You might think the Alfa Romeo Giulia is one-of-a-kind, but think again. In the luxury sedan market, several competitors offer similar performance and luxury at comparable price points. The 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class all boast 4.5/5, making them strong alternatives to ponder.
But which one is right for you? Let’s delve into the design, driving experience, and features that set these cars apart.
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Key Takeaways
- The BMW 3 Series is a top competitor, praised for its smooth transmission and balanced ride.
- The Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class offer similar luxury and performance at comparable price points.
- The Volvo S60 is a more relaxed, cruising-focused alternative with a lower price tag.
- The Genesis G70 is a dark horse, boasting a beautiful cabin and smooth transmission, but lacking in exterior style and build quality.
- The Jaguar Mk 2 is a classic beauty with sleek lines, a powerful engine, and a spacious interior.
Ranking and Summary
In the quest for the perfect blend of performance and luxury, four cars stood out from the crowd.
You’ll find the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia in second place, praised for its potent engine and agile steering, but criticized for its infotainment systems and interior design.
The BMW 330i took first, impressing with its smooth transmission and balanced ride.
The Genesis G70 ranked third, admired for its cabin design and smooth transmission, but marked down for its exterior style and build quality.
Finally, the Volvo S60 trailed behind, suited for relaxed cruising rather than spirited driving.
Design Analysis
You’ll find the Alfa Romeo Giulia‘s design standing out, thanks to its well-proportioned underlying shape that allows for a sparing use of details.
This approach differs from the BMW G20 3 series, which has a conservative design with awkward elements, making the detailing look fussy.
In contrast, the Jaguar XE Project 8 has a distinctive front end treatment that’s not brash.
Three key design elements to ponder:
- Interior design: The Giulia’s interior is a masterclass in restraint, with a focus on the driver.
- Proportion: The Giulia’s well-proportioned shape allows for a clean, uncluttered design.
- Signature features: The Hofmeister kink, a signature BMW design element, is less pronounced in the G20 3 series.
Alfa Romeo Sedans
Alfa Romeo’s sedan offerings have been a mixed bag throughout the years, boasting some stunning models alongside less aesthetically pleasing ones. You’ve likely seen the Alfa 164 Cloverleaf or the Alfa 159, both considered beautiful sedans. On the other hand, the Alfa 166 didn’t quite hit the mark.
| Sedan Model | Aesthetic Appeal |
|---|---|
| Alfa 164 Cloverleaf | High |
| Alfa 159 | High |
| Alfa 166 | Low |
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a beautiful sedan that’s hard to ignore.
Other Beautiful Sedans
You’ll appreciate the sleek lines of the Jaguar Mk 2, a classic beauty that still turns heads today.
The Audi 100/200, with its modern design language that influenced future models, is another stunning sedan worth considering, alongside the Fisker Karma’s bold, futuristic styling.
These sedans showcase exceptional design, making them perfect alternatives to the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Jaguar Mk 2
The Jaguar Mk 2 is a sedan that exudes elegance and refinement, with its sleek lines, spacious interior, and powerful engine.
As a sports sedan, it’s a nostalgic favorite, often remembered for its association with British gangster films and TV shows.
- Design innovation: Its slim pillars, huge glasshouse, and almost Hofmeister kink in the rear doors made it a game-changer in the 1960s.
- Performance and luxury: Its combination of performance, handling, and luxury features made it a desirable car in its time.
- Enduring classic status: Its classic status has endured, and its design influence can be seen in many other sedans.
Audi 100/200
Its sleek, modernist design makes the Audi 100/200 sedans stand out as masterclasses in restraint.
You can’t help but notice the inspiration from the NSU Ro80, which paved the way for the Audi 100’s slim pillars and huge glasshouse.
The 1980s Audi 100/200 is often considered one of the most beautiful sedans, rivaling the Rover P5 Mk 2 coupe‘s concept of a sedan looking like a sports coupe.
As you grip the steering wheel, you can feel the influence of this design on later models like the B5 Audi A4 and its mini-me, the 8V Audi A3/S3.
Fisker Karma
Among luxury sedans, few boast a design as striking as the Fisker Karma.
Its sleek, futuristic lines are crafted from lightweight carbon fiber, making it both beautiful and efficient.
- Aerodynamic design: With a drag coefficient of 0.31, it’s one of the most aerodynamic sedans on the market.
