2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema - POV Review

Press release:
Based on the top-of-the line Veloce trim, Estrema models bridge the step to the high-performance Quadrifoglio model with standard adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential
Unique exterior and interior design include carbon fiber veneer
Estrema is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with best-in-class standard horsepower at 280, routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard Q4 all-wheel drive on Stelvio Estrema (optional Q4 on Giulia Estrema)
Estrema is the first globally available limited-edition series from Alfa Romeo
2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema will be available in the third quarter of 2022

March 28, 2022 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Alfa Romeo introduces the limited-edition Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema series. This new offering is the first time Alfa Romeo has created a globally available limited model.

Engineers started with the premium Veloce trim level and added driving dynamics technology from the high-performance Quadrifoglio model, including standard Alfa Active Suspension. The advanced suspension technology reads the road and quickly adjusts shock valving to deliver greater handling characteristics at speed while maintaining a comfortable ride. The control system acts according to the selected mode on the Alfa Romeo DNA performance switch in the center console. Estrema models benefit from continuous dynamics and weight collaboration with Alfa Romeo’s F1 Team ORLEN to get the most out of Formula 1 know-how.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio include standard active cruise control, Active Blind-spot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning with full stop capability. An optional Active Assist Plus package includes:

Driver Attention Alert
Intelligent Speed Assist
Highway Assist System
Lane Keep Assist
Traffic Sign Recognition
Traffic Jam Assist
Active Blind-spot Assist with braking
Security alarm

The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are shared with Giulia and Stelvio models. The Estrema adds Alfa Romeo’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system standard on the Stelvio and optional on the Giulia. The direct-injection engine delivers best-in-class numbers for a standard powertrain with 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. That output helps deliver quick acceleration times:

Giulia: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds for RWD and 5.1 seconds for AWD
Stelvio: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds for AWD
Additional technology the Estrema model shares with the Quadrifoglio includes a limited-slip rear differential, which distributes torque and traction during acceleration.

The limited-edition Estrema models are available in four colors:

Alfa White
Alfa Rosso
Misano Blue
Vulcano Black

Both Stelvio and Giulia also include a dual-pane sunroof that allows more natural light. The interior is finished off with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and wireless phone charging.

Pricing:

Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema RWD - $55,090
Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema AWD - $57,090
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD - $58,950
Prices exclude a destination of $1,595

The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are highly recommended!

Here's the equipment I use (with affiliate links):

I'm also the producer for the Winding Road YouTube Channel:

Thanks for watching!

[robys]

7 years have gone by since the Giulia was introduced in the market. Still, after all this year the Alfa Romeo Giulia is a gorgeous car and one of the best. Shame it did not sell well.

[yashkotadia]

Finally a video on non-QV model of Giulia. This car is so underrated yet gets the most looks among Audis, BMWs and Mercedes. @TheTopher you are probably the second person who has filmed on normal Giulia since 2020! Thank you for this !! I knew all these amazing things about Giulia which made me get one😊😊

[whaaq]

0:00 walk around
6:22 drive/thoughts
13:18 take off
17:31 sound test
18:52 final thoughts
19:50 one last drive.

[jp_]

For those who don’t know/are unfamiliar: you can program in ‘Race’ mode from the QV into the 2.0 Giulias which allows you to turn off TCS — mind you that does mean paying for a MultiECUScan license, a set of adapters and a bypass for the SGW (~120 bucks all in)

[UnknownNY-eevb]

5.1 sec 0-60 and 280HP out of a 2 liter engine is more than enough. I'd say anything in the 4 second range and normal people are not able to handle that much power. This car has been my dream car ever since it launched. However, I am Bias and very lucky as my first car was the predecessor to this, the 1994 164 LS. It was like a bat out of hell had a 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and had heated seats IN 1994!! I do believe this car would be the perfect car for most people as most people really don't need an SUV.

[frumpd]

I've put 40K on my 2018 and it's been more reliable and way sweeter to drive than our last three Audis. The rear-based Q4 system is also epic in the winter.

