While we await a full and proper assessment of the (admittedly thus far impressive) new Giulia saloon on Irish roads, Alfa Romeo’s future hangs somewhat in the balance. If the Giulia, and the forthcoming Stelvio SUV, fail to chime with buyers here, across Europe and the US, then Alfa is dead. Patience with the world’s most re-invented car maker will dissipate and the axe will finally fall. The Giulietta hatchback kind of shows both why that might be so and why it would also be a crying shame. Taken coldly and objectively as a rival to the Golf or the A3, it falls well short with refinement, overall quality and dynamics all in the debit column. And yet, it’s still a very likeable car. Looks far sexier than any other similar hatch help, but while it’s not good to drive it is oxymoronically actually rather fun to drive. Alfa has done much to improve the Giulietta’s refinement and quality since it was launched, and it’s been largely successful. Complete success is now what this storied brand needs.
Price range: €22,950 to €34,000
Co2 emissions: 99 to 144g/km
Which one? 1.4 TB MultiAir Super
PCP from €POA