Alfa Romeo Giulia Super 2.2d (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

[@joanpey8809]

While you are right about some glitches the car has, and I can tell you because I own this very car but with manual gearbox, some other things you say are not really true or overcooked. I don't get why people keep on doing this. As I don't get why some other's tell you that this is the definitive car and will beat each and every other car on the road on everything. 8 litres x 100km is not what you get combined. Your guess is not right. Of course, what Alfa tells you is not true anyway, but I do 6.9 litres x 100km, wich is way lower and more realistic. No, I'm not a slow driver. I usually drive on N mode but I use the D from the DNA often. Yes, the A mode is useless unless you want a 100hp car but buy a 180hp one because it's cool. It doesnt really matter, put the car in automatic and enjoy it like that..... It says a lot on your personal driving tastes. To go from point A to point B nobody needs a Giulia, nor any other car that feels "sporty" for that matter. The engine is loud from the outside, no doubt, but inside it's ok and I can't feel those terrible vibrations you talk about. Even with the start/stop thing on. About the start and stop and parking sensors buttons: What's the point of your gesture?. You may like it or not, but they are different systems and work, well, different. For my taste I wish the start and stop thing would maintain the last choice as the parking thing does, but it makes some sense it doesnt, because using the parking sensors is a personal choice while poluting less should be a concern so it reactivates each time. The parking sensors are too sensitive..... Well, there's a way to adjust sensitivity from the setup menu. Try it. To charge the phone you have to run the cable.... Well, I have the smoker's package, and works. Also, there's a usb connection just under the screen. Remember that if you have to carry something delicate behind the driver's seat..... This is not a van for carrying egs to the marketplace, is it? If you want a German car, buy it. They are plenty of reasons to buy them (I had a 325tds long time ago and it was a great car). But if you are tired of the same over and over again, the Giulia is a good choice depending on your driving tastes. The car itself will probably be devaluated way faster than a German counterpart. It will probably wear out faster if we hear what almost every armchair expert says about Alfas (despite my previous car being an Alfa 156jtd and lasting longer and with fewer problems than the 325. In fact, my daughter still drives it and I bought it in the 20th century). The point is that it brings fresh air to the market, and it does not dissapoint if you know what you are buying.

[@Commentator541]

Could not have said it better myself.

[@feafajic6392]

I really do hope their value will decline rapidly because I want to own one :) Everything you said is on point. Alfa is not a grocery store car, for that just buy a BMW/Audi van.

[@merlin51h84]

Well said and from an actual owner! I have a 2010 159 Tbi Ti and have had no issues. Enjoy your Alfas. I hope to get a diesel or petrol Giulia in the future.

[@wolfiekrok765]

@@merlin51h84 I have the 2.4 JTDM and just love driving it. The 159 is a real looker and once you push it, it goes!

[@netuserist]

"It doesnt really matter, put the car in automatic and enjoy it like that..... It says a lot on your personal driving tastes. To go from point A to point B nobody needs a Giulia, nor any other car that feels "sporty" for that matter." Yeah, that was... unexpected... and I doubt that was what he really means. How can I know that? Because in PL review he's complaining, that gearbox reaction to manual shifting is "anemic", so it's not a big loss to just forget about paddle shifters and let the gearbox do their job. Honestly, still hard to belive, but at least sounds totally different.

[@klaseronen7535]

It's incredible how several years later this looks refreshingly beautiful compared to majority of the other cars. It's like a sculpture, especially in the front. 🇮🇹💖

[@ordevski]

As a dentist... I love this car :)

[@nickcalnephone]

That diesel start up sound will break your heart every single day.

[@wolfiekrok765]

Until you step on the pedal then it sounds much better :)

[@Dluger123]

It was blatantly made louder for the video

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

The fuel consumption won't though, 8/100 is not true, they easily get 6/100

[@nickcalnephone]

@@alexanderstefanov6474 would you ever forgive yourself though...?

