Name: Alfa Romeo Giulia (2016 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Alfa Romeo Giulia
Rating: 53.0

Summary

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a premium mid-size saloon introduced in 2016 as a rear-wheel drive alternative to established German rivals. It was developed to restore Alfa Romeo’s reputation for sharp handling and driver engagement.

UK media reviews have consistently praised the Alfa Romeo Giulia for its steering, balance and performance, and it remains one of the more engaging cars to drive in its class. Its exterior design also continues to stand out in a conservative segment.

However, interior materials and dashboard technology have never fully matched the strongest premium competitors, even after mid-life updates. Running costs are relatively high, particularly for petrol models, and CO₂ emissions are only average by current standards.

Early reliability surveys were broadly positive, but more recent data has been significantly weaker. In the Expert Rating Index, the Alfa Romeo Giulia now has one of the poorest reliability records of any current model.

As of February 2026, the Alfa Romeo Giulia holds a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 53%. Strong media review scores are outweighed by high running costs, average warranty cover, an expired safety rating and a very poor reliability record.

Giulia highlights

Engaging rear-wheel drive handling
Sharp steering and strong performance
Distinctive exterior design
Comfortable ride quality
Strong media review consensus

Giulia lowlights

Very poor recent reliability record
High running costs
CO₂ emissions only average
Touchscreen and media system now feel dated
Euro NCAP safety rating expired

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized saloon
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £48,750 on-road

Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Winter 2022/23
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“Alfa Romeo’s 276bhp saloon might be long in the tooth, but it’s still a compelling alternative to the German establishment.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 9 / 10

Read full review

Evo

Sam Jenkins, Ethan Jupp

“The Alfa Romeo Giulia offers enough highlights to make it worthy of consideration for those wanting something different to the regular German rivals.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8.1 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

Andrew Charman

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The updates to the Giulia don’t really change the car’s basic recipe, but they do enough to keep it in the mix compared with its German rivals.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Veloce
Score: 8 / 10
“New technology updates and additional equipment make the Alfa Romeo Giulia more competitive, but in Veloce trim it’s still the way in which the Alfa Romeo drives and handles that makes it one of the best saloons on the market – and a worthwhile alternative to its more subdued German rivals.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“Overall quality is up, the connectivity is much better, and the instruments and infotainment have also been improved.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 9 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a characterful package that offers rear-drive thrills and plenty of Italian charm.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Adding a dash of Italian glamour to the otherwise formulaic executive saloon segment, the Alfa Romeo Giulia plays to the brand’s sporting traditions with slinky styling, sporty handling and a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic on all models.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Overall, the updates are welcome, but not game-changing, and sensible company car drivers will probably be looking elsewhere – especially when a plug-in hybrid BMW 3 Series is only a few hundred pounds more on P11D.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Veloce
Score: 8 / 10
“Handsome, great to drive and sweetly pitched, both in terms of performance for the money and chassis aggression versus refinement, the Veloce is a compelling proposition. It’s not perfect but it’s quite possibly the affordable Alfa sports saloon you’ve been dreaming of.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The tweaks brought via this new model have definitely helped to sweeten the deal, but the same fundamentals that made the Giulia so exciting in the first place have been left untouched.”
Author: Ted Welford
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Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia retains everything that made it good in the first place — the impressive powertrains, exquisite looks and exciting driving characteristics — and adds a dollop of improved quality to the mix.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Super
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia manages to pack an engaging and fun driving experience into a sharp-looking package, setting it apart as a genuine alternative in the mid-size saloon market.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a stylish, luxurious and great-to-drive alternative to established executive saloons like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.”
Author: Ben Custard, Andy Goodwin
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a sleek, stand-out saloon car that’s spacious and enjoyable to drive. Audi and BMW alternatives beat it on interior quality.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Sprint
“Style remains unchanged and is still the Giulia’s biggest selling point, although elements have been improved.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Veloce
Score: 10 / 10
“Like most things Italian – the Sistine Chapel, Sophia Loren, Margherita pizza – it’s really quite gorgeous.” (Chris Evans)
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Evo

Model reviewed: Veloce Ti
Score: 9 / 10
“The regular Veloce is already among our favourite sports saloons, and while the Ti is mainly a visual upgrade, it’s also an opportunity to refresh our memories.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Super
Score: 9 / 10
“For car buyers who have been put off diesels, the petrol-powered Alfa Romeo Giulia combines 48mpg economy with a sporty driving experience.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“In this Alfa Romeo Giulia review, we’re looking at the Italian manufacturer’s premium saloon that goes up against the German saloons that seemingly everyone wants to buy. But it rewards those who decide to think a little differently, with an attractive design and a great driving experience.”
Author: Andrew Brady
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Honest John

Model reviewed: 2.2 190ps
“This facelift represents a commendable job of improving the Giulia’s weak points and if you want a car that’ll stand out on the motorway and handle brilliantly, it could be the vehicle for you.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“It has some very likeable traits that make it a genuine alternative to the mainstay of otherwise bland looking upmarket saloons. We should also point out that the Alfa Romeo Giulia boasts superb handling.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.2-litre MultiJet diesel automatic
“Compromises aside, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is a welcome addition to the premium car ranks. If you can look past its shortcomings, and want an attractive, performance-focused saloon that stands out, the Giulia could be the perfect choice.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“While most buyers searching for a compact executive saloon opt for something with a German badge, the Alfa Romeo Giulia presents a compelling alternative.”
Read review

