2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia: simplified range with added value

Alfa Romeo has revealed a mid-life refresh for the attractive Giulia sedan which brings slicker infotainment, more safety features and a simplified model line-up to Australian shores.

Alfa has streamlined the confusing array of Giulia models to just three variants, starting with the $63,590 Sport, followed by the mid-spec Veloce and barnstorming Quadrifoglio.

Outside, the design remains identical, which we like. The Giulia is one of the best looking ‘normal’ cars on the market right now with seductive curves, restrained lines and some Italian flare.

All reasons buyers should consider the Giulia over more stable competitors like the Audi A4, Lexus IS, Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series.

Guillaume Drelon, Director, Product Strategy for Alfa Romeo was keen to point out that the brand has “listened to the consumer and we are excited to deliver the upgraded technology and safety features they have wanted”. 

Inside is where the most significant changes have occurred for the updated Giulia, the brand answering calls from journalists and customers for a touchscreen interface for the 8.8-inch centre display. This touch interface should better integrate with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the rotary dial remains for fans of the old-school.

However the design of the interior remains the same, meaning that the touchscreen is rather setback into the dash, we’ll have a detailed review of the new car in short order to see if it works. The design remaining is no bad thing, though. It is a lovely place to be, right down to the Ferrari-Esque multifunction steering wheel and proper paddle shifters. 

Powering the Giulia line-up are two engines. The line-up starts with a turbocharged two-litre four-cylinder producing 147kW and 330Nm, that’s found under the bonnet of the entry-level Sport linked up to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.

There is a higher price of entry to the Giulia now (up by $2,690). However, the Sport adds value with larger 19-inch dark finish alloy wheels, a heated, leather-appointed steering wheel, leather upholstery, sports seats, red brake callipers and wireless phone charging. 

On top of that, Alfa has bolstered the Giulia’s active safety suite to include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and driver attention monitoring.

The mid-spec $71,450 Giulia Veloce gets a higher state of tune from the same two-litre engine, seeing power rise to 206kW and 400Nm, good for a standard sprint of 5.8 seconds. The price is also lower by $1,450 for the new car.

Alfa fits the Veloce with a sportier body-kit, ambient lighting, extended leather on the dash and door cards, and eight-way power adjust for the front seats with memory function for the driver. Reflecting its sporty nameplate, the Veloce also gets a limited-slip differential and adaptive suspension as a garnish.

The range is topped off by the 307km/h, 375kW, $138,950 Giulia Quadrifoglio which is $6,950 more affordable than before, bonus.

While the Veloce’s sporty body kit evokes the powerful Quadrifoglio, the truth is, the twin-turbo V6 powered super saloon is a whole different animal. A carbon fibre roof and bonnet help with that, as does the ‘monster’ braking system, tweaked DNA drive-mode settings and honed chassis settings.

Outside you’ll notice a Quadrifoglio by its quad tailpipes, carbon fibre side skirts and boot spoiler and the squatter stance courtesy of wide 19-inch forged alloy wheels.

The updated, simplified Giulia line-up is on sale now and adds quite an amount of extra value to the rather handsome saloon.

2020 Alfa Giulia Pricing

All prices are before on-road costs.

Alfa Giulia Sport – $63,590 (up $2,690)
Alfa Giulia Super – $71,450 (down $1,450)
Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio – $138,590 (down $6,950)