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

@@nickcalnephone yes I would, it's a good engine, lots of torque and very linear power delivery, it's a bespoke unit for the Guilia and it's all aluminium and very light. In real life it doesn't sound as bad as in this video, inside it's pretty refined. Plus you can buy the least powerful one at 136ps and then chip it even with a factory map because the engine is identical and can be made 180ps with a factory map, and if your car tax is based on power like in many countries you'll pay for 136ps and drive 180 or 220 with a stage one tune

[@vlajster]

the only thing annoying here is marek i think

[@aamvoor]

Lol agree

[@marketsqueezer]

Very true, I call him a huge idi*t, but I am not allowed to tell the truth.

[@vlipfb]

😂

[@leonidasfoukas]

I am a dentist and i love the design !

[@g00dfeeling]

Every car has similar minor faults, but no car is so special as Alfa Romeo. Giulia is just incredible. If it is possible I would order it without stop&start as it annoys me in traffic, needs stronger battery and works only if engine is warm or outside temperature high enough.

[@h2oaddict]

g00dfeeling don't use stop start

[@jaguarpaw41]

I cant believe that this guy is so honest and straight forward in his videos. I watch almost all of his videos, and he say what is wrong about the car, those small things that make difference in PRACTICALITY of driving every day. Not all would say that you cant see traffic lights because windshield is too narrow, also those things about Rome Giulia AC, motor sound, turning off start/stop and so on. I think there is lack of honesty in all segments of society thats why this is so REFRESHING. I hope this guy would get more subs because of good honest work. I wish him all the best in the future

[@mattesrocket]

I couldn't express it better. ...it's really important to know also these little points he talks about...

[@alliancemad]

This is why I love his reviews, totally unbiased and says it as it is.

[@captainculpeper1250]

The guy is a bias fool....I own this car and everything he said negative was not true....the car is excellent in every way except the auto/off start feature which is madding at first but at least has a button to disengage. My family is in the auto industry and it's the best sedan i've ever driven.

[@giuseppelapomarda598]

The only downside about this car is the infotainment clearly worse than the others but for the rest what a car the best in its class overall.

[@bojansalmic9811]

I have MB C class 220 diesel, MBC is perfect in every point. But love to see Gulia on the road...

[@villeturkkinen]

Good honest review mate. I always enjoy them whether the verdict´s good or bad.

[@Chained2Alice]

Good English, man. An honest review, which is priceless. I still have a 159 and I see what you mean about the minor annoyances of the Giulia, but I would definitely consider it at some point! My 159 is diesel too and I would like a petrol this time, that is for sure.

[@nikosstories]

He is 101% BMW fun guy! The most negativs thinks he said about the giulia is not true! This is the worst review i have seen 🤣

[@per-hakansvahn8044]

I totally agree with Joan. I’ve been driving my super 180 jtdm for three years with no issues at all. I’ve been driving the so called premium German brands (no Porsche though) and this machine is by far the best car along with my SAAB 9 3 s in the garage. ( one v6 aero convertible and an aero sedan. These are real quality cars.) The Germans are so overrated, posh interiors but underneath they are far from premium these days. best car I have owned along with my SAAB 9 3:s in the garage. Alfa and SAAB are

[@alexanderzhelyazkov6840]

Hi I am thinking about buying a super 180 diesel Giulia is it really reliable?

[@roki977]

Nice juicy details..Those things counts these days and not many are talking about them in reviews like start and stop, climate etc..

[@sonnenscheinsommer4754]

I agree these things count... I for example hate so much when I set any funktion e.g. "off" and when I restart the car that thing is "on" again, then I bite into the steering wheel!

[@roki977]

Its like i am in plane and do preflight procedure but mostly switching things off..

[@sonnenscheinsommer4754]

preflight :-)) :-)) do your girlfriend / wife always have to say "checked" after each switch?

[@roki977]

I switch her off first..

[@sonnenscheinsommer4754]

:-)) :-)) :-))

[@richyhu]

Hi Marek, love your reviews. I just had the 2.2 diesel 210PS Veloce AWD as a holiday rental for 10 days in Italy. I would agree with pretty much most of the points in this review. Mine didn't have the reversing camera and the smaller screen sat nav which wasn't too bad and in Italy at least did have real time traffic info. The air con was fine in mine although it did take a while to cool the whole car, but overall driving long distances in 40 degree heat I didn't have any issues. The main complaints for me were the trunk - a little small and the weird logic on the parking sensor switch - when the light is on the sensors are off - and no indication on the console of the status. The steering is fantastic and the car is extremely stable at high speeds on the autostrada - I agree that you you need to keep an eye on your speed as the acceleration from 100 kph upwards was effortless. Overall I really enjoyed and was very disappointed to have to hand it back after 10 days of fun.

