Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2026 Review

When it first went on sale Down Under in 2017, the four-door, five-seat super sedan started about $10K less than it did by the 2023 updated price of $153,700 (all prices are before on-road costs).

Now, the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio starts from $156,990. Although don’t let the list price baulk you. We hazard a guess that any dealership around the country catching a whiff of anyone wanting to buy the ageing Giulia would be ready to make a deal – pronto. Haggle hard.

If the hot Italian doesn’t take your fancy, the perennial German trio of the recently released Audi RS5, BMW M3 (Competition) and Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance are all in play.

Not a lot has changed with the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. In fact, since its last update which brought in a new grille design, full ‘3+3’ Matrix LED headlights, tweaked lower intakes, revised taillights and some black accents, it’s the same styling as the car that first arrived in Australia.

The other additions brought in were a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) to replace the electronically controlled unit as well as a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.

Luckily, the base formula is sound. It has all the right ingredients for a super sedan, with a striking design, 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, bulging arches, quad exhaust pipes and a lip spoiler on the boot. And in the $4000 optional Montreal Green premium paint of our test car, the Giulia looks ready for the catwalks of Milan and the Balocco Proving Ground.

Inside, the Alfa’s age is more apparent. However, it gains leather upholstery, six-way power adjustable front seats (and bolsters) with heating, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry with push-button start.

Options can get pricey. Boxes you can tick include carbon-ceramic brakes ($15,950), Sparco carbon-fibre seats ($8350), exposed carbon-fibre roof ($6500) as well as special metallic hues ($2600 to $4000).

Alfa Romeo’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies and the first five years of roadside assistance is complimentary. Servicing is every 12 months or 15,000km, while the first five years (or 75,000km) will set you back $5345.

If you’re wondering why that’s quite expensive, the fourth service costs $2195 due to the labour involved in replacing the serpentine belt, as well as the spark plugs.

A benefit of ageing gracefully is that the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio isn’t tarnished by endless audible warnings.

Although, that doesn’t mean it’s short on active systems. The package is highlighted by autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vulnerable road user detection, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

Aiding parking are front and rear parking sensors as well as a reversing camera, but there isn’t a 360-degree monitor. And as stated above, the Giulia does have driver monitoring and road sign recognition, but neither are overly intrusive.

The Quadrifoglio has six airbags and doesn’t run with an ANCAP safety rating.

If any part of the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is going to induce pinched fingers in Mamma Mia-style frustration, it’s the dated infotainment.

The touchscreen itself is small by modern standards at 8.8 inches; it lacks the rapid processing power of other units and it isn’t very responsive to inputs. You can go old school by using the rotary dial and there are some physical controls, but overall, it lags behind.

It isn’t all at a loss, though, as the new 12.3-inch instrument cluster proves a strong point. It also adds a classic Cannocchiale design theme – which is pretty cool. A head-up display would be a nice feature to add to the list of standard kit, too.

As would wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (they’re both wired), but the Giulia does have a wireless charger, native satnav, DAB+ digital radio and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Limited connected services are available through the My Alfa Connect app.

All these years later, no official line has been given. However, while the heart of the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio might not explicitly be a Ferrari engine, it’s heavily inspired.

Or it’s essentially around two thirds of a Ferrari F154 twin-turbo V8…

The result of that is a 2.9-litre twin turbo V6 with a stonking 375kW at 6500rpm and 600Nm from 2500 to 5000rpm. It drives the rear wheels alone via a ZF eight-speed torque-converter automatic. It’s no slouch, either, with a quoted zero to 100km/h time of 3.9 seconds.

It feels every bit as fast as that on road, too. Although, for ‘traction management’, torque limiting is used through first, second and third gears to help the Giulia gain purchase. Still, the 90-degree, 2891cc boosted bent six is a powerhouse, endowing the Alfa with an impressive turn of speed.

The acceleration is addictive, especially with the steering column-mounted ‘flappy paddles’ to play with. When left to its own devices and out of any racy modes, it is obedient, which is appreciated. However, it can deny down shifts on the odd occasion when driving with intent.

Yet, it doesn’t sound as raucous as you’d expect.

The overrun is playful and the mid-range baritones rise to an enticing crescendo, but there isn’t enough volume – either from the engine bay or out the quad tailpipes. And to gain the most aggro acoustics you need to switch the DNA drive selector into Race mode – which completely switches off the stability control… as the name suggests, that’s a track-only experience, then.

Like any performance car, this probably isn’t going to be of too much concern, even with high fuel prices.

The 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s claimed combined average consumption is 8.2L/100km, but drive it like the Italians intended, and you’ll be returning something like the 15L/100km marker we did. And while it does employ cylinder deactivation, Alfa’s prediction of 5.7L/100km for highway use still seems optimistic.

