Alfa Romeo Junior - Is this the car that can save Alfa Romeo?

[@Challenger540i]

I've owned (own) several Alfa's. We're in new times and territory........MY opinion is that this is a fantastic, forward thinking electric entry into the electric market. It's beautiful.... that's what it's about

[@nihatdizdar4745]

Walter Da Silva designed the integrated rear handles first on the 156 (1997), the 147 was released in 2000.

[@Boorock70]

Probably the Best review of Alfa-Romeo Junior on KZbin ! * Junior on the other hand is stupidly EXPENSiVE !!! No one will pay that "premium price" for the good looks only....

[@AutoEV]

Thank you for your kind words about the review. Appreciate the support.

[@richardhargrave6082]

Another good review, Brian We had a 156 SW followed by an147, which we had for 8 years I love the Junior, either grille... I heard that the number plate is in the middle because of EU pedestrian regs... The 156 had the c pillar door handle, I've always thought it was the first? FCA failed to develop and support pretty much every car, except the 500, I'm hoping Stellantis sort them out, after all they turned Vauxhall around... Back to the Junior, I was hoping they would have newer batteries with more range, but they didn't. I think there are areas, such as elements of the interior that have been rushed, but it sounds like the chassis is good. I really like the Junior, but the pricing isn't right, I think its the same across Stellantis The monthly PCP is ok, but the deposit is too high If we needed a car this size, it would be on the list. As an Alfisti, I would forgive its foibles, but are there enough Alfisti to make it a success? I think they need to bring out a facelift, more range, better materials throughout, ASAP. And they need to sort the finance deals

[@neilwheldon1998]

had my Giuletta for 10 years still can’t spell it and it still looks better than new Golf waiting for petrol version great looking car,how can you buy anything else once you have had Alfa

[@stamgramm6123]

In our days cars are too expensive at every single category! If you want to have both a good machine (engine , handling etc) and good material you have to spent a lot! So i think that the brands nowadays that want to be competitive or to create competitive cars they balance these things thats why we can see good machines with medium materials or vice versa. I have ordered a junior hybrid from july and i still waiting the car. I saw it on real a few weeks ago and to be honest the interior is perfectly designed BUT with a lot of plastic surfaces.There are not the best materials in the market but on the other hand its all about personal taste at the end. Its something i new so i bet that the machine will be good, and i am really happy listenting that the car is fun to drive and has good handling etc. The car in general is good i think with its pros and cons , of course it has a lot of commons with its siblings from stellantis group but i bet that the italians have make very good job at make this vechichle different at every possible aspect. lets see!!

[@ianrob4760]

the back end is a bit EV6 which is a compliment !!!

[@wendyhopkins2902]

Paying extra for a frunk , that's a first 😂😂😂😂 typical stellantis group car , will keep my Kia EV niro level 4 , great review as always 👍 👌 👏

[@lesthedog]

I might be wrong but think Audi charge for it on the Q4 etron.

[@johnkeen2345]

It's as if they went over budget on some of the fine detail, then realised the bloke from Stellantis would go ape 💩. That's when they cut costs on the interior plastics etc.

[@jamesroseby3823]

I’m looking at a Junior once it is released in Australia. Thank you for such a thorough review. I’m one who appreciates how a car drives, not how many gimmicks it has for the driver and passengers. With four other Alfas in my garage including my Sud and 4C driving dynamics are the priority. Those who can’t feel anything when they grip the wheel won’t care but those who do I hope will give the Junior a look. You’ve also provided food for thought for the option packages to order. Lightness counts. This is the sort of efficient and fun car I’m looking for. Please Alfa, price it competitively….As a Giulietta owner I hope there is still that incentive that Imperatu spoke of at the launch.

[@AutoEV]

Glad you enjoyed the review.

[@A14b19]

Strange my 147 jtdm is 2003 past its mot getting its first belt change since doing Scotland wales all uk retuning 66 mpg ! Love it for motorways . Must be a lucky one 😊

[@rchatte100]

I'll wait for the petrol version.

