Incredibly good to drive AND a great deal! (Alfa Romeo Giulia 2024 review)

Detailed review of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce, including handling, powertrain, ride quality, price and features.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a sporty and luxurious midsize sedan that competes with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jaguar XE and Volvo S60.

But unlike the BMW and Mercedes, the Alfa has increased in price only very gradually over the last few years, which now makes it very good value for money.

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:57 - Pricing vs rivals
2:18 - Missing features
2:47 - New technology
3:24 - Quality
3:45 - Sports seats
4:13 - Materials
4:30 - Driving position
5:21 - Back seats
6:18 - No wagon version
6:45 - 480L boot space
7:21 - Servicing and warranty
7:57 - Comprehensive insurance
8:14 - Fuel economy test
8:34 - Driving experience
9:25 - Turbo petrol engine
9:55 - Limited slip differential
10:12 - Automatic transmission
11:00 - Engine and exhaust sound
11:38 - Ride quality
12:18 - Suspension
13:05 - Development process
13:45 - Steering
14:50 - Rattles in our test car
15:48 - Drive modes
16:23 - Verdict

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[AndrasMenyo]

Bought a Giulia 6 months ago (pre facelift version) and I can honestly say this car is a dream to drive, while we are also able to use it as a family car (wife & one kid). Both the boot space and back seat space is sufficient for a family of three.
What I love most about this car is that nothing takes away your attention from driving. No big fancy screens, nothing high tech, just old school buttons, two paddle shifters, and a responsive steering wheel. Given that I am in my thirties I almost jumped on the EV+tech craze but the driving experience is more important for me than checking numbers on a giant screen while driving.

[vickihallman]

Bought my first Alfa in Dec. 2023; Giulia Véloce ‘24. I’ve owned every luxury brand and this is my favorite ever. WOW. To drive it is to love it. And it’s GORGEOUS

[alastairwatson]

Wow! An actual factual, no BS review. Nearly unheard of these days. Thanks.

[chrisgray]

Some friends have had an Alfa Romeo for over 5 years and it has been trouble free motoring...they want a Tesla but haven't switched yet because they love the Alfa!!

[WazzaG]

Thank you for an excellent review. I have owned 3 Alfas in my lifetime, the last a 1984 Giulietta 2L. We ended up keeping it 24 years as we loved it so much and had a great local mechanic.
No rust and no major mechanical issues; just those expected during that period of time.
Sold only due to health issues but if I can ever overcome them this is the car I will buy. You have convinced me.

[alexanderperry]

Cross shopped my '23 Estrema (with adaptive dampers, carbon fiber bits) against the M340i and S5. Down on power (and the sound of a 6 cylinder) but I don't regret my decision one bit. The Alfa looks and drives so much better than even the in between performance models the Germans make.

I also get questions about it every time I visit the gas station - I even got into a car show in a beach resort town inadvertently (was just trying to park, and they let me in as the car is so special and rare in North America). At the end of the day, I bought a car to drive it and to enjoy it, I didn't buy an app. And yes, you will look back at it every time you park it.

[confrantzeskos]

I bought an Alfa Giulia Veloce based on your previous review - the previous spec, in Alfa Red with tan leather seats. I had it de-mufflered by Exhaust World in North Melbourne. They have built a custom muffler for the Veloce. It now sounds magic - a lovely growl, no drone and it’s not garish or loud. It’s basically the perfect car. I love it. (And so does my wife).

[loceee]

I've owned a '17 Veloce for 3 years now. Go into the deal with your eyes open. Know that the dealer and support network in Aus (and most places) isn't great. You should find a specialist mechanic that loves working on them, and know that it will cost a little more to service (but nothing worse than other euros - and yearly intervals are nice). They have some quirks, but they are mostly endearing. You'll find excuses to hop in it. It's special. They deserve to have sold more, but it's kind of nice they are rare on the road at the same time! I liked it so much I picked up a Giuletta '15 QV to match up the set.