Motors

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“In an attempt to unseat (or at least unsettle) the German dominance in the executive saloon market, the Alfa Romeo Giulia offers a new angle on the market as it combines great design, fun driving and efficient engines – so basically combining all the good bits from everyone else.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Italian flair for the company car park.”
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed: Veloce
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce is a great car and cuts a striking image on the road and on the driveway compared to its direct rivals. If you want to try something a little different, then the Veloce is the sweet spot of the Giulia range.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Veloce
Score: 9 / 10
“Alfa Romeo’s changes to the Giulia might be described as minimal at best, but they have made a small difference. But while the Giulia may be better than before, and it remains one of the best cars to drive in this class, it still doesn’t quite have the all-round quality to match the likes of the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. They’re just that bit more polished.”
Author: James Fossdyke
Read review

Model reviewed: Veloce Ti
Score: 8 / 10
“A sublime sports saloon in the finest traditions of the genre, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Ti is fabulous to drive in every respect. Yet it’s also spacious and classy enough inside that it doesn’t feel like a compromise, while the five-year warranty should bring much-needed peace of mind.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Despite a number of disappointing flaws, the best Alfa Romeo in at least a generation.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia, no matter how it’s powered, is a very good looking and capable small sports saloon from Alfa. It’s the first compelling rival to the Germans from Alfa in over a decade.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2016
Date expired: January 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 98%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 60%

Notes on safety rating

The Alfa Romeo Giulia was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2016 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2023 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Giulia to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings may also have expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2026, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has not been assessed by Green NCAP. If the Giulia is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	38 mpg	D
Diesel models	53 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	166 g/km	D
Diesel models	140 g/km	C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	38	D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£408	D
Year 2	£1,011	E
Year 3	£1,540	E
Year 4	£1,836	E
Year 5	£2,428	E
Overall	£7,223	E

Running cost data supplied by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data for the Alfa Romeo Giulia offers generally below-average results.

Offering 34 mpg on average, petrol models are thirstier than the market average, though diesel models are much more economical. Insurance premiums are not very expensive, but not low cost either, and service and maintenance costs are higher than key rivals like the BMW 3 Series over the course of five years of ownership.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 69
Average repair cost: £1388.45
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), the Alfa Romeo Giulia holds a very poor reliability score of just 11%, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.

Several of the repair bills have also been hugely expensive, such as an average gearbox repair cost of more than £8,000. Electrical system repairs are also far more expensive than you’d expect to see, with an average repair bill of almost £3,000. Fortunately, both of these problem types have been relatively rare to date.

In owners’ surveys conducted by some magazines, the Giulia has scored very well. However, these are not based on verified objective workshop data like the information we have above.

If you own an Alfa Romeo Giulia, or are looking buy a second-hand model, you should definitely think about purchasing a used car warranty that covers these problem areas.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Alfa Romeo Giulia

Overall ratingC51%
New car warranty duration5 years
New car warranty mileage75,000 miles
Battery warranty duration0 years
Battery warranty mileage0 miles

Alfa Romeo’s new car warranty is better than average, and better than most premium brands in a similar price bracket as the Giulia.

The duration is five years, with a limit of 75,000 miles.

Warranty on a used Alfa Romeo Giulia

If you are buying an ‘Alfa Romeo Certified’ Giulia from an official Alfa Romeo dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Alfa Romeo Giulia from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Alfa Romeo Giulia from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Alfa Romeo Giulia

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Date: September 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2020 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 973
Defect: The automatic headlight position sensors may not have been calibrated and therefore the function does not comply with the requirements of ECE R48.
Remedy: Recalibration of the automatic headlight position sensors and alignment of the headlights.

Date: January 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 157
Defect: Due to a production nonconformity there may be the possibility of a fuel leak from the fuel pressure and temperature sensor.
Remedy: Replace the front fuel supply pipe and sensor.

Date: September 2021Model types: AllBuild dates: 06/2021Number of vehicles affected: 37Defect: The vehicle may not comply with ECE Regulation 16 Amendment 07 where all seats must be equipped with a safety belt reminder function with visual and audible indication of seat belt status.Remedy: Conduct a software update to ensure the seat belt indication is available for all occupied seats.

Date: January 2020
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 57
Defect: The seats may not lock in the correct position.
Remedy: Check and replace the seat frame if necessary.

Date: December 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2017 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 116
Defect: Fuel leakages may occur and fumes may form inside the passenger compartment.
Remedy: Fit a new plug and seal to the fuel fitter assembly.

Date: September 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2016 to 08/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2,402
Defect: More fuel than actually present in the tank could be displayed on the instrument panel.
Remedy: Update the software of the control module which governs fuel level management.

Date: July 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2016 to 06/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 493
Defect: Undesired acceleration of the vehicle may occur whilst active cruise control is operational.
Remedy: Update the software in the brake system module.

Date: March 2018
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2017 to 12/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 11
Defect: The brake/clutch system components may be damaged and system performance may decay as a result of the potential presence of mineral oil in the brake-clutch fluid because the components are not compatible with mineral oil. As a result brake/clutch system performance may deteriorate.
Remedy: Replace the components in the brake-clutch system.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Alfa Romeo Giulia. These cover headlights, fuel system, seats, software and brake issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Alfa Romeo dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Giulia, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.