Alfa Romeo Spider (07-10) - Review

Roof up, or roof down, the Spider is a comfortable car. The roof is well insulated, keeping out unwanted noise as well as the chill in winter. All cars have a built-in wind deflector between the roll-hoops, so it’s quite refined with the roof down and it’s easy to hold a conversation or listen to the stereo at speed. The beautifully upholstered leather seats are supportive and stylish, with a ribbed base and Alfa Romeo’s badge embossed into the headrest. There’s plenty of room for the front passenger and the seat is multi-adjustable which makes it easy to find a good driving position.

The Spider’s boot is deep and has a high loading sill, but is still fairly easy to access and large enough to hold two weekend bags or a couple’s weekly shop. Boot space is the same whether the roof is raised or stowed, as the roof lowers into a separate compartment in front of the boot area. The roof itself is fully automatic – there are no catches – and folds in under 20 seconds. Inside there’s a reasonably large glovebox and a centre armrest that flips up and doubles as a chiller for two cans. The two boxes behind the seats are ideal for storing CDs and paperwork. It means that Spider should be easy to live with day-to-day.

Enthusiasts will appreciate the interior that echoes Alfa Romeo roadsters of the 1960s. First time Alfa buyers will find it stylish, user-friendly and surprisingly refined - even with the roof down. The steering position is good and highly adjustable and all the controls are easy to reach. Small details such as the water, fuel, rev and oil gauges written in Italian make the Spider feel special.