2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

With excellent fuel efficiency in amalgamation with a mighty performing powertrain, the Giulia has plenty of features to impress as well. At its price segment, it sees direct competition with the likes of Mercedes C300, Kia Stinger, and the Infiniti Q50. Just how well does the Alfa Romeo compete as a sports sedan? Let's find out.

Split into 5 different configurations, Alfa Romeo Giulia is further separated into two drivetrains – RWD and AWD – which sees a $2000 difference between them. Starting from $38,195 for the base Giulia RWD sedan, all trims are powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain mated to 8-speed automatic transmission. While there is no change in the mechanicals, you'll get an extra level of "premium" with every trim that lies ahead.

If observed carefully, the top two trims are priced very similarly to each other. While the TI Lusso adds a layer of luxury and comfort, the TI Sport, as the name suggests, takes things into a sporty direction, aesthetically speaking. At the sedan’s base price, the plethora features offered is pretty decent for the price and if needed, different packages at a cost are offered to further up the list.

Model	Giulia	Giulia Sport	TI	TI Lusso	TI Sport
MSRP (RWD)	$38,195	$39,445	$40,195	$42,695	$42,895
MSRP (AWD)	$40,195	$41,445	$42,195	$44,695	$44,895
Key Features	Back-up camera with dynamic grid lines	Colored brake calipers (Red/Black/Yellow)	18” polished aluminium wheels	18” Lusso aluminium wheels	19” Signature Colored Calipers with Alfa Romeo Script
	Android Auto and Apple CarPlay	Sport-tuned suspension	Leather seats with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel	Luxury leather-seats with Cannelloni Design	Sport front fascia with rear diffuser
	Dual-zone climate control	Sport front fascia and rear diffuser	A/C Auto Temperature Control w/ Dual Zone Control	Bright Aluminum Pedals	Sport Leather seats
	6.5-inch widescreen color display with Bluetooth	8.8” widescreen infotainment system	Genuine Dark Gray Oak interior trim	Steering column-mounted aluminium paddle shifters	Dual-mode quad exhaust
	Leather Seats	Carbon fiber hood and roof
	17” Wheels
	Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror

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Apart from the 550 Horsepower Quadrifoglio, there isn't a huge price difference amongst the different trims. The base model is a fine choice, although our pick would be the Sport variant. It has a much larger infotainment and overall better equipment for a nominal bump in price.

“In any guise, the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia is thrilling—if not exactly relaxing—to drive.”-thecarconnection

Behind the grilled mesh sits a powerful 2.0L 4-cylinders turbo engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Hurling the rear wheels of the sedan, the smooth powertrain churns commendable outputs of 280 horses and 306 pound-feet torque. For $2000 dollars more, you can get this Italian beauty to hurl all-four wheels as well, without any addition to the power output though.

The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia’s engine is not just athletic and strong, but surprisingly, the power delivery is spread all across the rev-range as well. Coming to the automatic gearbox, the shifts are seamless, quick and responsive. Alfa’s DNA driving selector (Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency mode) tweaks the ride, steering feel, and powertrain to get more powerful as you select Dynamic. Nothing much to complain in this department, really, the unchanged powertrain from the previous iteration still has what it takes to charm.

Models	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G90	Jaguar XE	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
MSRP	$38,195	$35,550	$43,400	$34,900	$46,235	$32,900	$40,660
Engine	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 cylinders	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L	2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 cylinder engine	2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 cylinder engine	2.0L I-4 turbocharged	2L I-4 Turbocharged
Transmission	8-speed automatic transmission	7-speed automatic transmission	9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic Transmission	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5200 rpm	208 hp @ 5500rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm	252 hp @ 6,200 rpm	247 hp @ 5500 rpm	255 hp @ 6200 rpm	241 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	306 lb.-ft. @ 2000-4800 rpm	258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm	273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 1,400-4,000 rpm	269 ft-lbs. @ 1300 rpm	260 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1,650 rpm

The 3500 pound Italian sees Mercedes Benz C300 as the closest competitor with the Infiniti Q50 and the Kia Stinger, of whom the Romeo is the most muscular sedan while the Kia Stinger stings mostly the Mercedes C300.

Acceleration

Powered by a 2.0L motor under the hood, its perfect synchronization with the 8-speed automatic transmission whizzes the Alfa Romeo Giulia from naught to 60 mph in 5.5s while sprinting the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds. Speaking of the transmission, in the Natural mode, the gearbox thinks a little too much to kick down even when the accelerator is slammed hard and it gets even worse in the Advanced Efficiency mode. Things take a quick turn in the Dynamic mode though.