It uses a 58-litre tank and asks for at least 95 RON premium unleaded.

The way the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio looks and how it drives is infectious. It’s beguiling in its own unique way, one in which its German counterparts struggle to replicate.

Yet, despite its 50:50 weight distribution, sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres (245/35 R19 front, 285/30 R19 rear) and torque vectoring diff to aid dynamics, it’s the Quadrifoglio’s ride quality that sets it apart. Using the active AlfaLink suspension that incorporates adaptive dampers, it irons out pretty much any surface no matter the speed.

This means you don’t always need to soften off the damping and trade body control for bump absorption. It makes for a confidence-inspiring experience on your favourite back road or mountain pass as the Alfa breathes with the road no matter the tempo.

With all its Ferrari-derived firepower and only the rear wheels to harness it, the Giulia should be a right handful to hustle. But it isn’t. It telegraphs its reactions to your inputs with a progressive cadence and, no doubt helped by the addition of the mechanical LSD, is an experience driven by throttle percentages and the rear axle.

It doesn’t have an excessively wide rear tyre, either. Yet traction is surprisingly unwavering and it deals with putting all the 375kW down on a bumpy corner exit with aplomb. Of course, you can manipulate some yaw, while the track-centric Pirellis prefer a heat cycle as well as dry tarmac.

As a road car, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is an engaging experience, one that isn’t numb like so many modern performance offerings have become. Being compliant enough to tackle the daily commute is an unexpected win.

There are a few quirks, though. The quick steering rack can have you arrowing at a corner apex too early without familiarisation and the brake-by-wire system requires a few dabs of the anchors to suss them out. Yet, both are cohesive and effective once a relationship is built.

And in a very colourful Italian way, there’s no halfway house for the stability control. When driving spiritedly, it’s either Dynamic or Race – something like BMW’s MDM mode would be nice. Thankfully, the electronic nannies and the LSD allow for some fun with the former, and greater progression with the latter.

The quick steering might grab the headlines, yet it’s the fact the back end can keep up that’s the storyline. And in a world filling with light-switch-fast EVs that flatter only in straight lines, the Giulia remains a beacon for the past. It has soul to burn.

For all the good graces the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio racks up behind the wheel, the cabin does its level best to undo it all. It’s all a bit antiquated and uncouth.

Although, some will find the assortment of physical buttons refreshing, with the climate controls being logically placed and there’s even a proper volume knob. The multi-function steering wheel eschews haptic feedback panels.

Aesthetically, the design is almost of another era, while the 2023 update ushered in some carbon-fibre trim inserts. Storage areas aren’t abundant, but there are cup holders, provisions for bottles in the door cards, a centre console bin as well as a glovebox.

If you’re tall, the forward location of the B-pillar gets old quickly. Not only does it form an obstruction when getting in or out, it becomes a blind spot while driving, too. That aside, the seats themselves are both supporting and comfortable, and the driving position is excellent, too.

However, the cabin makes some odd creaks, rattles and vibrations that are disconcerting. Especially for a car of this value. The squealy sound when you release the brakes of a morning is embarrassing, too (as is the way it launches forward after selecting Drive). And then there’s the touchscreen, which can be dim-witted and annoying.

Space in the back seat isn’t the Giulia’s forte, either. The rear doors are quite small, and once inside, legroom is tight for taller passengers. Headroom is slightly better, but at least those in the back gain air vents, map pockets and a centre arm rest with cup holders.

A benefit of the sedan body style is a relatively accommodating 480-litre boot. The 40/20/40-split rear seats fold, too, while there’s no spare underneath the flat floor; just a can of goo. The latter is to save weight and because of clearances with the Brembo brake discs.

Deep breath – yes.

Troll the world wide web and myriad forums and comments sections detail all the reasons why you shouldn’t buy the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. The AI summary details ownership as both expensive and full of headaches.

Cyberspace will also tell you to buy a G80 BMW M3 or the previous-generation, V8-powered Mercedes-AMG C63 S instead. While either are hard to argue against, you shouldn’t trust everything you read on the internet.

When it comes to purchases fuelled by passion, the natural human instinct to find reason and logic fall by the wayside. Those who want the Alfa Romeo likely won’t go in search of supporting arguments or justification because they won’t need to.

Yes, the Giulia Quadrifoglio has its flaws. And it’s been around too long in a world where the market demands contemporary products. However, the flamboyant Alfa Romeo makes you feel good and it’s a refreshing reminder that some performance cars still deliver emotion instead of merely going fast.

You only live once, right?

2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio at a glance:
Price:?$156,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available:?Now
Powertrain:?2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol
Output:?375kW/600Nm
Transmission:?Eight-speed automatic
Fuel:?8.2L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2:?189g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating:?Unrated

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