[@markbennett6658]

The word you’re looking for is ‘brio’. Something like the Alfasud had it. Not that fast but still exciting to drive. Interesting to see what the Veloce version will be like on a long test on British roads? I do think it’s quite an interesting design and I’m surprised by the lack of rear leg room. Our e2008 is pretty roomy in the back. Definitely a bit dank with the dark headliner and it really needs a ‘pan’ roof even if it added a bit of weight. I think the regen and braking is good in our Peugeot version so don’t really agree there unless Alfa have messed with it? As usual too expensive new and a 250 mile real world range is a minimum requirement at the end of 2024.

[@wimd4964]

Looks good but far too expensive for those specs, dimensions and tech. Tesla, Koreans and Chinese blow this out of the water. And piano black in 2024? Wake up Stellantis

[@ISuperTed]

Have to agree, as I have a Peugeot e208 which is similarly too expensive new and has the dreaded piano black. Fortunately it’s a company car and though it’s nice to drive, I won’t be getting another Stellantis car next time. Not competitive.

[@ChasingBarrels]

Spot on. Kia Ev3 on another level compared to this

[@Boorock70]

Well said... 👍

[@WinkelHoof]

No heat pump or towing hook available. Real range should be 250 km.

[@chrisbwhittle]

As an Alfa driver of 26 years (156, 159 and Giulietta)I don’t think the Junior will save Alfa Romeo . Price & specs

[@marcusnoble132]

me niether, what can save Alfa Romeo is running away from Stellentis which is currently dying anyway. And going full prestige, low volume. It's the only way to compete with the Chinese.

[@carlarrowsmith]

Another car with a dark headliner. Let there be light!

[@robsmith1a]

The Alfasud was a great little car (other than the slight problem with rust). The Junior looks ok, not sure if it tempts ne though

[@Petelmrg]

If Alfa is hoping to save itself with this let’s hope there are some fantastic leasing deals - otherwise I can’t see a queue forming.

[@RedBatteryHead]

Alfa will never overcome their success in the '90s and early '00. And being owned by STLA they will never be the same. I like this Alfa over the 3008 variant. As the Lancia over the Corsa.

[@Themis_TH]

Nice review! Does the build quality of the interior even though it has all those hard plastics is any good? Does it has rattles in the cabin? And how’s the sound isolation? And how it compares with the Ford Puma in driving? Thank you very much!

[@A14b19]

Alfa will always be very popular in Italy and eastern countries still drive 147s !

[@seanbarnes811]

Love, Love, Love it, I'll have the Veloce pls with those wheels ❤

[@thanasisk]

If you are in the category of small SUVs you really don't need this in my opinion - UNLESS you go for the Veloce version, which really stands out.

[@markbate5583]

Never really know, especially since Stellantis, what Alfa is? You talk in your excellent review about Alfa doing this or that. Do Alfa actually exist even as a thing even if a subsidiary? Di they have the ability to make decisions about the car/design etc. Or is it just a brand name used by a styling team etc that one day might be designing a Fiat? Always wondered this about huge motoring groups. Škoda seems to still exist as an actual company but others just seem like glorified badge engineering in the old British Leyland way. Thank you

[@jameschapman4824]

What is happening with that front grill. I tlooks like they forgot to put anything there.

[@djbrianc]

Like caviar, Alfa isn’t for everyone. I care. And mine have worked for more than 8 years.

[@richardtraut1431]

Hmm I actually like it, i would be like your good self , thinking about the Veloce , My Jeep Compass Hybrid is a decent car , it would be slightly downsizing, that has been great and reliable , i heard about the 1.2 hybrid which again is in the Jeep Avenger , but will it be better suited to the Alfa ? lots of questions , thanks for another great review .

[@marvemarve3555]

Junior ❤❤❤

[@Soulboy63]

Stunning car

[@robstacy]

Alpine A290 is the drivers small EV 👍

[@richardshiggins704]

I would consider the IBRIDA version rather than the EV . More flexibility in terms of range and possibly equally fun to drive and of course cheaper .

[@anton_grahn]

An Alfa branded car deserves faster charging, more performance and perhaps a bigger battery imo! But quite nice otherwise, and good to hear it drives well :)

[@nerdbikes3841]

The problem is that this Alfa has to compete with not only Tesla and the Chinese but also within its own sister brands Peugeot, Fiat and others. Unless Alfa gets its own drivetrain spec styling alone may not be enough.

