2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia

When Italians engineer, they know exactly how to sculpt beauty with power and with the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the dear Giulia knows how to make you smile. While you may not find this sedan a practical buy, and when we use practicality, we mean this is not really a family car. But, if you’re someone who knows the manufacturer’s heritage, and know the sibling-love it shares with Ferrari, you’d know the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia is a sports sedan deserving to take the crown for the best in the segment.

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 in 6 different configurations, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is further separated in two drivetrains – RWD and AWD – which sees $2000 difference between them. Starting from $38,195 for the base Giulia RWD sedan, all trims apart from the highest and sportiest trim – Quadrifoglio at $73,700 which also comes only as a rear-wheel drivetrain – are powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain mated to 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Quadrifoglio is powered by a V6 engine sourced from Ferrari, boasting mighty 505 horses and 443lb.-ft of torque. 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	Quadrifoglio
MSRP (RWD)	$38,195	$39,445	$40,195	$42,695	$42,895	$73,700
MSRP (AWD)	$40,195	$41,445	$42,195	$44,695	$44,895	N/A
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	Carbon fiber active aero front splitter
	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	2.9L V6 Twin-turbocharged engine at 505hp and 443lb.-ft torque
	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	Carbon fiber rear spoiler
	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	-	-	-	-	-

“In any guise, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia is thrilling—if not exactly relaxing—to drive.”-thecarconnection

Engine and Transmission

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.

Giulia’s engine is athletic and strong, and power delivery is readily provided. Coming to the automatic gearbox, the shifts are seamless, quick and responsive. Alfa’s DNA driving selector (Dynamic, Neutral and All Weather 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.

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 Stinger stings mostly the Mercedes.

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

Acceleration

Powered by the 2.0L under the hood whizzes the Alfa Romeo Giulia from naught to 60 mph in 5.5s while sprinting the quarter mile in 14.1s. The Mercedes C300 is the only sedan which evens the Italian while the rest of 2 liters in the competition take longer.

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

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 under your control. 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 smile the excitement driving this sedan would bring you.

Braking

With around 13” rotor diameters fitted in the Giulia, they stop the 3500 pounds from 60 to a standstill in 124 feet – an average effort. The brake feel is precise and responsive. On the other hand, 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 stopping distance.

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)	-

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.

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

“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 5, the Giulia’s cabin is where the Italian seem to fall a tad short in contrast to the outside. Not to call it substandard, some of its rivals have better quality found in here. Around the cabin is ambient lighting with door trim panel. Leather upholstery are installed on the seats, and dive onto 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, they have better space than the ones found in the rear, especially for tall adults. Comfort levels are even on both the seating area. Noise isolation is good but evident creaks were found, 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 bearable, but improvement abound.

Interior Features

Some of the interior features are –

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

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

Infotainment System

Sat in the middle of the dash is the Romeo’s familiar 6.5” infotainment system controlled by a knob sat on the center console. The system is fairly intuitive, simple and easy to use, and its controller knob 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

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 an average 13 cubic feet of volume in the back. The Kia Stinger has an immense 23.3 cubic feet of space, crowning it the king amongst the rivals. Lexus IS 300 and Genesis G90 share the lowest space offered compared to their rivals.

Model	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Genesis G90	Mercedes C300 4Matic	Jaguar XE	Infiniti Q50	Kia Stinger	Lexus IS 300
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	13.0	10.5	12.6	16.1	13.2	23.3	10.8

“The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia has curves in all the right places”. -thecarconnection

Design and Measurements

Ah Italians; they model some of the most beautifully designed cars out there and with the 2019 Alfa Romeo Guilia’s this is no different. As an unchanged form from the previous model, the sedan has a refreshingly sporty, aggressive, and elegantly curvaceous design element all across the body. The 4-door runs along 111” wheelbase while the full length of the sedan measures 182” long sat atop the stylish 17” 10-spoked aluminium wheels. Standing tall at 56”, it is 73” wide and weighs around 3500 lbs.

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 sides, 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 popped out for better rear visibility. Perched behind the fenders is a meshed-air intake. Gracefully modelled rear design sees LED taillights, and an aesthetically bold quad tailpipes on either sides.

Exterior Features

The Alfa Romeo Giulia has some of the following exterior features –

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

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

Equipped with plenty of safety features, the Italian beauty they named Giulia is as caring as the name implies natively. Some of those carefully kitted 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 Q50 caters towards practicality. It bows down to the passengers and the driver while the Giulia bows down to its driver alone. Moreover, the Japanese sedan packs an enormous boot space with 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 way ahead. The Italian is a sporty, driver-focused sedan while the German’s C300 is attuned towards the entry-level comfort and luxury. As performance goes, it is no surprise the Mercedes stands no chance to 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 costs just over $5000 affordable than the Alfa Romeo Giulia. While the premium compact Korean sedan is by no means a sport sedan 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 sees judgement inching towards the Kia, 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 the 2019 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 wheels, 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 are the Italian engineered Alfa Romeo Giulia.