[@netuserist]

Could you give me a honest opinion, isn't a steering too sensitive? You said Giulia is extremly stable at high speed, but isn't it also nervous and anoying because of that specyfic steering ratio? Looking for any info. For sure it's a great car to just jump in and have fun, take for a ride, but in long term, as a daily car, when you need to drive straight for few hours on a highway (at high speed, with cross wind), sharp steering becomes really annoying. That's what im afraid the most... all about how does it work in central position. Amazing car anyway, im falling in love! Btw which rental company that was?

[@olevet75]

@@netuserist good point, but I think I would choose sharp steering over dull any day of week, I have test driven 3 new cars last week: this alfa, new mazda 3 hatchback, and bmw 118. Giulia wins in driving/ steering, accelerating, aesthetics, fun factor hands down over those 2 counterparts. But if you prefer beefed up tech you might go back to those 2 ;)

[@colinmclean1833]

Sounds like a Massey-Ferguson at start up.

[@th-l8936]

Another great video Marek - keep them coming!!!

[@jspope2008]

I have watched a number of reviews on this car. Everyone suggested that the suspension is comfortable. You suggested it’s a system where you feel everything. It sure doesn’t make life easy if you get my point!

[@MarekDrives]

Could you tell me names of the channels, where you saw these reviews? I try not to watch before I write my own script to avoid saying what everyone else says. Were these first drives somewhere in the picturesque regions of Italy perhaps?

[@jspope2008]

Maybe you are right after all. Whatcar report says comfortable suspension yet Carbuyer suggests not so much. I give up! How is it possible that manufacturers can’t get it right. Cars in general are not driven on a race track so why this stiff set up on so many cars. Keep up the good work.

[@fundiver198]

I have seen maybe 20 other reviews of the Giulia, and not a single one has complained about the aircon. So maybe this was just an individual fault with the test car? All the other nickles are frankly nothing and certainly would not put me off from owning the most pretty and soul filled vehicle in the segment. The only criticism, I really agree with, is that of the diesel engine. FCA´s diesels are not among the most quiet in the business, and the 2,0 liter petrol is not that thirsty. If you can afford a car in this segment, surely you can also afford to put petrol in the tank. The European love affair with diesel has gone to far, and what better place to start the reversal than getting a petrol powered Alfa Romeo.

[@MarekDrives]

Same thing in Q. My colleague drove a petrol version, and had the same problem. Basically stop & start cuts AC too much, so on a hot day it gets hot inside instantly, and then AC has to work overtime.

[@fundiver198]

Guess you just have to turn the stop & start off then. Its mostly installed to achieve better results in the soon to be replaced EU fuel economy test, and the real world fuel savings are much less for most people.

[@RobS32]

Great vid. Cheers amigo!

[@MarekDrives]

Thanks!

[@michaelyounes29]

Great review!

[@MarekDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Xzibit9]

5:20 normal? My Fiat Tipo remembers OFF S/S, so I dont understand why the Itullians (allo allo refference) didnt carry that over to Alfas.

[@warburgaby]

Bravissimo, recensione molto onesta :) Sono però molto ottimista per Alfa Romeo, considerando che Giulia è una nuova auto progettata dal foglio bianco... e che già nelle prossime versioni sarà perfetta oltre che nel piacere di guida anche nei "difetti minori" che hai citato. Buon lavoro Marek

[@m4n4you]

E' dura ammettere che questa macchina è migliore delle tedesche ma è così... Parliamo un po' dell'equilibrio del telaio, del cambio in carbonio, della tenuta di strada perfetta, del sistema frenante molto migliore della concorrenza e dei risultati euro NCAP a livello altissimo e delle sospensioni sofisticatissime. Certo non mancano i piccoli difetti ma chi pensa che BMW, Audi e Mercedes attuali siano la perfezione dovrebbero farsi un giretto sulla Giulia e forse usare meno malafede nel fare le recensioni e i commenti dettati solo dalla gelosia.