Models	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G90	Jaguar XE	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
0-60 MPH	5.5 sec	7	5.5 sec	6.0 sec	6.3 sec	6.0 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter mile	14.1 sec @ 100 mph	15.4 @ 90 mph	14.1 sec @ 99 mph	14.6 sec	15.0 sec	14.6 sec @ 96 mph	15 sec*
Engine	2.0 Liters	2.0 Liters	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	NA	NA	TBD	-	6.3*	TBD	NA

The Mercedes C300 is the only sedan that evens out the Italian while the rest of the 2 liters in the competition take longer. The least interested Infiniti Q50 is the slowest in the competition.

Ride and Handling

For the ride quality, driving modes play a big role in its behavior, however, Natural mode can be best suited for calm, casual cruising or when stuck behind that pesky traffic, while Dynamic firms the driving dynamics and creates a more responsive sedan with the least interference from the safety systems. However modest the mode, the sedan is spirited, responsive and sharp. Limited body roll paves way for precise and keen cornering. The rear-wheel driven sedan handles amazingly well. Centered and poised, take it for a spin and don’t be surprised about the inadvertent grin that the Giulia would bring to your face.

While that was all about spirited driving, there's also another side to the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia. For a sports sedan, it offers a pretty decent ride quality in case you plan on taking the rear seat. The aptly sprung suspension setup evens out most of the undulations on the road and maintains a calm and soft composure. There is minimal body roll and apart from the "sweet whisper" from the engine and some tire noises creeping inside, there is nothing else to bother your conversations inside. Remember, we are talking about the Natural mode, the Dynamic mode is just cruel for the rear passengers. The ride gets hard and if prolonged for a few hours, you might even end up having a bad night.

Braking

With around 13” rotor diameters fitted in the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia, they stop the 3500-pound sedan from 60 to a standstill in 124 feet – an average effort. The brake feel is precise and responsive, as you would expect from a sports sedan.

Although there are better performing sedans in this aspect in the segment, the Giulia perfectly mimics the best of them with the least nosedive even under hard braking conditions. In the TI Sport variant, it's bigger 19-inch wheels further enhance this experience and encourage spirited driving due to good feedback from the brakes.

Model	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G90	Jaguar XE	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
Brake Front (in.)	13	12.6	13	13.8	12.8	12.6	13.1
Brake Rear (in.)	12.5	12.1	11.8	-	12.8	12.4	12.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3521	3671	3500*	3516 lbs	3500 lbs	3649	3583
60-0 MPH (ft.)	124	-	153ft (70-0)	-	184 ft* (70-0)	185ft (70-0)	-

Taking 153 feet to come to standstill from 70 mph is relatively a laudable performance by the C300, while the Stinger does not really impress with its 185 feet of stopping distance. Being the heaviest in the segment, there is only so much the Kia can do. However, the Jaguar XE is among the worst performers even after weighing the least in this competition.

The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia can munch 24 miles in the city and 33 miles on the highway for every gallon of fuel that it sips. With a combined figure of 27 MPG, it is one of the best performers in the segment. These figures are in regard to the Advanced Efficiency mode. All these figures take a hit in the Dynamic mode but then, there's always a fuel-guzzling mode in any sports sedan that you'd choose.

Model	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G90	Jaguar XE	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
MPG (city)	24	23	22	21	24	22	21
MPG (highway)	33	30	33	28	34	29	30
MPG (combined)	27	25	26	23	28	25	24

Balancing fuel efficiency with performance sees the Alfa Romeo an admirable rival in this pool of competition drinking 27 miles per gallon, it floats with the Jaguar XE, which swims inches past the Italian. The contestants closely follow the leaders but their performance falls short of what the mighty 4-cylinders under the Italian spurts. The Lexus IS 300 and the Genesis G90 are amongst the worst performers here.

“Modern and stylish at first glance, the Giulia does make a good first impression, but some materials have a distinctly preproduction feel and give the car an unfinished look. Numerous creaks and electronic gremlins cast a shadow of doubt on long-term integrity.” -edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Seating five, the Giulia’s cabin is where the Italian seems to fall a tad short in contrast to the outside. Not to call it substandard, some of its rivals like the Merc C300 have better quality fitments on the inside. Around the cabin is ambient lighting with door trim panels. Leather upholstery is installed on the seats, and dive into the driver seat, you’d be holding a leather-wrapped steering wheel along with an engine start button on it. Between the gauges seamlessly sealed is the 7” instrumental cluster.

Heated front seats, with 6-way power adjustability, have better space than the ones found in the rear, especially for tall adults. Comfort levels are even in both the seating area with loads of room in the front and also at the back. Noise isolation is good but evident creaks are audible, casting doubt on its structural quality. The interior has a nice soft plastic touch and feel to it but at the same time, there is also an element of cheap quality to some materials. Overall, the interior's bearable, but improvement abounds.

