Verdict

The slight design enhancements in 2016 have made a good-looking car even better but to call it an update is stretching things a bit. The new updates haven’t changed a great deal: the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is still an average-to-good car that has a few too many flaws to compete with the best in its class and isn’t quite characterful enough to look past them.

It’s a shame that Alfa didn’t spend more time plushing up the cabin. That said, it’s one of the more attractive looking mid-sized hatches out there and it has the emotive Alfa badge on its nose – if that’s all you’re looking for then you’ll find a car that drives adequately well and, with the new engine, offers competitive emissions and fuel consumption too.

Company car drivers will welcome the low running costs from this engine and gearbox, although the TCT gearbox is on the pricey side. 

The Giulietta QV is a beautiful car from the outside but beauty should run more than skin deep and cheap interior touches really let the car down. Add to that an underwhelming performance on the road and a steep price tag and the car becomes hard to recommend over more refined and fun to drive rivals.

The car produces an accomplished drive, which apart from lacking a little character, will tick many boxes for most.

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