[@geshaa97]

The shifter in Bmw are made by Magneti marelli which is owned by Fiat from many years. That is why they look almost the same.

[@Schnorbitz]

Can’t believe no more people have stumbled across this guys videos, I admire his straight talking no nonsense style.

[@filipgudek1078]

Im owning giulia. And a lot of stuff you said are bullshit. Only thing in which i can agree is trunk closing. Start stop is the same shit on bmw. Every time you start the car you have to turn it of. With seat going backwards is good solution because of b pilar. For 12v is the same like bmw is in arm rest and bla bla. Its a good cars and everybody is looking it on the road

[@takuan650]

The car looks very nice indeed but as soon as the engine noise hits my ears the visual magic disappears, like a beautiful lady talks with a voice of a chainsaw in 'choke mode'.

[@captainculpeper1250]

Who reviews a diesel and comments on the engine noise? loser!

[@solcia1968]

They should have given the diesel the 3.0litre diesel from the FCA group.. much better engine than the 2.2 and still fuel efficient, catering for those who want a sportier diesel.

[@Dluger123]

This is the first negative review I have seen about their car, the guy seam like he wanted to be negative from the start, anything good was quickly glossed over. His negativity about the boot was a joke, who would put a case in like that, turn it 90 degrees and it comes out no bother. The egging noise was obviously turned up on the video when he drove off and he said very little about the interior design, high for me is a lot better than others in its class.

[@bogospel]

You should review the 200hp and the 280hp petrol ones. Those are the best. Why buy a diesel alfa? The engine sounds like a tractor.

[@MarekDrives]

The 200 hp one was withdrawn from press fleet. Apparently some mysterious malfunction following a software update. I don't have another year to wait for V.

[@roki977]

Italian diesels and TDIs are the worst tractors on the roads. And they have very similar agricultural sound. My friend recently bought Volvo V40 with French 1.6 HDI and i was shocked how silent that thing is in that Volvo. Mazda also has quite silent and nice sounding diesels, at lest from what i heard with 1.5 and 2.2..

[@feafajic6392]

Mazda is using French diesels too :)

[@captainculpeper1250]

percisely!!!

[@ariohd5267]

French Diesel Engines

[@dieterfontaine78]

@Marek Drives will you review the Stelvio?

[@MarekDrives]

I'm supposed to pick it up in 10 days. Unless FCA thinks its unwise to let me test drive it :)

[@dieterfontaine78]

Marek Drives thanks for the fast response. Can't wait to hear you're opinion about it.

[@lucianorosarelli-xr5lr]

i have a giulia 190cv 2.2 turbodiesel my 2019 and first i take that 'cose it has less" tecnology" than germany car i drive a car not tecnology ,scren etc etc

[@hsvcommodore4111]

Could u review the Lexus GS facelift, please?

[@MarekDrives]

I'll see what I can do, but don't expect anything before late autumn.

[@bojansalmic9811]

beautifull car is that Gulia, but i would be afraid to buy it....

[@dinopappous6639]

Marek...you've totally missed the point of this car....try a Camry....you'll enjoy that....NEXT

[@Jode111]

over critical.

[@rineshtimoga1343]

5:31 Haha my reaction exactly xD still like the Giulia though

[@kidda74]

Can't take a guy seriously when he complains about boot space but doesn't rotate the case the get it out?! 🤦‍♂

[@MarekDrivesENG]

It's like shoes. Sure, you can wear uncomfortable shoes, get blisters, and eventually you'll get used to them. But why not get good shoes in the first place?

[@TheRorymcloughlin]

Great review, you are spot on, looks great drives great but Alpha need to recognise that selling a great car means more!! I would love to own one but the compromises are too much

[@joako2706]

Compromises are too much ? Sorry which car do you come from ? Oh and BTW it's ALFA not ALPHA .

[@TheRorymcloughlin]

So let me spell it Alfa to keep you happy, fact still remains it is not good enough. Respond with something more constructive (if you can) and if you want to correct me about my English, read your own response, fuc*ing tool

[@TheRorymcloughlin]

Fammi sapere se non capisci

[@joako2706]

Io capisco perfettamente . Ho venduto una Audi A3 2017 perche era la vettura più noiosa al mondo e per tutti i problemi con la sacra DSG .