Models	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G90	Jaguar XE	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (cu.ft) Head room	38.6	38.3	37.1	39.7	-	38.2	40.2
Front (cu.ft) Shoulder room	56.1	56.4	55.3	56.3	-	55.9	56.7
Front (cu.ft) Leg room	42.4	42.6	NA	42.6	-	44.8	44.5
Rear (cu.ft) Head room	37.6	37.0	37.1	36.9	-	36.9	37.5
Rear (cu.ft) Shoulder room	53.6	54.8	55	54.6	-	53.4	56.1
Rear (cu.ft) Leg room	35.1	36.4	NA	34.8	-	32.2	35.1

Talking numbers, Giulia's performance is among the best of the lot. It lines up with the Infiniti Q50 with the latter just inching ahead. Visually there is barely any difference between them. It's the Lexus IS300 that emerges as the crown bearer in terms of passenger volume just passing the Genesis G90 barely.

Cargo Volume

For a compact sedan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia would prove disappointing in the boot space it offers. Practicality takes a hit when you find a meager 12 cubic feet of volume in the back. However, things do get eased a bit with the one-touch split-folding rear seats with some in-cabin hooks. A powered-tailgate also adds to the same.

The trunk lid lifts high, but the opening is pretty narrow and disappointing. Loading/Unloading factor might get discomforting for some. If you have back problems, prefer not to do it at all. The in-cabin storage spaces are also minimal. Alfa's design team got so much carried away with the interiors, that it seems to have neglected the utility counterpart, which is why the competition overshadows it in this aspect.

Model	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Genesis G90	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Jaguar XE	Infiniti Q50	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	12.0	10.5	12.6	16.1	13.2	23.3	10.8

The Kia Stinger has an immense 23.3 cubic feet of space, emerging as the king amongst the rivals. Lexus IS 300 and Genesis G90 share the lowest space in the trunk when compared to their rivals. The Jaguar XE, though way behind the Stinger, secures a second place for itself with impressive 16 cu.ft in the trunk.

Infotainment System

Unlike most of the manufacturers who are shifting to the touchscreen infotainment units, the 2020 Guilia still sticks to the Alfa Romeo’s familiar 6.5-inch infotainment system controlled by a knob sat on the center console. Set in the middle of the dash, the system is fairly intuitive, simple and easy to use, and its controller knob comes in pretty handy while navigating a list of copious menus. It has a pleasing aesthetic and seems sealed into the fascia. Standard features include –

• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth Hands-free Phone and Audio
• AM/FM Radio
• 8-Speaker Audio System

Interior Features

On the luxury and comfort front, the Italians have managed to squeeze in a few premium features that escalate the lux-appeal of the cabin. Some of such extraordinary features are –

• Driver Side Instrument Panel Storage Bin
• Heated front seats
• Powered trunk lid
• Overhead Console
• Instrument Panel with Ambient Lighting Bezel
• A/C Auto Temperature Control w/ Dual Zone Control
• Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column

“The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia has curves in all the right places”. -thecarconnection

Design and Measurements

Ah, Italians! They sculpt some of the most aesthetically pleasing cars out there and with the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia, it is no different. As unchanged from the previous model, the Romeo has a sporty look with aggressive and elegantly curvaceous design elements spread all across the body. The 4-door sedan runs along 111” of wheelbase while the full length of the sedan measures 182” long, treading on stylish 17” 10-spoked aluminum wheels. 

Beginning from the Italian’s front fascia, it incorporates the manufacturer’s traditional meshed triangular-grille atop which rests the marque’s insignia. Staring at you flanked on either side, are the Bi-Xenon headlamps drawn slightly into the fenders, and a slitted-character line drawn upon the hood.

Sculpted along the side profile are evident character lines seamed inside with power-folding heated mirrors that pop out for better rear visibility. Perched behind the fenders is a meshed-air intake. Gracefully modeled rear design sees stylish LED taillights and the bold twin exhaust pipes on either side, blackened for the TI Sport trim and chromed for the rest of them.

Model	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Infiniti Q50	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Genesis G90	Jaguar XE	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
Curb weight (lbs.)	3521	3671	3500*	3516 lbs	3500 lbs	3649	3,583
Length(in)	182.6	189.6	184.5	184.4 in	183.9	190.2	184.3
Width(in)	73.7	71.8	71.3	72.8 in	77.4	73.6	71.3
Height(in)	56.5	57.2	56.3	55.1 in	55.8	55.1	56.3*
Ground clearance (in)	NA	5	3.8	5.1 in	-	TBD	5.3
Wheelbase (in)	111	112.2	111.8	111.6 in	111.6	114.4	110.2
Track width (in) F/R	61.3/63.9	60.8/61.6	61.5/60.9	-	62.8/62.4	62.8/64.8	60.4/61

Though the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia has a good road presence with its 111 cu.ft of wheelbase, it is still overshadowed by Infiniti Q50 and the Kia Stinger in this regard. The rest of the competition is pretty evenly matched with the Lexus IS300 losing out completely.

