Used Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2010-present review

Although there are a number of excellent cars available in the family car class, not many can claim to offer much in the way of style. However, any car bearing a name as wonderfully romantic as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta certainly has a head start.

To a certain degree, it looks the part, taking hints from great Alfas of the past, from its distinctively shaped bonnet and offset numberplate through to the hidden rear door handles and neat red LED tail-lights.

But in this competitive class, looking good isn’t enough. Luckily, the Giulietta has a wide range of engines and even the least powerful ones give decent performance. Petrol fans can choose from a 1.4-litre unit with either 118bhp, 148bhp or 168bhp, or a 237bhp 1.75-litre engine that’s fast enough to frighten all but the hottest of hatches. Meanwhile, there’s a 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel that’s not overtly rapid but offers plenty of useful mid-range punch to ensure a relaxing drive. The 2.0-litre diesels with 148bhp or 172bhp are fast but, for most people, the 1.6 will do the job just as well.

You can change the reactions of the engine, brake and steering functions via the standard driving mode selector. Although the Giulietta grips and handles well, it never feels terribly communicative or fun to drive. Added to that, it doesn’t ride very well, and sharper intrusions and potholes can send thuds through the car. Refinement levels are average, with engine noise mingling with too much road noise.

Giulietta drivers will also have to put up with a slightly uncomfortable driving position, despite some built-in adjustability, with badly positioned pedals and a high-set steering wheel. Moreover, rear visibility isn't great due to the car’s thick rear pillars. There’s just about enough room up front for taller people, but rear-seat passengers have very little leg or head room.

Of more concern to many potential owners might be the Giulietta’s poor crash test results. When it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, it scored just three stars out of five, with chest and neck protection for adults in the rear brought into question. Pedestrian protection also scored poorly, while the car lacks modern safety systems such as automatic emergency braking.

However, if you can brush these matters aside and you want a stylish alternative to the usual run of family cars, a used Giulietta is worth a look. Prices are competitive and it’s unlikely that you’ll see the same car in your next-door neighbour’s driveway.

You can get high-mileage Giuliettas for less than £4k, at the time of writing, but we think it’d be worth spending more to purchase one with an average mileage for the year. Between £5000 and £6000 should net you a 2010-2012 car with a full service history and an average mileage, bought from an independent dealer. Up the budget to £7000-£9000 and you’ll start to find 2013 – or even some 2014 – models that fulfill the same criteria.

The most economical variant in the range is the 1.6 JTDm 120 diesel with a claimed average fuel consumption of 74.3mpg, closely followed by the 2.0 JTDm 150 diesel with a claimed 67.3mpg in certain trims. The top-performing petrol engine is the 1.4 TB Multiair 170 with the TCT (automatic) gearbox, with a claimed figure of 57.7mpg, beating the 51.4mpg of the 1.4 TB 150 engine with a manual gearbox.

Tax for 1.6 diesel should be cheap if it was registered before the tax changes that came into force in April 2017, and insurance in the line-up ranges starts from 15 all the way to 30 for the 1.75 TBi Veloce version.

Alfa servicing can be pricey through main dealers, although the brand offers an Easy Care servicing package for used cars that allow you to set up direct debit payments for upcoming services.

All the petrol engines are smooth and powerful; if you can afford the fuel, then we’d recommend seeking them out. However, the best engine in the range is the 1.6 diesel. It’s not overtly rapid but offers plenty of useful mid-range punch, so it’s relaxing to drive. It’s the most economical, too. The 2.0 diesels are fast but, for most people, the 1.6 will be enough.

All Giulietta models come with a decent amount of standard kit. Entry-level models (badged Giulietta) are at least on a par with most rivals and come with air conditioning, 16in alloy wheels, a DAB radio, four electric windows and Bluetooth. Sport adds 17in alloy wheels, but it’s not too much of a price jump to Super, which we think is worth seeking out, because this adds desirable goodies such as dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control and a height-adjustable passenger’s seat.

Tecnica trim is mainly for business buyers. It has everything that lesser models have, plus metallic paint, privacy glass, auto lights and wipers, and power-folding door mirrors. What’s more, you get a 6.5in infotainment system that includes sat-nav.

There are two sporty versions. Speciale comes with 18in alloys, part-Alcantara trim, front and rear parking sensors, as well as sporty interior and exterior detailing. The flagship Veloce model comes with the most powerful engine, plus lowered sports suspension and twin exhaust tailpipes to match.

Our favourite Alfa Romeo Giulietta: 1.6 JTDm 120 Super

The Audi A3 Sportback is a premium car with a range of punchy and efficient engines, a high-quality interior and an excellent infotainment system. It’s great to drive, too, and comfortable to travel in. The ride can be firm, depending on trim level and wheel size, but otherwise this is one of our favourite family cars.

The Skoda Octavia is actually based on a stretched version of the A3’s platform. It features a spacious and classy interior and a range of excellent engines, as well as being good to drive and competitively priced as a used buy. Its interior is huge and the 590-litre boot dwarfs anything else in the class.

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