Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2013 Review

Price Guide: (including statutory and delivery charges): $24,550
Options fitted: (not included in above price): None
Crash rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
Fuel: 95 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.4
CO2 emissions (g/km): 149
Also consider: Ford Focus Trend ($24,950), Volkswagen Golf 90TSI Comfortline ($27,490)

It's always a welcome sight to see an Alfa Romeo showroom with new models on the floor.

And it's particularly welcome after an extended drought during which the only model available for some time was the MiTo three-door hatch.

But although Alfa's 147 successor, the new-generation Giulietta, has been on sale locally since late 2012, it has not, until now, taken a real competitive plunge into the teeming small car segment where Japan, Korea – and more recently Europe – have been pretty much dictating the pace.

So the new Fiat Chrysler management team's introduction in May this year of a base-level variant – simply dubbed Giulietta – comes as Alfa Romeo's first real shot across the bows of the small car segment.

Tagged at $24,550 drive-away, the new model mixes it with a throng of competitors including heavy-hitters Mazda, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai as well as Euro brands Volkswagen, Skoda, Peugeot and Citroen.

Well below the next Giulietta up the Alfa ladder – the Progression MultiAir model which is tagged at $27,450 before on-road costs, or around $30,000 in the real world – this is a big financial step down that doesn't ask for many compromises.

The biggest is the substitution of the efficient 125kW/250Nm MultiAir 1.4-litre engine employed in the Progression model with a lower-tech version producing 88kW/206Nm.

Unlike the MultiAir engine that enables you to have your cake and eat it too, the less punchy 1.4 turbo is not only slower off the mark, but consumes more (premium) fuel and emits more CO2.

Its respective figures of 6.4L/100km and 149g/km don't quite cut it with the MultiAir's 5.7L/100km and 132g/km. Nor does the acceleration, where 100km/h comes up in 9.4 seconds compared with 7.8 seconds.

The other noticeable deficit, apart from the fact that Alfa's TCT twin-clutch auto is not available, is the base car's steel wheels. At least, like the Progression version’s alloys, they are 16-inchers and wear identical-size 205/55R16 Pirelli tyres. And the clip-on wheel trims don't look downmarket.

As for the rest of the car, the base Giulietta doesn't skimp. Six airbags, auto start/stop, hill-holder, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on headlights, cruise control, trip computer, front-rear power windows and a six-speaker sound system with steering wheel controls are all standard.

Dynamically, the base Giulietta still gets an electronic differential, plus Alfa's DNA system that offers three functional modes controlling engine, brakes, steering and suspension according to driver preferences.

The outcome is that, although there's not the immediate punch of MultiAir versions, the regular Giulietta never feels like an entry-level model.

The interior is well presented, much classier in choice of trim materials and standard of finish than older Alfas. There's also decent passenger space, at least for front-seat passengers, and the driving position – on a well-shaped seat – is decently removed from the short-legged, long-armed mismatching that once characterised the marque.

But if front passengers are determined to enforce their rights, those in the back will find themselves significantly compromised, at least in terms of legroom. Co-operation between occupants is necessary on long trips.

Also on the deficit side are the awkward-to-reach knobs on the outboard side of the seats for adjusting the backrest angle and the sometimes difficult to read gauges.

The lower-tech engine does a good job. With 1259kg to haul along, it's not over-stressed and actually delivers a responsiveness that belies the official 9.4-second 0-100km/h figure.

The long-stroke engine's 206Nm of torque comes on stream from 1750rpm and maximum kiloWatts are developed quite early at 5000rpm, so the power is usually readily available – even if there is slight evidence of low-rpm turbo lag.

The six-speed manual shifter is nice too. With a slightly long throw reminiscent of early Alfas combining with tightly-spaced ratios, the Giulietta shows its heritage (although it was something of a disappointment to find there was no footrest next to the clutch pedal).

The car is quite low-geared, which goes some of the way to explaining its relative spiritedness – as well as the extra thirst when compared with the MultiAir version. The official fuel figures are not far off the mark: Against the claimed average of 6.4L/100km we recorded 6.8L/100km on test.

Unlike some multi-mode systems, the Alfa's DNA system is more than just imaginary. It is possible to feel the car tightening up and getting a little more eager when switching to the Dynamic mode.

Similar to the 145 Alfa model that pioneered ultra-quick steering, the Giulietta spins from lock to lock in just 2.2 turns. This helps give even the base model a sharpness consistent with the marque's sporty overtones and combines with the sweet-shifting transmission to make the most out of a twisting, challenging road.

And it rides well, combining firmness with a touch of suppleness to keep passengers happy – although road noise intrudes more than some of its competitors.

The well-shaped 350-litre boot, aided by a 60/40-split folding rear seat, is claimed to be larger than that of the Alfa147, although storage space inside the cabin is compromised by a dearth of handy cubbies.

All this considered, the base Alfa Romeo Giulietta is not an uncomfortable step down from the significantly more expensive MultiAir Progression version.

With a truly competitive price, and much of the gear you'll find in more expensive Giuliettas, the new base model sits neatly in Australia's small car segment. The badge should help a bit too.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.