Introduction

Alfa Romeo launched the Type 952 Giulia in the U.S. in 2017 to reintroduce the Italian marque on a large scale, as earlier products, such as the 4C and the 8C, were only available in much smaller numbers.  Hailed by many as the return of Alfa Romeo, the car was very well received in the press and lauded for its driving dynamics – just like it’s older predecessors in the 1960s and 1970s.  The Type 952 also experience some early teething issues – shared with its older brothers – with hardware and software systems requiring trips to the dealership for software updates and resets, along with some hardware replacements.  However, owners noted that when the Type 952 was fault free the car was very enjoyable to drive.  The 2018 Giulia 2.0 turbo appears to be quite a bit better with many issues resolved.  Like many Alfa Romeo’s of old the modern Giulia is very attractive inside and out, with a set of handling characteristics that need to be experienced.

Motor

The Giulia has a two liter turbocharged four cylinder motor producing 280 hp and 306 lb of torque.  Official 0 to 60 times vary a bit by model with the Q4 all wheel drive model achieving a time of 5.5 seconds and the rear wheel drive model achieving the mark in 5.7 seconds.  Interestingly, some magazines have clocked times of 5.1 seconds, which is very competitive in the segment.  Top speed is 149 mph.  The torque curve is strong and linear from 2,000 until 4,800 rpm, with some turbo lag from idle until hitting the 2,000 rpm marker. 

Transmission

A ZF eight speed automatic is the only U.S. transmission choice for the 2.0 liter turbo and the Quadrifoglio as well.  Certain specification/option packages add fixed steering column aluminum paddle shifters.  The TI I drove for this test did not have them, so in manual mode I needed to use the shift lever.  Automatic shifts were very smooth in all three driving modes and provided a very good gateway to the motor’s performance.  The transmission never got caught off guard and was quick up and down the gears.  The box didn’t hunt for gears, but like many eight speed (and nine speed) transmissions it is very efficient at finding a higher gear to optimize fuel consumption.  Dynamic mode resolves most of the drive toward efficiency and notches the fun factor up.

Chassis and Suspension

The chassis and suspension setup on the Giulia is spot on due to an extensive use of aluminum in the front and rear suspension, in the shock towers, and other mount points, providing well controlled and comfortable settings in both normal and spirited driving.  Combined with very quick steering – the steering ratio is quicker than the current BMW M3 or the AMG C63 – the car turns through corners beautifully.  As others have noted, suspension compliance and poise are class leading.  My day had me driving on smooth fast blacktop, chopped up winter pavement, a few short washboard dirt roads, and everything in between.  The Giulia’s chassis and suspension soaked it all up and then some which was wonderful.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics and comfort are very good.  This Giulia TI had the standard, non-sports seats and they were very comfortable with nice padding, easy access and exit, a range of settings and even surfaces.  My only complaint was the driver’s seat desire to automatically push back every time I got out, forcing me to move it around when I got back in the car.  Access to all of the major and minor systems was excellent with settings for temperature, radio, windows, locks, and sunroof all easily at hand.  The hood latch, while easy to get to, was very flimsy and initially didn’t work.  However, after some fiddling I was able to release the latch to see and film the engine bay.  The rotating switchgear for the infotainment system, drive modes, and radio were also front and center.  The infotainment rotator was sloppy as other reviewers have noted and should have been rock solid.  Overall, I would give the Giulia’s ergonomic flow good marks even as there is certainly room for improvement.

Wheels, Tires, and Brakes

The Giulia TI I drove came with attractive 18” silver wheels and all season Continental tires which provide good grip in a variety of conditions.  Larger rims with dedicated summer tires for even higher grip levels are available too with several color finishes.  The Brembo steel brakes offer strong performance and are integrated with a brake-by-wire Continental system.  The Giulia is the first car to use this system and some further calibration is needed.  Initial pedal bite could be better and the pedal feel for modulating the brakes during the last few feet of a stop is difficult.  No matter what approach I tried the last several feet of braking was abrupt with a feeling that I was still a new driver and hadn’t yet mastered the nuances of smooth stopping.  There is definitely further work to be done here.

