speaker system is ordinary, while the available 14-speaker Harman Kardon system is a strong upgrade and standard on Competizione.
The 2024 refresh adds a crisp, configurable 12.3-inch full-digital cluster to every trim, a major year-specific modernization.
Connected navigation services can refresh map and service content, but Alfa makes no claim of broad whole-vehicle feature-adding OTA updates.
My Alfa Connect provides core remote status, lock/location and assistance functions, but subscription dependence and no phone-as-key keep it mid-pack.
Three front USB outlets, one rear outlet and a standard wireless charging pad are adequate, though there is no household AC outlet and rear provisioning is limited.
Passive entry, push-button start and key-fob remote start are standard on all trims; phone-as-key and hands-free trunk access are absent.
Front and rear sensors and a dynamic-guideline rear camera are standard, but no surround-view camera or automated parking system is listed.
A head-up display is not offered on any 2024 Giulia trim.
8Use-Case FitOne of the Giulia's weakest categories.1.52D
Two-row sedan access, 35.1 inches of rear legroom and a 13.4-cu-ft trunk impose compromises for rear-facing seats and strollers; the 40/20/40 seat is useful. IIHS rates LATCH ease Marginal.
AEB/forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning are standard, but lane keeping is packaged and current crash coverage is incomplete.
Heated rear seats, rear vents/USB and acoustic front glass help, but tight rear legroom and modest trunk space constrain four-person trips.
Compact dimensions, a very tight turning circle, standard adaptive cruise and a responsive powertrain make commuting easy, though firm ride and an occasionally unpolished automatic add fatigue.
The volume RWD 2.0T earns a respectable 27 mpg combined, but it requires premium fuel and has luxury-car tire/service costs.
At roughly 183 inches long with a 35.5-ft turning circle, the Giulia is notably agile in town; standard front/rear sensors offset the lack of a 360-degree camera.
There is no US tow rating or bed, and the 13.4-cu-ft trunk only supports light-duty errands despite a folding rear seat.
The cabin and low sport-sedan chassis are designed for luxury driving rather than repeated dirty cargo, jobsite abuse or fleet service.
No bed, onboard AC power, tie-down system or factory upfit ecosystem is offered.
Supportive power seats, acoustic glass, adaptive cruise and roughly 413 miles of combined-EPA theoretical RWD range make it a capable tourer, but the firm ride, road noise and tight rear seat cap the score.
Optional Q4 AWD handles snow and maintained gravel, but low clearance, no tow rating and sedan cargo packaging limit outdoor utility.
The 40/20/40 rear seat and center pass-through accommodate skis or long items, but 13.4 cubic feet and a conventional trunk opening restrict bulky gear.
9Driving ExperienceThe Giulia's best-graded category.3.62A-
Near-50:50 balance, aluminum double-wishbone front and AlfaLink rear suspension deliver exceptional rotation and body control; this remains the volume Giulia's defining class-leading strength.
Exceptionally quick, accurate steering communicates road and chassis behavior better than nearly every compact-luxury rival.
Standard four-piston Brembo front calipers and the integrated brake system provide strong, consistent stopping, though brake-by-wire feel is not universally natural.
The 280-hp turbo four is brisk and responsive in Dynamic mode, but the eight-speed can lack low-speed polish and is not as seamless as the best German calibrations.
The engine is muted at cruise by acoustic glass but sounds hollow and coarse at low rpm or under load, falling short of luxury-class refinement.
The volume RWD configuration has an unusually tight turning diameter for a rear-drive compact luxury sedan.
A low, driver-centered cockpit, broad power-seat adjustment and physical rotary/HVAC controls work well; rearward visibility and some aging switchgear are the main compromises.
Rear-drive balance, eager turbo response, quick steering and a communicative chassis make even the volume four-cylinder a genuine enthusiast recommendation.
10Value & Market PositionOne of the Giulia's strongest categories.2.91B-
Even the Sprint includes heated front and rear seats, a heated wheel, power front seats, adaptive cruise control, navigation, and the new digital cluster, though fuller lane-centering safety tech costs extra and the base wheels are only 17 inches.
The price cut, rich comfort equipment, 280 hp, and excellent chassis deliver solid value, but dated infotainment, a less-luxurious cabin, poor resale, and costly ownership keep it from being a standout bargain.
The lineup spans four well-separated 280-hp trims plus two Quadrifoglio variants, with RWD or $2,000 AWD available on the four-cylinder range, providing unusually broad performance and appearance choice.
The Giulia remained a niche, declining seller in a market where the entire Alfa Romeo brand moved fewer than 9,000 U.S. vehicles in 2024.
Alfa Romeo has genuine enthusiast cachet, Italian design appeal, and a strong performance identity, but its spotty-reliability reputation and sparse U.S. presence weaken mainstream luxury desirability and resale.
Alfa cut MSRP by $1,800 at launch to improve competitiveness, and weak sales plus rapid depreciation created substantial dealer negotiability; this strongly benefits a disciplined new-car buyer even while signaling soft demand.
The underlying 2017-generation platform was old by 2024, but this model year received a meaningful visual and cockpit refresh that reduced immediate obsolescence risk.
Reviewers still regard it as one of the segment's finest driver's cars, but it is no longer the default class winner because technology, cabin polish, and practicality trail newer rivals.