[charleskyriakou]

I've had my 2017 Giulia Veloce since Feb 2020 and absolutely love it! It's such a thrill to drive and I quite often receive compliments for how it looks. I know the back seat seems tight but I've got an 8 and 11 year old and they sit back there without any complaints, so I think it's a decent family hauler. The only major thing I've had go wrong with it in 3+ years of ownership was the high pressure fuel pump failed. Funnily enough, it's made by Bosch in Germany 🙂

Being a 2017 it also didn't come with Apple Carplay or Android Auto but that was easily rectified by ordering a self-install module from ENG-Custom in Italy. I now have wireless carplay and AA which I believe is a must-have these days, and renders the rest of the infotainment system useless anyway. I love the way the screen is seamlessly integrated into the dash though.

I definitely agree that Alfa should have done a better job with the exhaust note but I took mine to a reputable exhaust shop and it's now got a beautiful note without being too loud.

One thing I will correct you on though, is that I don't think Alfa removed the under thigh support adjustment, it just never had it. Mine is a 17 and you can't lift just the front base of the seat, only the rear. I agree with you however, that this is a significant omission that would have made the seating position so much more comfortable.


Thanks for a fair and great review.

[psychpadre]

Great review as always, Tom. I own a 2016 Giulia sport, remapped to something like 235 kw. No problems - excellent car. My frustration - when looking to update - is that the new Veloces I'm looking at are advertised for $87+ k. Fortunately, these things drop in price dramatically within a couple of years (when the 2nd hand market is a little more sane, that is.)

All said and done, the Giulia is the most enjoyable-to-drive car I have ever owned. By a huge margin..!

To any would-be Giulia owners out there, I say: go for it, you'll not regret buying a Giulia

[aus_life]

Wasn't even on my list of cars to consider, now it most definitely is one to test drive. Thanks for the good review, and you are right, this would be awesome as an estate.

[majorgify]

I've got a model year 2022 Giulia Veloce and love it. I could have waited and got a car with the new headlights and digital dashboard but prefer the old headlights and digital/analogue dashboard.

[theonetrader]

I have a 2024 Veloce in the States great drivers car...

[MegaRetr]

Tom, you are by far the most captivating car reviewer.

[prakashnarismulu]

Great review. Alfa is a niche product, that’s part of the appeal 😊

[PeterHausr]

Thanks for the very informative and fair review. I live on the west coast of Canada and after owning two Honda S2000's for 11 years I was ready for a bit more comfort. In August I bought a new 2023 Giulia Speciale, 2.0L in Verde Montreal. Alfa Romeo only produced 15 cars of this Edition for the Canadian market. It is a car that handles extremely well und is still comfortable to ride in. I can see the progress over the last 53 years, when I switch to a drive in my 1970 Giulia Super 1600.

[KylenExpress]

Tom, you are by far the most captivating car reviewer.
Even if I don't have a particular interest in the car being reviewed, I still somehow find myself watching it to the very end.
Well done 👌

[russellchristison]

High on my desirability list especially in red, a pity about no tan leather though. Great review

[dodelphi]

Great review as always...
I picked up my facelifted Giulia Veloce in September and absolutely love it. I went with the ALfa white and black sunroof and it looks gorgeous in my opinion. I finally upgraded from a Alfa 156 (V6 Busso) though I was reticent in moving to a 4 cylinder. However, I can honestly say the whole driving dynamics of the Giulia are superb and hence I happily live with my choice. My only regret is I miss the throaty 156 V6 exhaust note - but you can't have everything! I will need to look after this one for some time as Alfa is going all electric from 2025 onwards 🙁

[halfrousseau]

Nice review Tom - watched your last review of the AFG and was so moved by your observation that this is perhaps the last great european petrol car I had to buy one - insane value compared to the competition. And driving around Melbourne it feels truly special to own one in amidst the usual flotilla of Mercs and Beamers. Couple of further comments on items touched on here - 1. I do a lot of highway driving and get 5-6L using the A setting as opposed to leaving it in N - very little difference in terms of drive quality; 2. I also had a rattle in the cockpit, so an inherent problem perhaps - but cured in seconds with a neat rubber shim supplied by Stoprattle. It does feel a bit ridiculous to need a $2 bit of rubber to cure - but there may be some new Alfa owners this who could use the tip. Thanks Tom.