[timothybracken]

i love alfa romeo, i test drove the stelvio and it was absolutely amazing. Fell in love with the handling and stopping power was awesome. Those paddle shifters are also underrated! Very responsive Tranny too

[YTKaedeIchigo]

Topher thank you for these wonderful videos! The intro was really funny!

[Kamukix]

That opening was awesome 😁👍

Also great to see some more Alfa 😍😍😍

[i_mixr]

OMG I LOVE THE INTRO!! THANK YOU FOR THE ITALIAN ACCENT! I absolutely love your POV reviews since I can imagine what I would feel like driving the car myself.

[DemonNeno]

I can't stop eyeing these cars...

[edmi]

I just this Giulia....i think it's the most beautiful 4 dr sedan inside & out right now!!

[willamend]

I leased a 2021 Alfa Giulia Ti Sport earlier this year. It is blue with the black out package and white leather. I call her Azula (if you're a fan of the last airbender, it makes sense). I have been wanting to do a review on the car for a while now, because these cars are SO misunderstood. I have 10K miles on my car now, and have not had any issues with it at all (fingers crossed). If I was to describe the car in one word it would be: Perfect.

The car has its fair share of issues, but the pros out weight the cons. For example my cons are: Key fab is WAY to big, I wish there was more center console storage, and I find the alfa infotainment to be very slow and non-responsive some times. But, somehow, I completely forget about all of these issues when I turn the car on and drive. The driving dynamics and the performance are absolutely incredible. As I mentioned above: Perfect. It is not over powered and it is not under powered. I never feel like I am out of control or the car is driving me; I am driving the car and the car responds to me. It is absolutely gorgeous and stunning to look at. One of my favorite aspects of owning the car is that very few people know what it is and the compliments are just incredible.

To end my comment here: I was spiritedly driving along with a 5.0 mustang in N mode and kept up with him at a speed that is in the three digits and after we slowed down and regrouped he rolls his window down and says, "I had no idea those things were that quick". Yessir it is, and it has half your cylinders and and 200 less horsepower, I'm glad you noticed.

[jjchockey]

So glad you finally got into a 2.0T one! I think this is one of the most underrated cars around. Especially used, you can get a 2018 with the same adaptive dampers and LSD for around 30K. Phenomenal steering and turn in, super balanced, great transmission, and still very comfortable and refined. Fantastic Daily. I would take one over an S3 any day of the week. Simple tune will give you a 12.8 1/4 mile and remove that traction control.

[Zach-pshv]

As an owner of the sprint trim, I really enjoyed the video and think your review was fair. While there are certainly downsides (tech being the major one), it is just a blast to drive and, at the end of the day, that's my main concern. If you can get your hands on one, I'd love to hear your insights on the Tonale.

[culley]

These are used bargains. I picked up a 2020 TI sport Q4 and loved driving it for the few months I had it. Not the quickest out there, but still quite fun. Everything seemed well made. You can pick one of these up just a few years old for a massive deal.

[NOrlando]

So I’ve had 2 Giulia TI Sports, my first was a 2017 awd car that I got used, not many options besides ti with sport pack. I traded it in at roughly 73k miles for a 2019 5K miles rwd ti sport with the lsd and adaptive dampers and a few more goodies. I live in the northeast and put my car on snow tires and the car does fairly well in the snow. I’ve driven through blizzards at a normal pace for the conditions without issue, if you are mindful that you have a rwd car it’s really not an issue assuming you have the correct tires. One thing to note about the rwd car is that I think they do similar boost by gear to the quadrifoglio, as first and second you definitely don’t have all the torque available, the awd car gives you it all from a dig in first.

[giorgiotommasini]

thumbs up for being able to pronounce "Estrema" correctly!!

[norelz]

Your pronounciation of "estrema" is actually spot on 😂

[bpp]

You only appreciate the handling when you drive it. Best handling machine I ever had in 60 years of driving. It's DNA is Ferrari derived.