2023-11-07 23:14:41
• Auto123 tests the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema.
As a compact sports sedan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is both little-known in North America and very popular with fans of the genre who have driven it. With its solid performance and typically Italian design, the Giulia has carved out a small place for itself in a competitive segment.
Please note, the Giulia Estrema is a new variant for 2023. It slots into the range between the Veloce and top-of-the-range Quadrifoglio models.
Photo : D.Boshouwers
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023, profile
Design of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
With this Giulia, Alfa wanted to make sure it found a balance between style and performance. Despite a number of contemporary flourishes, the current model is not a radical departure from its predecessors. It retains the brand’s signature clean and sporty design language, so the front end features Alfa Romeo’s iconic triangular grille, now flanked by sharp LED headlights. Some may find this grille a little too imposing. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t. In any case, it’s bold, while being less garish than some of BMW’s bigger grilles.
In profile, the Giulia Estrema has a well-proportioned silhouette with a long hood and a slightly sloping roofline, which contributes to its sporty character. This character is further accentuated by the dark-tinted 19-inch alloy wheels. The rear features quad exhaust tips and a subtle spoiler, contributing to its aerodynamic profile.
Photo: Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce 2023
Interior of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema
As is tradition at Alfa Romeo, the interior is driver-focused. The materials used are high quality, with a mix of leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber accents. The sports seats offer good support and comfort, to the pleasure, above all, of the driver. The second row doesn’t offer much head and leg room.
Although the multimedia system is a step in the right direction compared to its predecessors, it falls short of competitors like BMW’s iDrive or Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The 8.8-inch touchscreen is responsive, but the user interface isn’t as intuitive, and the system lacks the advanced voice control features found elsewhere.
Cargo space is acceptable – this is a compact sports sedan, remember – but the trunk opening is narrow, which can make introducing a larger suitcase tricky, if not impossible. Let’s just say I had to persist to fit a hockey bag.
Photo : D.Boshouwers
The front of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema
Engines and versions of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Giulia can be had with two powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (280 horsepower, 306 lb-ft of torque). It offers respectable performance, going from 0 to 100 km/h in around 5.5 seconds. However, the engine doesn’t offer the same low-end power as some competitors and could benefit from a smoother stop-start system. All-wheel drive is standard on all models. In fact, only the Quadrifoglio variant can benefit from a rear-wheel drive configuration.
The top-of-the-range Quadrifoglio model is equipped with a 2.9-liter V6 developed in collaboration with Ferrari. With 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, it’s undeniably quick, going from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds. This engine delivers a thrilling driving experience, with a breathtaking exhaust note.
Here are the variants of the 2023 Giulia and their starting price in Canada:
2023 Giulia Sprint – 56 895 $ 2023 Giulia TI – $59,795 2023 Giulia Veloce – $63,995 2023 Giulia Estrema – $66,495 2023 Four Leaf Clover – $95,445
Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023 technique card
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce 2023 technique card
Alfa Romeo Giulia TI 2023 technique card
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 2023 technical sheet
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2023 technique card
Photo : D.Boshouwers
Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023 red
Drive of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
What it doesn’t offer in raw punch, the Giulia Estrema makes up for in handling dynamics. If you like sporty and engaging driving, this is for you. The chassis is well balanced and the suspensions provide a comfortable and agile ride. The steering is precise and provides very pleasant feedback, and the car follows curves very well. In most situations, but especially on winding country roads, this is a very, very pleasant sedan to drive.
But if you want more raw power, and your budget allows it, there’s the Quadrifoglio model. The power of its V6 is impressive, and the model’s handling makes it a pleasure on winding roads. The adaptive suspension allows the driver to adjust the driving experience to their liking, but it can be a little firm when adopting the sportiest settings.
The Giulia isn’t as refined as some of its German rivals. Road and wind noise can be annoying at speed, and the build quality may not meet the expectations of those accustomed to the precision and craftsmanship of the competition’s cabins. Additionally, Alfa Romeo’s track record on reliability has raised concerns, and the brand has yet to resolve all of its problems.
Photo : D.Boshouwers
Aperçu de l’Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
The final word
If the pleasure of driving a car that remains practical on a daily basis is important to you, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema is an attractive choice. It offers distinctly Italian styling, two distinct powertrains and satisfying performance that you can upgrade to thrilling levels if you opt for the dressed-up four-leaf clover version.
The Estrema is designed for buyers who want a more upscale Giulia, but don’t want to spend the extra $25,000 for the Quadrifoglio variant’s powerful V6.
It’s worth noting, however, that the Giulia lags behind in interior technology and build quality, and concerns remain about its reliability. Potential buyers should weigh these factors against the competition to determine if this Italian sports sedan is the right choice for them.
Photo : D.Boshouwers
Logo of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
Some of your questions about the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema
Is the Giulia Estrema suitable for daily and practical use?
Sporty and dynamic it is, but the car also offers a comfortable and well-equipped interior, making it suitable for daily commutes and long journeys.
What is the fuel consumption of the Giulia Estrema?
Although the Giulia Estrema emphasizes performance, it offers reasonable consumption, if not best in class in the sports sedan segment. The official figures are 10.5 liters/100km in the city, 7.7 liters/100km on the highway and 9.2 liters/100km in combined driving.
The competitors of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
Acura Integra Audi A4 BMW Série 3 Cadillac CT4 Genesis G70 Infiniti Q50 Lexus IS Mercedes-Benz Classe C Volvo S60
Photo : D.Boshouwers
Exterior design of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema
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