• Petrol only
• Strong acceleration
• Sharp handling

Petrol engines

The engine options for the Alfa Romeo Giulia include a 2.0-litre petrol, and a fire-breathing 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged petrol in the Quadrifoglio performance model that gets its own review. All use an eight-speed automatic gearbox that switches its gears quickly and smoothly without ever getting caught out between ratios. We appreciated the shift paddles too, which are huge, made of solid metal and attached to the steering column rather than the wheel so they don’t move around as you steer.

The 2.0-litre, 280hp petrol engine is the entry point for the range. It’s keen to rev, sounds good and is smooth while delivering strong performance. 0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds and top speed is 149mph – figures which sit somewhere between the 330i and 340i variants of the BMW 3 Series.

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Every car gets Alfa’s DNA drive mode switch as well. This allows you to adjust throttle response between Dynamic (sharper), Normal (default) and Advanced Efficiency (duller for better fuel economy). This rotary switch is conveniently positioned by the gearlever and easy to use without having to look down.

What’s it like to drive?

• Class-leading handling from the Giulia
• Few other cars as engaging or approachable
• Quadrifoglio is a different league

This is one area where the Giulia shines. It’s a very balanced car with a huge amount of grip and steering that lets you know lots about what is happening under the front wheels.

It’s rear-wheel drive like all its rivals bar the Audi A4, and that’s one reason it’s so rewarding to drive. Turn the steering wheel and you’ll be surprised at first by how responsive it is – it doesn’t take much of a twist for the front wheels to follow suit – but after a minute or two you dial in to its swift response.

The Giulia is also a comparative lightweight compared to its rivals with their heavy hybrid systems, something which makes it feel lightfooted and agile on the road.