[@chas9183]

Did I not hear the the EU state that all number plates must now be centrally mounted?

[@EnderGZ86]

1:02:48 Mmm, for me the best user of this platform is the Citroën ëC4. It's practical, efficient, ergonomic and the selection of materials matches the price.

[@tonrotterdam]

And this statement is all one needs to know about the state of Stellantis.

[@jbmaru]

Alfa Romeo, Cuore Sportivo!

[@dinopappous6639]

Let down by the way they drive ? And you state that you tested a Giulia Quad ?

[@AutoEV]

One car doesn’t make the rest of the company’s efforts worthwhile. The GT coupe, the 146, 147, the Mito, the Brera a were all behind class best.

[@friendlybrits5952]

@@AutoEV but you failed to mention how the Giulia platform was a turning point for Alfa with it being the best car they released along with it's reliability class leading handling and overall looks then say Alfa should make things more alfa in your review but then people want a a-b car ? Yet miss the whole point of what Alfa want to achieve with the Junior which is to have a best in class handling car and to make an electric car fun. What you have done is judged the car based on the fact sandra the single mum loves her fiat 500

[@hagenkleemann7309]

"Is this the car that can save Alfa Romeo?" has been the question at the beginning of countless reviews of every single Alfa entering the market throughout the last 50 years, at least. Short answer: It won't. Because it won't sell. No more than 9 out of ten Alfas of the past. Same story over and over again: great reviews in the first wave of tests, in the second wave the banging begins. No matter what, nobody is bying it. 5 to 7 years after it's life cycle 9 out of 10 car journalists will tell us how underappreciated this Alfa had been in its days. Alfa won't die and it won't flourish either. Alfa Romeo is to the car industry what Zion is to the Matrix: It will never win, but the Matrix won't let it die 'cause it needs Alfa Romeo. 🤫

[@issiewizzie]

Now I remember why I never liked the Alfa back in the day. It was either the engines were not reliable or the build quality. You made a good example in terms of the DS3... I guess it's an Italian thing

[@paulybthealfaguy]

i thought the Guilia and Stelvio were supposed to save Alfa Romeo??

[@ratbert1]

Every new Alfa is supposedly 'the one' to save Alfa Romeo.

[@friendlybrits5952]

the Giulia and Stelvio platforms were outstanding cars with the best handling of any car on the road. Reliability was good as long as they were serviced regularly like many performance cars but people kept away from them as they were an Alfa. Those who appreciate cars for the driving appreciate the Giulia / Stelvio

[@max_powers11]

Don't think you will see many of these on UK roads. From the front to the back nothing blends together it's all too different.

[@krocwithak]

Hidden door handles are first on alfa 156

[@AutoEV]

Thank you. I was sure Alfa did it first, but got the car wrong. Thank you.

[@jaapboode2719]

If you are interested in the Alfa test, you can skip the first 6.5 minutes.

[@kevinnicholson7722]

veloce is the sh*t. I will buy one. I think stelliantis are doing 4k discount on their bevs

[@mikec1176]

For me, the rear three-quarters view looks like a stretched Nissan Juke, which isn’t a compliment.

[@janverbanck]

Alfa used to make quite sexy cars who drove excitingly but had loads of small or large quality issues (which some call personality...) The last 10 years or so, quality got better but...the vibe lacked. The Stelvio scored for a short while but didn't last, the Giulia neither and the Tonale is a rare sight on the roads. So, where exactly did the original pedigree get lost? What exactly drove people away?

[@friendlybrits5952]

Mass market BMW and audi crap is what drove people away from proper cars. PCP and HP deals meant that all young drivers go out and buy a BMW or Audi rather than the alternatives. You speak to most young adults these days and they want a BMW regardless of how plastic like the interiors become or how they have lossed that German quality unfortunately they just want the badge. Electric cars will drive this further and further and cars will move more away from what makes proper cars cars

[@NGHTNGLHS88]

My wife wants this car!

[@NGHTNGLHS88]

She said it looks like Vauxhall's posh cousin.

