Alfa Romeo Giulia Still smitten despite some issues
It’s beguiling, even when you’re parked on the hard shoulder
This being an Alfa Romeo, the odd foible was probably to be expected, and the Giulia hasn’t disappointed in that respect so far. However, I’m already so charmed by Alfa’s new super-saloon that it’s going to take something major to make me think any less of it.
The alarm sometimes goes off for no apparent reason and gives ‘break-in attempt detected’ warning messages after the car has been sitting outside overnight (six times in a month). The brakes aren’t easy to modulate at low speeds, making the simple act of coming to a smooth stop surprisingly challenging. And the engine went into limp-home mode in the 50mph average speed zone on the M3 motorway one Sunday, fortunately coming right after being I switched it off and waited on the hard shoulder for a few minutes.
Obviously, I don’t ever want to be stuck on the side of the road, so we’re getting the QV checked over just to be on the safe side, but these issues haven’t fundamentally changed my view of the Giulia. In short, I’m completely smitten with it.
I’ve been asked whether the QV makes a good daily driver, and the answer is yes. Around town and on the motorway, it’s perfectly refined and comfortable, with a surprisingly compliant ride. It’s far from being the noisy bone-shaker that people seem to be expecting.
Crucially, it’s also engaging and fun, at any speed. The way it arrows into corners and its poise and adjustability are quite breathtaking, especially when you remember that it’s a four-door saloon, not a supercar. Honestly, I savour the prospect of driving anywhere in the QV – even to work on a Monday morning.
With a few road trips in the pipeline, I’ll get a chance to form a better opinion of the optional Sparco front seats. I was a little worried about how comfortable they’d be, but so far they’ve been fine, although I do have to wriggle around a bit to get settled, and there isn’t a lot of space for air to f low around my posterior. They aren’t as adjustable as the standard ones, though, and can’t be heated, so I’m yet to be convinced. They do look great, though.