It seems a bit odd to be driving the Giulia Ti almost half a year on from spending a week with the high-performance Quadrifoglio. This felt like I had a nice slice of cake and was now facing a bowl of vegetables. Trying to keep an open mind on Ti was going to be difficult, considering the mixed opinions I had with the first Giulia. But I knew that I had to try.
Exterior Design
- I actually prefer the toned-down nature of Ti Sport compared to Quadrifoglio as it lacks the aggressive bumper treatment and cloverleaf emblems on the fenders. Some items such as the uniquely styled wheels do carry over and add a small sporting touch.
- The only item I would change is the color. Grey just makes the design somewhat boring. The blue I had on the Quadrifoglio works much better as it allows the design to stand out.
Interior and Technology
- The interior is still very much a mixed affair. Most of the materials are what you would expect to find in a luxury car of this caliber with soft-touch plastics, leather, and metal trim. But Alfa clearly cut some corners such as the cheap plastics used on the center console. The front sport seats provide excellent bolstering and comfort for any adventure you decide to take. Rear space is almost non-existent for most adults.
- Alfa Romeo did address one of my complaints that I had with the 2017 Giulia. 2018 models now have the option of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is a shame that it is an option, but it does make using the infotainment system somewhat less frustrating.
Some of the issues I had with the system in both the Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Ti are present in this Giulia. Going through a number of menus to accomplish simple tasks, slow performance, and a small number of crashes during my weeklong test. I really hope Alfa Romeo is working on some updates to get this system in order.
Powertrain and Fuel Economy
- Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder delivering 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic and optional Q4 all-wheel drive.
- I really liked this engine in the Stelvio as it moved the compact crossover without breaking a sweat. In the Giulia, this engine makes this sedan fly away from stops. It is said the turbo-four can hit 60 mph in just over five seconds, which is fast for the class. One disappointment is the engine sounding like a diesel at idle, not something you want to have in an Italian sport sedan.
- EPA says the Giulia Ti with AWD will return 23 City/31 Highway/26 Combined. My average for the week landed around 23.6 in mostly city driving.
Handling and Ride Quality
- One trait that both the Ti Sport and Quadrifoglio share is the handling. The chassis underneath allows the Giulia to dart around in the corners and keep body motions well in check. Steering is another bright spot where the vehicle would instantly respond to any input, along with provide good feedback.
Ride quality is slightly better than the Quadrifoglio as only a small number of bumps come inside. Put the Giulia into Dynamic (sport mode) and the ride does become somewhat unbearable.- Unfortunately, my Giulia Ti tester had an issue with the brakes. Whenever the brakes were applied, there was a noticeable screeching noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. At first, I thought something had gotten lodged in the brakes. But the noise would go away after I had been driving for a bit. Park the car for a while and drive it once again, the noise would return. This likely hints at something being warped — a bit disappointing for a vehicle that only had a few thousand miles on the odometer.
The Verdict
The Giulia is one of those vehicles I really want to like a lot more than I currently do. Alfa Romeo still has a number of issues they need to address sooner than later. I only would recommend this model for those who understand what they're getting into.
Disclaimer: Alfa Romeo provided the Giulia, insurance, and one tank of gas.
Specifications and Pricing
Year | 2018
Make | Alfa Romeo
Model | Giulia
Trim | Ti Sport Q4
Engine | 2.0L Turbocharged MultiAir SOHC Inline-Four
Driveline | Eight-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive
Horsepower | 280 @ 5,200 RPM
Torque | 306 lb-ft @ 2,000 – 4,800 RPM
Fuel Economy | 23 City / 31 Highway / 26 Combined MPG
Curb Weight | N/A
Built In | Cassino, Italy
Base Price | $41,995
As Tested | $51,885 (includes $1,295 destination)
Options as Tested
Ti Sport AWD Package 22S | $2,500
Driver Assist Dynamic Plus Package | $1,500
Ti Leather Package | $995
8.8-inch AM/FM Bluetooth Radio with 3D Nav | $950
Harman/Kardon Premium Audio System | $900
Driver Assistance Static Package | $650
Vesuvio Gray Metallic | $600
19-inch x 8-inch Bright 5-Hole Aluminum Wheels | $500
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