[@dpjyule]

I have this car and it is great. Very comfortable and I do a lot of miles. 23,000 in my first 10 months. The residuals are better than its German counterparts. It looks better in my opinion than the competitors. It drives better in my opinion - which is why I bought it. Alfa spent a fortune designing this car from the ground up and has some technology onboard that no other cars in the class have such as brake by wire. It is all subjective but to me this car offered the best package. Every car has its compromises as it is a machine and no manufacturer can keep everybody happy. Blandness is the way that many manufacturers attempt to keep the greatest number of people happy - but blandness is a very large compromise.

[@davetravels9273]

On point! As for the diesel version, I would prefer a C-class or A4 for this price. Or perhaps an Arteon...

[@p1rat3cat]

ouch!

[@DinoPasic]

I have tested few giulia's and i must say im dissatisfied with manual gearbox, it makes some noise if you hold it in your hand, other thing from that diesel that has big turbo hole, it needs time to run, fine tuning is bad. Actually i think it could be better with good automatic gearbox because in that case is used torque and with low rpm you have enough power. VW made that with dsg, but they made also shit because sometimes you drive 60kmh in 6th gear, thats too much. Otherwise car looks very good, it drives good, steering is great. Maybe i can mention, german, france and italian cars are trying to produce space shuttle cars these days, they put so much electronics which is often useless or complicated to use, (maybe they want confuse dummy customers). Even in Mercedes S klasse, if you want to choose address in your navi system while you are driving you cant, too complicated. You need user manual if you want to operate with that stupid electronics. It is like computer which is offering so many options, but main function is bad or better to say forgotten. I can say that im surprised with Kia and Hyundai because i have seen that they dont want to confuse customers with useless buttons, touchscreen and and and, they make it simple as possible and it works good. You get a very good quality of engine, simple and precise gearbox and simple entertainment system, that should be the goal. Koreans and Japanese are showing to Europeans how should they work...

[@ghiblicup]

This guy is so annoying. He can be seen to be malicious, and the way he is dressed and looks, it is better to test the Golf IV, Skoda and Audi, definitely not the beautiful Giulia.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Alfisti fashion police? :)

[@QuattroRMT]

Alfa 159 looks soooo much better than Giulia...

[@kimmern999]

Nope

[@Commentator541]

Brera is the most beautifullcar they have made, and it shares it's fron end with 159! Gorgeous! Stelvio looks good!

[@titovasss]

it's pretty rubbish or maybe pretty but rubbish

[@julianrozentur3046]

Not rubbish, go drive one and you will change your mind. it has annoyances as it is first release year. The petrol 2.0 version is the one to drive

[@mattesrocket]

just prubbish!

[@titovasss]

sure it can drive and looks nice, but how someone can pass car for production with so many little things stating "we just don't care about user experience", Marek has listed them very clearly and for me this would be total deal breaker, hope it will improve, as you said, because it is just not enough to have egotistic badge, pretty looks and poorly copy some details from 3series.

[@utetv7512]

Poor engineering design. FCA have a poor track record of reliability and in the past looks could distract you from the "little things" today even the Koreans build high quality good looking cars. Better off waiting for some lease buyer to move it on after 18 months of frustration when the sales gloss wears off.

[@dpjyule]

It is actually a good car. I have a Giulia and it is very good. What is not mentioned at all in the video is how the engine technology is years ahead of the German competition. I am not saying that it is a car without fault, there are some little things that leave you asking why on earth would you do it like that?! But, when you drive one and feel just how much better it is than an Audi, BMW or Merc they become insignificant. You learn not to notice little things, but you never learn to not notice the way a car drives as this is the primary function. So you have two options: You can choose a car produced in Germany, and yes, many of those little irritants are not there as it is engineered to within an inch of its life in so many ways. Or, you can choose an Alfa and the drivability is at a completely different level plus the car has so much more character. End of the day we all have our own list of priorities and choose accordingly. I made my choice and do not regret for a minute.