Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 MultiAir review
Alfa Romeo's new VW Golf rival, the Giulietta, has plenty of talent
The new Giulietta is Alfa’s answer to VW’s Golf. Whether the Italian company can build a true rival to the GTI you can discover just to the right. Here, though, we have the slightly more affordable 1.4 MultiAir, and it’s a thoroughly appealing package.
An efficient yet gutsy turbo petrol engine is mated to a chassis that boasts a supple ride and sharp handling. The result is a driving experience close to that of a Golf TSI; very impressive and capable, if lacking some of the visceral thrills you associate with Alfas past.
The 168bhp turbocharged engine is more joyous than VW’s comparable ‘twin-charger’ 1.4 unit. It encourages you to hang on to gears longer and use the whole rev- range rather than just surfing the low-down torque, and while it never sounds fantastic, it’s certainly involving. It’s a better choice than the 2-litre JTDm diesel we also tried, which offers identical power and an extra 74lb ft of torque but feels quite staid.
Another note: Alfa offers two chassis set‑ups, Standard and Sport. The former rides on 16in wheels and is the suppler, more compliant choice. The latter is a tad firmer on 17s but makes the car look significantly better. Your call…
Specifications
| Engine | In-line 4-cyl, 1368cc, turbo |
| Max power | 168bhp @ 5500rpm |
| Max torque | 184lb ft @ 2500rpm |
| 0-60 | 7.8mph (claimed) |
| Top speed | 135mph (claimed) |