[@jaapboode2719]

The presenter indicates that he can talk about this all day. I am interested in the test of the Alfa and not all side paths and philosophical considerations. 30 minutes for a test is actually enough, more than an hour makes me go to the conclusions and skip the rest.

[@lesibakekana6701]

It started with the 156 Brian.

[@kindface]

8:22 "They weren't exactly what you would call beautiful-looking cars." Are you kidding?

[@AutoEV]

No, I’m not. I don’t think the 33 was a particularly good looking car. Or the SZ. Dramatic, different and eye-catching, but not beautiful.

[@ISuperTed]

Disappointed. It has some nice styling points and the interior is okay, but it’s just another Stellantis variant with that 54kWhr battery and underpinnings. Just couldn’t justify one even as my company car, certainly not at the price a decent spec is. Will almost certainly be going Korean next time.

[@bitmanev4331]

For me there is only one Alfa the GTV (1974-1987)

[@richardjackson139]

Just not enough room in the rear 😮

[@PassportToPimlico]

Alfa Romeo and Renault, copy the Inster's sliding rear bench seat. It's a no brainer.

[@georgiosdedes]

Il logo di Alfa Romeo è strettamente legato alla città di Milano. La croce rossa con sfondo bianco, che campeggia nella metà sinistra del logo dell'Alfa, è rappresentata sulla bandiera di Milano sin dal 13° secolo, e costituisce ancora oggi lo stemma civico della città. Per quanto riguarda il Biscione, citato anche da Dante nel Purgatorio, la sua origine si perde nel tempo e molte leggende sono nate in merito. Quel che è certo è che l'immagine di questo serpente che divora un essere umano viene utilizzata dai Visconti, la famiglia dei signori di Milano, dal 1277, e oggi è uno dei simboli della città.

[@harrycummings6501]

Haha, noted he didn't mention Land/Range Rovers when he mentioned reliable Chelsea tractors.......I see more JLR products at the school gates than anything else lol

[@johngarnham5772]

The AR Junior will only sell in very small numbers in my opinion. It will not save Alfa as it is not a real Alfa. Great shame. Great colour but that's where it ends for me. I've owned a 2.0T petrol Giulia Veloce since '21 and it has not faulted at all. Very reliable and great to drive. I will not be parting in for a Junior that's for sure.

[@simonevans8979]

And in the 7th week, I sold it... Broke down twice in that time: My tolerance for Alfa Romeo reliability was gone.

[@simonevans8979]

I owned an Afa, for about six weeks...

[@simonhuber1738]

Personally I do not really like the design. The back lights look quite boring for an Alfa, they had so beautiful round rear lights in the past. The C- pillar I also do not really like the roof pulled down a bit and the body pulled up accordingly is very standard on crossovers at the moment. In total to me this could and should look much more like an Alfa than it actually does. Quite mainstream, not much Alfa Romeo left… Clearly not for me.

[@MateuszM-qb9kw]

One ugly mf. Unfortunetely next gen of stelvio and giulia will probably look like this. This "new stylistic language" sounds like a threat. More like language of Renault Captur 🤮 As a stelvio user I'm pissed off. My next car will be some "boring" Audi I guess 🤷🏼 BMW is focused on chinese design, mercedes offers big disco lights on the dashboard, Jaguar not producing cars for now and is going full electric, Volvo is fine but I'd rather not support chinese capital.

[@kelvinlewis606]

Just about the right size - but - using it on Dynamic all the time, to have usable performance will seriously dent the available range and as for the the Veloce that will probably be sub 150 miles in the real world!! Alfa will probably struggle to sell them, as quite frankly they are well overpriced, much like far too many cars from Stallantis, the base model should be under £27,000 and the Veloce should come fully loaded with everything and be well under £35,000!! And of course that's if you're anywhere near an Alfa dealer, which will be a major problem when it comes to shifting large numbers of the Junior? At least it looks like someone has bothered to design a proper dashboard rather than, what seems to be the norm now, the "stick on" screens!! They should have put in the sliding rear seat like the original Renault Captur and the later versions of the Nissan Note, to give that little bit more room in the back rather than wasting the space on a large boot, which for the most part will be unused? At least Alfa fitted it with a rear wash / wipe, which does seem to be something that is being left off of far too many cars now?

