GOLD STANDARD – Alfa Romeo Giulia
Giulia’s award-winning ride and handling sets it apart from the competition
The Alfa Romeo Giulia was a winner again at the prestige Auto Express "Driver Power Awards", receiving the gold medal in the "Ride and Handling" category. The famous dynamic qualities of the Italian brand, which turn every journey into a thrilling experience always at the service of onboard comfort and safety, proved invincible yet again.
As well as being a manifesto of the "Meccanica delle emozioni" concept, the first model in the brand's new generation encapsulates the authentic Alfa Romeo spirit, incorporating the five ingredients that make it one of the world's most desirable brands on the automotive stage: distinctly Italian styling; innovative, state-of-the-art engines; impeccable weight distribution; unique technical solutions; and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.
Driver Power is the United Kingdom's broadest and fullest customer satisfaction survey, using data collected from thousands of owners, covering everything from reliability to performance and convenience. The Driver Power survey, conducted for the seventeenth time this year, is a credible, real representation of new car owners' opinions.
Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler commented: "The Driver Power results could not be clearer: owners adore their Alfa Romeo Giulia cars. A score of 93% in the overall ranking is very impressive, and the Giulia's first place in the "Ride and handling" category confirms our road-testers' findings: the Giulia is a real dream to drive. Bearing in mind its high scores in the engine and safety categories, not to mention an incredible result with regard to style, obviously Alfa Romeo's decision to build a classical rear-wheel-drive sports sedan has proved extremely popular."
Andrew Tracey, Alfa Romeo UK marketing director, said: "The Auto Express Driver Power Awards are a reflection on what it's like to truly own a new car. The results from this year's awards show that the Alfa Romeo Giulia remains one of the best new cars to own, and the fact that this is based on the feedback from actual customers makes this extremely reliable and trustworthy."
Also worth a look: the Alfa Romeo Mx 5 and the Alfa Romeo Milano: A Glimpse into the Brand's Electrified Fu.
FAQ
Q: What does the Alfa Romeo Giulia cost in South Africa?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia starts from around R899,900 for the base 2.0-litre turbo model, while the high-performance Quadrifoglio variant will set you back approximately R1,599,000, making it a proper premium sports sedan that commands serious money.
Q: Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia reliable for daily driving?
The Giulia has improved significantly in reliability compared to older Alfa models, but it still requires more attention than German rivals like the BMW 3 Series, so budget for regular maintenance and find a good Alfa specialist to keep it purring.
Q: How does the Alfa Romeo Giulia compare to the BMW 3 Series?
The Giulia offers more character and emotion with its stunning Italian styling and engaging rear-wheel-drive dynamics, while the BMW 3 Series provides better build quality and resale value, so choose the Alfa if you want passion over practicality.
Q: What engine options are available in the Alfa Romeo Giulia?
South African buyers get the excellent 147kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the standard model, or the mental 375kW twin-turbo V6 in the Quadrifoglio, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia worth buying over a Mercedes C-Class?
The Giulia wins on driving excitement and head-turning looks, while the Mercedes C-Class offers superior interior quality and dealer network support, so pick the Alfa if you prioritise driving thrills and don't mind the occasional Italian temperament.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is absolutely worth buying if you want the most engaging sports sedan under R1,000,000 in South Africa. At R899,900, you get award-winning ride and handling that embarrasses cars costing twice as much, plus that intoxicating Italian character that makes every school run feel like a track day. The 147kW turbo engine provides proper punch, the rear-wheel-drive chassis is beautifully balanced, and the styling will still turn heads in ten years' time. Sure, it might cost more to maintain than a BMW 3 Series, and the interior plastics aren't quite Mercedes quality, but the Giulia delivers something its German rivals simply can't match: pure driving emotion. For enthusiasts who want their daily driver to stir the soul, the Giulia is the best choice in its class.