- Powerful hybrid powertrain: Combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with an electric motor, the Karma produces 403 horsepower and 959 lb-ft of torque.
- Impressive range and performance: The Karma has a range of 230 miles and can reach a top speed of 125 mph, making it both eco-friendly and performance-oriented.
Overview and Pricing
You’re in the market for a sedan that’s quick, competent, and fun to drive, and the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0 has caught your attention.
The Giulia and Giulia Ti models are available in stock form, with the four-cylinder model considered the best option.
Examples with fewer than 30,000 miles are available for less than $20,000.
2018 and earlier models take a big depreciation hit, with prices around $12,000.
A 2017 Giulia is available at HGreg for $12,198, making it an affordable option for those looking for a luxury sedan.
Driving Experience and Features
When you get behind the wheel of a car similar to the Alfa Romeo Giulia, you’ll notice its handling is quite agile,
but the engine’s performance lacks the character of Alfa’s past engines.
You’ll hear the engine noise, which sounds unpleasant from inside the cabin,
and the transmission, though good, doesn’t quite match the Porsche PDK’s smoothness.
Handling and Performance
The Alfa Romeo Giulia’s handling and performance capabilities are where it truly shines, providing a driving experience that’s quick, competent, and fun to drive right out of the box.
You’ll appreciate the 1. Sport package, which adds sports seats that are spectacular, making the car more enjoyable to drive.
Additionally, you’ll enjoy the 2. exceptional handling, especially on track days, and the 3. Quadrifoglio’s exceptional performance, which makes it a great alternative to the BMW 330i.
The Giulia is a blast to drive, and its capabilities make it a great choice for driving enthusiasts.
Engine and Transmission
As you step on the gas, the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s 2.0-liter inline-four engine springs to life, producing 280 horsepower – 25 more than its BMW 330i counterpart.
Inside, the engine noise sounds like “dogs had a can of baked beans”, but it’s more pleasant to the ear when you’re outside.
The automatic transmission is good, but it can’t match the Porsche PDK.
You won’t find a manual transmission in the base model, and when you do, it’s “agricultural and unpleasant”.
Opt for the Sport package, and you’ll get a limited-slip differential, plus sports seats that are nothing short of spectacular.
Ownership Considerations and Challenges
Owning an Alfa Romeo Giulia, or any of its similar cars, means you’ll be taking on specific responsibilities and dealing with particular challenges that can impact your overall experience.
When considering ownership, you’ll need to think about the cost of insurance, which may be higher due to the car’s performance capabilities.
Additionally, you’ll need to factor in the following ownership considerations:
- Depreciation: Luxury cars like the Alfa Romeo Giulia tend to depreciate quickly, which can impact resale value.
- Specialized maintenance: These cars often need specialized maintenance, which can be costly and time-consuming.
- Limited aftermarket support: The Giulia’s unique design, you may find limited aftermarket parts and accessories.
Reliability, Service Costs, and Platform
You’ll want to scrutinize the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s reliability, service costs, and platform considerations, which can significantly impact your ownership experience. The Giulia’s platform, which it shares with the Stelvio, has been praised for its responsive handling and comfortable ride. However, some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system and transmission.
| Model | Reliability Rating | Service Costs (5 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 4.5/5 | $3,500 |
| BMW 3 Series | 4.5/5 | $2,500 |
| Audi A4 | 4.5/5 | $2,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 4.5/5 | $3,000 |
| Volvo S60 | 4.5/5 | $2,500 |
Comparison Features
Several key features distinguish the Alfa Romeo Giulia from its competitors.
When comparing the Giulia to similar cars, you’ll notice that it stands out with its well-proportioned design, sparing use of details, and competitive pricing.
- Sport package: Get sports seats and an LSD with the Sport package, making it a great option for those who want a more dynamic driving experience.
- The Giulia is automatic-only, except for the manual version, which is considered “agricultural and unpleasant”.
- The four-cylinder model is the best option, despite lacking the engine sound and character of Alfa’s past engines.
Conclusion
As you weigh your options, bear in mind that each luxury sedan is a token that reveals a unique driving experience. The Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Volvo S60 are all precision-cut tokens, each crafted to fit a specific driver’s style. Which one will you choose to reveal your perfect drive?