Instrumentation and Electronics

The instrumentation on the Giulia TI – speedometer, tachometer, water gauge, fuel level – is very clear and the small screen in the middle is also very legible.  The infotainment system is good, but not class leading.  The system is a bit slow, the screen washes out in direct sunlight badly, and some of the information is in red, which is difficult to see.  I do think the navigation screen integration into the non-symmetrical dash is easy on the eyes.

The Giulia TI comes with plenty of electronic aids – collision warning, emergency brakes, traction control, chassis control – and with the addition of all wheel drive on the car I drove, there is definitely a feeling of purpose and security – as one would expect at this price point.

Style and Attention to Detail

Alfa Romeo has created some wonderful looking cars over the decades from the 8C 2900B in the 1930s, the boat tail Duetto in the 1960s, the Tipo 33, the GTA, the Disco Volante, the Giulietta, and others.  In some cases, they have been real watershed motorcars for driving enthusiasts and lovers of design alike.  The Giulia Type 952 is a very good looking car in my view and absolutely reflects the brand’s esthetic history and design values.

Walking around the car you can see all sorts of thoughtful details and surface finishes where someone spent hours refining them into cohesive whole.  From the integration of the front lights into the quarter panels or the crease line down the flanks of the car, the proportions really work.

Inside the cabin are thoughtful details, flattering color ways, and surface finishes that compliment each other well.  The Giulia I drove had a black and red interior with an open pore wood surface that made one feel good to be spending time in something where people really cared about such things.  Throughout my day in the car, not a single rattle could be heard.

There was cost cutting on display – hard lower plastic panels, a flimsy hood pull, the navigation rotary was not solidly mounted – but most of the components and touch points felt very good. 

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed my day in the Type 952 Giulia driving west and north of Columbia, MD on some curvy back roads and a portion of the historic National Road.  There is a great deal right with the car and it’s easy to bond with its approach to driving.  The suspension is wonderfully controlled in all driver setting and the cohesiveness of the package is obvious.  The car looks great inside and out and Alfa Romeo should be commended for a very good range of exterior colors and flattering interior tones.  The engine is powerful and punchy and the ZF eight speed shifts smoothly anywhere in the rev range.  I found base seats very comfortable and supportive for a day of driving and filming. 

I also appreciate the extensive use of aluminum and that all versions get a carbon fiber prop shaft, which with other weight saving details, keeps the heft down nicely.  You can really feel the even 50/50 weight distribution working for you in the bends, which combined with the quick steering, is very enjoyable.  Never nervous, but imminently flickable, the Giulia is very happy up on its toes.  It’s ready to dance if you’re a willing partner.

All is not perfect.  The turbo lag below 2,000 rpm is noticeable and while the dynamic mode helps there is a flat spot one must push though.  The Continental MK C1 brake-by-wire system needs further calibration work.  I could not finish braking smoothly at the end of a stop, which makes the driver feel clumsy.  However, combined with the Brembo brakes the car stops with authority. 

The 2018 Giulia TI I drove was completely reliable and the owner said he has not had any issues with the car.  The forums do report the 2018 is better than the 2017, but there are legitimate concerns about reliability.  I’m a big fan of gear that’s more emotional and expect more quirks as a result.  But electronic gremlins get old quickly and I’d like to see continued improvement here in 2019.

Overall, the Alfa Romeo Giulia offers something genuinely unique in the sea of near luxury car competition.  The Giulia’s focus on superior driving dynamics, extensive use of lighter weight materials, elegant proportions, and good looks is refreshing.  The car puts a smile on your face when your walking up to it or away and the good feelings continue on the inside because it makes you feel special.  The interior designers had the driver in mind when they penned the its layout.  Time will tell if the Giulia reaches its full potential as a genuine rival to the Germans and the Japanese.  I certainly hope so.

https://turo.com/rentals/cars/md/annapolis-junction/alfa-romeo-giulia/550595?searchId=kk6k6uA4

Happy Motoring