[@JohnSpan-w6x]

I guess the same people that consider 'stunning' the Tonale and the Stelvio (which are actually sub par designs) are also consider 'stunning' this 'turbulance in mind' design... ok, looks is a subjective matter no doubt about that, and if the ONLY purpose is to 'stand out' yes it is achieved.... but the objective comment is that STILL Alfa Romeo lacks a design identity... this Junior has absolutely no design relevance with Stelvio and Tonale (whereas Tonale was clearly a scaled down Stelvio - and this was not necessarily a good thing)... ok, let's consider it a 'new start'... but ... really.... is this how you would REALLY like ARs to look like from now on???? REALLY??? And getting out of the looks... as I have commented many times in similar cases, AR was famous for being the 'sport brand of the masses', making good looking sport driven cars at reasonable (not cheap but still reasonable / affordable) price and always offering something more than competitors... recent ARs are CERTAINLY not 'reasonably priced' and they do not seem to offer anything 'different' as such... so they focus on looks nad they do so ina strange (rather than revolutionary) way . I do believe Stellantis is simply too eager to cash out the brand value by addressing to AR enthousiasts (alfisti) that would buy and AR badged cat 'no matter what' ... but in that way they are actually destroying the brands' future (not that they really care about it probably...) . PS when I hear the commentator I do feel like he is reading a marketing leaflet from Stellantis...

[@pietervandermerwe7454]

Don't totally agree with you. My Alfa GT is 20 years old now and is a daily driver. New Alfa's out performs a lot of the Germans when come to reliability.

[@carlturner4344]

Dead on arrival. 😢

[@bobzuidema3560]

I don't understand the legacy brands strategy wise; all these packages that drain your wallet in no time; paying extra for things that should have been standard. The interior materials are nothing less than awful and at best below mediocre. Alfa should have kept it to one tier in options and offer several power packages but please 54kwh battery omg that is just not good enough, charging at 100kwh max that is not acceptable; small battery should come with fast charging is mandatory. Learn from China and US, yes this is the period we live in today legacy brands should learn from the countries they laughed about in the not so far past...

[@jwvandegronden]

horrified by the name, smells like mickey blue eyes, or mickey mouse. love the design.

[@wags-waggy]

It looks like the ugly sister of the Lexus LBX.

[@pt020]

Alfa is not for Opel people.

[@Hz-yl7du]

The pretentious Italian brands like Maserati and Alfa are hugely overpriced compared to the competitors. Buyers have lost interest in paying 45% more just for an Italian badge. China will now dominate the EV SUV sector with realistic sale prices and on trend design. Brands like Alfa are becoming out of vogue and the massive depreciation of second hand Maserati and Alfa’s says it all.

[@-steban-]

It looks very mainstream, not distinctive. Overloaded design, too many unnecessary lines and plastic elements.

[@gusmlie]

What, from Stellantis stupidity. Alas I don’t think so.

[@ELEVISION_photography]

lore with looks... and then drive bad????talking about audi???? never really drove an alfa or really no understanding about cars???? only the brera wasn't great.. all other algas drive great!

[@AutoEV]

My GT coupe wasn’t that’s great to drive. And that’s my point. I loved the way it looked, but just found it dull to drive. Would have been a bit more enjoyable with a Busso V6 I’m sure, but mine was a 2.0JTS. Same with 147s. Decent looking, but hardly thrilling to drive unless you had a GTA.

[@ELEVISION_photography]

@AutoEV I must admit. the power of the 2.0 jts was not there... had a beautyful 2.0 jts Alfa Romeo GT in Crystal blue. in comparison to other cars of that age I don't think there where any comparable car also in the price range that steers that good! even the modern VGA products don't drive like it. I think it totally depends on preferences I thought u where a little harsh on the great alfa romeo brand.

[@nathanwolf5547]

It looks like a Nissan and has an air of baby sick and sensible hair. The Mumsy Alpha

[@ijoseluis]

EVs don't have salvation, whatever the brand.

[@tkt557]

Too plasticky. I will choose Smart #3.

[@warburgaby]

No

[@strek200]

Expensive junk

[@fuhrerpolizei86]

I'd stick with my Giulia QV