Why the Alfa Romeo Giulia is 2018’s Car of the Year
As written for The Safe Driver.
Even at first glance, it is easy to see why Motor Trend chose the Alfa Romeo Giulia as its Car of the Year for 2018, and prospective buyers will be delighted to know that its visual appeal is equally matched by the driving experience it provides.
The award, which was bequeathed by the leading automotive authority, can only be achieved by fulfilling a number of steep expectations various manufacturers all seek to outdo year after year. While it is not unexpected for a car with the Giulia’s pedigree to have clinched accolade, reviewers unanimously said that Alfa Romeo had bested its competitors by putting together class-leading features that could not be found together anywhere else in a very attractively-priced package.
This is the first opportunity for an Italian car to win Motor Trend’s prestigious award which has mostly been handed to German brands. Out of 26 contenders whittled down to eight finalists that included entries from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, the Alfa Romeo Giulia prevailed after being evaluated against six criteria: advancement in design, efficiency, engineering excellence, safety, value and performance of intended function.
According to an infographic by Alfa Romeo of Windsor, the premium D-segment
vehicle’s 2.0 liter GME MultiAir Turbo is certainly no slouch at 280hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, while the top-trim Quadrifoglio’s 2.9 liter, all-aluminum V6 Twin-Turbo easily outruns rivals BMW M3, Cadillac ATS-V, and Mercedes C63 S on the racetrack with 505hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. (click here for a larger infographic)
Even with this much power on tap, the Giulia still handles exceptionally well. As former Ford and Chrysler exec Chris Theodore succinctly put it, the Italian super saloon has the “Best steering, best chassis—this car saves the sport sedan market.” The car’s surprisingly fluid chassis, uncommon in its class, with its bespoke suspension tune keeps the cabin insulated from significant impact harshness on bumpy roads. There’s little to no body roll even when speeding through hairpin bends while the lithe and responsive steering, coupled with impressive traction allows the driver to push the car to its limits without fear of losing control.
The Giulia also deviates from its competitors in its interpretation of luxury. While it has become popular to imitate the German’s stark and minimalist design, Alfa Romeo retains its Italian heritage which has been described as ‘sensual’ and ‘cosmopolitan’. Unquestionably, the Quadrifoglio’s leather and carbon fiber-laden interior screams speed, but this comes at a premium. However, the leather seats and dark gray oakwood trims on the entry-level Giulias offer Versace-esque styling that can’t be found in other cars at its price point.
Despite the gutsy engine, the luxurious exterior and interior, and earning the Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS, the Giulia still manages to keep costs down and deliver top value in a cutthroat segment. The Italian steed’s 2.0 L engine is a miser compared to its peers, achieving a respectable 21.7/37.9/26.8 mpg city/highway/combined in Motor Trend’s Real MPG tests. In addition to fuel savings, the industry-standard 36-month, $399/month lease deal, and the newly launched a 24-month, $299/month lease deal should easily get the attention of any for customer with Maserati tastes on a Mazda budget.