Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida 2026 Review

The Alfa Romeo Junior range is refreshingly simple, offered with two powertrains: a hybrid (Ibrida) and a full electric (Elettrica). Both come in a single high-level trim, so the main decision is how you want your Junior powered.

The range opens with the Junior Ibrida, priced from $45,900 before on-road costs (ORCs). It pairs a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, sending power to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is 107kW and 230Nm, with combined fuel use quoted at 4.1L/100km. In our testing through the winding roads of South Australia’s Barossa Valley, we recorded 6.4L/100km.

Stepping up to the Junior Elettrica adds around $12,000, bringing the price to $57,900 plus ORCs. This version swaps petrol for a 115kW/260Nm front-mounted electric motor and 54kWh battery, good for up to 407km of WLTP range. The Elettrica wasn’t available to test at launch, with Alfa representatives confirming that with hybrids accounting for around 84 per cent of global Junior sales, it’s the model they wanted to showcase.

Six exterior colours are available on both options, with all but white costing an additional $1990. Alfa’s signature red remains the standout and, like every option, is paired with a contrasting black roof. The only optional extra is a panoramic sunroof, also $1990.

On the outside, the Ibrida rides on 18-inch ‘Petali’ diamond-cut alloy wheels and features adaptive full-LED matrix headlights, privacy glass, dual tailpipes and Alfa’s trademark ‘leggenda scudetto’ grille.

Inside, the cabin blends classic Alfa elegance with modern technology. The ‘Spiga’ seats combine black cloth and leatherette with red highlights, while dual 10.25-inch displays – one for infotainment and one for the driver’s instrument cluster – headline the driver-focused cockpit. Keyless entry and start, wireless phone charging, six-way power front seats with lumbar and driver massage, heated front seats and a hands-free power tailgate are all standard.

Infotainment includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the bright display, built-in navigation and DAB+ digital radio, paired to a six-speaker audio system. Alfa Connect telematics comes standard for the first 12 months, though Alfa has yet to confirm pricing once the trial ends.

Safety is comprehensive with six airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and driver attention monitoring. The model has not been tested by ANCAP nor EuroNCAP.

Both variants come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance. The Elettrica adds an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

The last few years have seen huge movement in Australia’s automotive landscape, with plenty of new arrivals and growing competition from value-focused brands. Amid all that noise, Alfa Romeo has quietly continued to do its thing, building cars that are distinctive, beautifully designed and sporty.

However, with only 29 units sold in September of 2025 as an example, Alfa Romeo needs a sales boost.

In a strategic shift for the Italian marque, Alfa Romeo is aiming to broaden its appeal and attract more female buyers. With around 90 per cent of its current customer base being male, the Junior’s mix of design, comfort, price and size has been carefully planned to change that. And when I saw some of my favourite influencers posting about the Junior as part of its Vogue collaboration event, it suddenly all made sense.

It’s going to be the Junior that gives Alfa Romeo the revival it’s been waiting for.

From the outside, the Junior is unmistakably Alfa. The sculpted bodywork, bold scudetto grille and distinctive three-element headlights give it real presence. Inside, that flair continues with premium materials and a layout that feels genuinely driver-focused. Subtle design touches, like the cursive logo on the tailgate and Biscione emblem etched into the C-pillar and embossed on the wireless charging pad, remind you of its attention to detail.

On the right road, the Junior’s chassis balance and steering precision shine. Through tight corners, it feels light and composed, yet it’s clear the tuning favours comfort over outright sportiness. Daily drivers will appreciate that, but keen drivers might wish for more punch. Around town, it’s composed and feels happiest when driven smoothly rather than enthusiastically.

In a world of cars that increasingly feel like appliances, the Junior stands apart. Cabin design and finish feel well thought out and unique. Even its safety chimes sound softer and more melodic than the usual alert tones. It’s a small touch, but it perfectly sums up Alfa’s approach: emotional and indulgent.

If you’ve landed on an Alfa Romeo review expecting a hot SUV, I’m sorry to report that this isn’t it. It’s not even warm. Both the hybrid and electric versions deliver adequate performance – 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds for the Ibrida and 9.0 seconds for the Elettrica – but there’s no go-fast variant for traditional Alfa enthusiasts. Then again, that’s sort of the point of targeting a new segment that likely doesn’t care about 0-100 times.

The more potent Veloce variant hasn’t been confirmed for Australia, and while a hotter Quadrifoglio isn’t off the table, Alfa says it’ll depend on customer demand. The focus here is on comfort and ease rather than excitement, and that’s reflected in the driving feel. Steering is light and responsive, but not particularly communicative.

It’s hard not to wish that an SUV that looks this sporty actually drove that way.

On paper, the Junior sits in the light SUV segment, and it feels it. Rear legroom and boot space are both tight, so taller passengers or families may find the Tonale a much better fit. The sloping roofline slightly limits rear visibility, and on the topic, visibility in general isn’t great due to thick pillars. The crisp reversing camera, however, alleviates that hurdle.

Practicality also isn’t the Juniors' strong suit. It’s more about presence and personality than outright useability. Cabin storage is modest, the deep cupholders mean you’re reaching in to scoop up your coffee cup and the boot isn’t especially deep. But again, no one buys a light SUV expecting to fit a family.

On paper, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida is smaller inside than many of its rivals. It’ll likely be cross-shopped with the Lexus LBX or Peugeot 2008, while the fully electric Elettrica will also face competition from the Volvo EX30, BMW iX1.

That positioning places it in an interesting middle ground as a boutique, design-led alternative that feels more premium than mainstream offerings, yet still undercuts the established European luxury options on price.

Alfa Romeo continues to tread that fine line between premium and highly specced mainstream offerings, and the Junior captures that balance well. But it’s also a car that needs to do well. With sales slowing and awareness fading, Alfa Romeo can’t afford for the Junior to follow in the footsteps of its Stellantis sibling, Citroën.

It’s not the most practical SUV, nor is it aimed at buyers chasing outright performance or family space. But for those who value individuality, style and a dash of indulgence in their daily drive, the Alfa Romeo Junior delivers something few others do. It’s a reminder that cars can still be beautiful, even when they’re this small.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida at a glance:
Price: $45,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 100kW/230Nm electric motor: 21kW
Combined output: 107kW/230Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 4.1L/100km WLTP
CO2: 92g/km WLTP
Safety rating: Not tested

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