Exterior Features

The Alfa Romeo Giulia's design elements don't just add to its beauty, but also to its practicality counterpart. Some of the highlights of the exterior include –

• 17” aluminum 10-spoked wheels
• Rain-Sensitive Windshield Wipers
• Alfa Romeo traditional triangular-grille
• Tinted Windshield Glass
• Dual Chrome Exhaust Tips

Equipped with plenty of safety features, the Italian beauty they named Giulia is as caring as the name implies natively. Nothing extraordinary though, it barely manages to keep up with the segment with its equipment list. Talking about build quality, the Italians are not as robust as the Germans, however, the Giulia does instill confidence in terms of build quality but that's only when you're behind the steering. Passengers can hear some squeaks from the plastics that could raise some questions about its build quality. 

The Giulia hasn't been tested by the NHTSA yet. However, IIHS has tested the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and it has shined bright in all those tests with the maximum ratings. Apart from the build quality, some of those carefully kitted safety features are –

• Anti-Slip Regulation / Torque Control
• Traction Control
• Dual Advanced Front Airbags
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Front Seatbelt with Dual Pretensioner
• LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System
• Rear Back-Up Camera
• Electronic Stability Control
• Rear Parking Assist Sensors
• Hill Start Assist

Alfa Romeo Giulia vs Infiniti Q50

In a nutshell, the Infiniti Q50 is mostly on the flipside of what the Alfa Romeo Giulia is – contrasting powertrain, robust interior quality, spacious cabin, and comfort ride. In all, while the Giulia is enthusiast-centered sedan, the Infiniti Q50 caters towards practicality. It bows down to the passengers while the Giulia bows down to its driver alone. Moreover, the Japanese sedan packs an enormous boot space with a decent fuel economy, while its Italian rival is a spirited luxury sports car with little practicality in its mind. At a difference of almost 5 grand, you have two options based on your priority. Pragmatic or Excitement? Your call.

Alfa Romeo vs Mercedes C300

While both the sedans feature powerful engines, the Mercedes C300 still falls behind in aspects the Alfa Romeo Giulia inches ahead. The Italian is a sporty, driver-focused sedan while the Merc C300 is tuned towards entry-level comfort and luxury. As spirited-driving goes, it is no surprise that the Mercedes stands no chance against the Alfa Romeo while feature-wise the Benz takes the crown here. So what would you prefer - opulence and comfort, or performance and enthusiasm?

Alfa Romeo vs Kia Stinger

The Kia Stinger is over $5000 more affordable than the Alfa Romeo Giulia. While the premium compact Korean sedan is by no means as sporty as the Italian Giulia, it drives with similar performance as the latter, albeit the Italian does it way better. Better interior quality, more practicality and comfort see judgement inching towards the Kia Stinger, but spirited and exciting drivability, power and the beauty of the Italian would get the enthusiast towards the Giulia.

To conclude, it’s safe to say that the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia remains as impressive since the previous year. The sedan combines beauty, drivability and power, and a little bit of practicality while remaining kind on fuel economy.

Appearing more as the driver’s car, the rear seats don’t impress as much as the front ones do, and its interior quality is rather a hit-and-miss especially on the long-term build reliability. For the price it is offered, it triumphs over its competitors fairly easily when behind the steering wheel, but puts its tail between its leg when it comes to judging it when not driven excitedly. Nonetheless, it remains a great buy because none of the rivals bring the Italian engineering at your doorstep other than the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia.

FAQs

Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia reliable?

Some inferior plastics might raise doubts about the reliability factor of the Giulia but there's nothing to worry much in terms of safety. The Giulia has been awarded maximum ratings by the folks at IIHS after rigorous testing of its chassis in a series of crash tests. On the engine front, it's 2.0L unit might not be the most refined of the lot, but it surely is a trusted motor that can munch thousands of miles only if properly maintained.

How much does the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia cost?

The prices for the base variant start at $38,195 and go all the way up to $44,895 for the top-trim, TI Sport AWD. For more information on all the trims, check out the Trims and Configurations tab on the top of this page.

Is the Alfa Romeo Guilia offered as a coupe too?

No, there is no coupe variant available with the Giulia lineup. There is a sportier and more powerful Quadrifoglio variant though, but that's a 4-door sedan as well.

Does the Alfa Romeo Giulia come with a warranty?

Yes, the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia is backed by a 4-year/50,000 mile warranty which is pretty common with the manufacturers these days. For more information on the warranty front, head over to the Features tab on top of this page.