ALFA ROMEO GIULIA NAMED MOTOR TREND'S 2018 CAR OF THE YEAR
The editors of Motor Trend have named the Alfa Romeo Giulia as its 2018 Car of the Year, best representing exceptional value, superiority in its class and impact on the automotive scene.
Motor Trend's Car of the Year program is open to any all-new or substantially upgraded 2017 model year vehicles. Rather than being compared against one another, contending vehicles are first put through Motor Trend's full battery of performance tests to measure acceleration, braking, and limit handling.
All contenders are then evaluated on three separate courses at a professional automotive test centre before finalists are selected. Out of 46 contending 2017 models - the third largest ever - Motor Trend's judges picked 10 Car of the Year finalists, including the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
All "Of the Year" contenders were selected by Motor Trend judges and evaluated against six key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, efficiency, value, and performance of intended function. The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia best represents these six key elements, which also characterize what consumers most want in their next vehicle.
Contenders are put through a gruelling battery of tests to determine which vehicles best represent exceptional value, superiority in its class and impact on the automotive scene. The 2018 Car of the Year competition included more than 10,000km of driving, including real-world testing with potholes, jagged pavement, steep grades, misaligned railroad crossings and avoidance manoeuvres.
Alfa Romeo Giulia models feature an all-new, all-aluminium, 2.0-litre, direct-injection turbo engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers a class-leading, standard 206kw and 400nm of torque, allowing it to launch from 0-96kph in 5.1 seconds, and achieve a top speed of 240kph. (In South African trim the Giulia features the same 2.0-litre engine with outputs of 147kw and 330nm, and features a 0 - 100kph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 235kph).
As the lineup's "halo" model, the Giulia Quadrifoglio highlights Alfa Romeo's performance and motorsport knowhow with its best-in-class 375kw, 0-96kph in 3.8 seconds and a record-setting 7:32 lap time around the legendary Nürburgring - fastest ever by a four-door production sedan.
All Giulia models offer:
- Near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution thanks to Giulia's all-new rear-wheel-drive Giorgio architecture and class-exclusive standard carbon-fibre driveshaft.
- Class-leading power.
- Unique Italian style and craftsmanship to the premium mid-size sedan segment.
- A 55-year heritage of Giulia's lightweight, performance sedan tradition and more than 100 years of brand history, carving its legend on road courses around the globe.
- Standard Three year / 100,000km warranty and a six year / 100,000km maintenance plans.
Alfa Romeo Giulia took third place in the WesBank South African Car of the Year 2018.
FAQ
Q: What does the Alfa Romeo Giulia cost in South Africa?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia starts from around R599,900 for the base 2.0-litre turbo model in South Africa, with prices climbing to over R1.2 million for the range-topping Quadrifoglio variant depending on specification and dealer pricing.
Q: Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia reliable?
The Giulia has improved significantly in reliability compared to older Alfa models, but it still trails behind German rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class in long-term dependability surveys, though most issues are covered under the comprehensive warranty plan.
Q: How fast is the Alfa Romeo Giulia?
The standard Giulia 2.0-litre turbo produces 206kW and 400Nm, sprinting from 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 240kph, while the mental Quadrifoglio variant hits 100kph in just 3.9 seconds thanks to its 375kW Ferrari-derived V6 engine.
Q: Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia worth buying over a BMW 3 Series?
The Giulia offers more character and driving excitement than a 3 Series, with gorgeous Italian styling and a more engaging chassis, but the BMW wins on build quality, resale value and dealer network coverage across South Africa.
Q: What are the main problems with the Alfa Romeo Giulia?
Common Giulia issues include occasional electronic glitches with the infotainment system, some early models experienced paint quality concerns, and the complex suspension can be expensive to maintain out of warranty, though most problems are resolved under the 5-year/100,000km Alfa Care plan.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is absolutely worth buying if you prioritise driving pleasure over badge snobbery. Starting at R599,900, it's the most characterful executive sedan you can buy in South Africa, offering Ferrari-level drama in your daily commute with that gorgeous Italian design and chassis dynamics that make German rivals feel like washing machines. Sure, it might not have the rock-solid reliability reputation of a 3 Series or the extensive dealer network of Mercedes, but the comprehensive 5-year warranty covers your back, and honestly, life's too short for boring cars. The Giulia proves that the best executive sedan under R700,000 in SA doesn't have to come from Bavaria, it can come with proper Italian passion that'll make you take the long way home every single day.
