Alfa Romeo Giulietta road test

If you are after an affordable hatchback as your next company car, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is probably bottom of your list, but with a new automatic gearbox and an improved diesel engine this could change.

While the Giulietta has the style to take on the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, its higher costs have always given the established competition the edge.

The 2.0-litre JDTM Veloce version with the new twin-clutch automatic gearbox (TCT) is designed to upset the status quo, however. This new model, with CO2 emissions of 119g/km of CO2 and an average fuel economy of 62.8mpg, does make interesting reading for the cost-conscious.

The low emissions figure currently places the car in the 13% Benefit-in-Kind band for this year. This means company car tax for a 20% tax payer is around £54 per month. If you are taxed within the 40% threshold it will cost you £107 per month. Now that makes the Alfa a competitive alternative to the mainstream fleet cars.

For the 2012/13 tax year this model will go into the 17% BIK band. As a result the company car driver will pay £70 a month in the 20% tax bracket while higher tax payers will be charged £140. That’s cheaper than the equivalent Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

To drive, the Alfa is competent enough. Mated to the TCT gearbox, it produces 170bhp giving it enough power to complete the 0-62mph benchmark sprint in 7.9 seconds. Top speed is 135mph.

We were pleasantly surprised by the twin-clutch automatic gearbox. Fitted to the smaller MiTo hatchback it felt jerky and slow to respond but these issues seemed to have been fixed for the Giulietta. There are three driving modes: 'Normal' (for everyday driving); Dynamic', which delivers quicker throttle and steering response for enthusiastic driving, and 'All-Weather' for wintry conditions.

In Normal mode the TCT gearbox is smooth, and thankfully there's none of the lurchiness that was evident in the MiTo. Still, it is not as refined as Volkswagen’s DSG system even in Dynamic mode. In this setting you get a little lag but it's no deal-breaker though.

There's also plenty of low-down pulling power offering 320Nm when driving in Normal mode and 350Nm when in Dynamic mode. That extra 30Nm comes in handy when overtaking slower traffic.

The Alfa corners well. There is little body roll and a good amount of grip but the Focus and the Golf are better when it comes to driving dynamics. The steering is quick and responsive but enthusiasts will want more feedback.

The cabin is driver focused. Little details make the car feel a little bit more special than your run-of-the-mill company car. Apart from the aesthetics, it's reasonably practical, but like all Alfas there are a few gripes. The manual seat adjustment could be improved and it requires some faffing about to get a good driving position. The seats could do with a bit more side support too.

Up front there’s plenty of space while the rear has plenty of head- and legroom for anyone less than six feet. There’s also a good sized boot. With the rear seats in place, loadspace is 350 litres - that’s not too far off the Ford Focus that offers 363 litres. The Giulietta’s Achilles Heel, however, is the restricted visibility both out the rear and the front - the small rear window and oversized pillars compromise the driver's view.

Veloce trim may be the flagship specification but it is also the most popular in the UK. There’s plenty of standard kit including the three-mode driving system, air-con, front and rear electric windows, electrically heated and adjustable wing mirrors, CD player with MP3 player and six speakers, rear spoiler, fog lights, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth handsfree, aluminium pedals and kick plates, leather upholstery and 17-inch alloys.

So, if you are bored of mainstream company cars and you have always hankered after an Alfa Romeo, then the Giulietta could tick all the boxes. 

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta 170bhp 2.0-litre TCT in Veloce trim is available to order now with a P11d price starting at £24,745.

To read the full Giulietta review click here

Also consider:

Ford Focus
The Focus is still the class-leader. A quality interior, decent engines and sharp handling still make it the top choice.

VW Golf
The Golf has an upmarket interior, composed handling and offers strong performance.

Vauxhall Astra
Better than its predecessor, the new Astra offers a quality interior, improved engines and acceptable handling.