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Overview
With a 505-hp twin-turbo V-6 and a brilliantly tuned chassis, the 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has muscled its way toward the top of the competitive sports-sedan segment. While it’s not as posh as the Mercedes-AMG C63 or as lithe as the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, the Alfa brings a massive serving of passion to the table, all the better to charm its driver into clipping apexes on even the most routine commutes. The other thing it serves up is the potential for a maintenance-and-repair headache. We drove one for over 40,000 miles and it didn’t end that long-term test with the best reputation for reliability. Geeked-out car buffs won’t likely care about that, though: the Giulia Quadrifoglio is that much fun to drive. Although it hasn’t had a styling update since it was launched as a 2018 model, the Giulia remains one of the most beautiful cars in the class. Its interior, too, is stylish, even if it lacks the same level of fit-and-finish as its competitors.
What’s New for 2024?
To celebrate the 100th birthday of the four-leaf clover Quadrifoglio badge it puts on its high-performance cars, Alfa Romeo has ginned up an exclusive 100thAnniversario model of the high-powered Giulia Quadrifoglio sports sedan. Only 100 will be built and all of them come with gold-painted brake calipers, unique wheels, carbon fiber grille and mirror caps, gold stitching on the seats and dashboard, and a set of commemorative badges inside and out. The Giulia Quadrifoglio otherwise benefits from the same upgrades as the non-QF model, which includes new LED headlamps and taillamps. The car also now comes with a larger 12.3-inch digital gauge display.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We wouldn’t add much to the Giulia’s equipment list, as it already boasts desirable features such as in-dash navigation, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, and a 15-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. If you’re into driver assists—and we understand why you might not care for them in a driver’s car like this one—we’d suggest adding the Active Assist Plus package as it comes with lane-keeping assist, a driver-attention monitor, and Alfa’s adaptive cruise control system, which features a lane-centering feature. All-wheel drive is not on the menu, however; the QF is strictly a rear-drive sedan, which is one of the reasons it’s so much fun to hustle.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With its rhapsodic twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 and a well-calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission, the rear-drive-only Giulia Quadrifoglio is a riot to pilot. The Italian-built, Ferrari-derived engine produces 505 horsepower, 443 pound-feet of torque, and a spine-tingling timbre that shames most rivals. Too bad a manual transmission isn’t available. We’re also sad to report that Alfa Romeo lives up to its reputation for unreliability, with our long-termer exhibiting several mechanical glitches. The Giulia’s engine contains its excitement when cruising at low rpm and in top gear. Applying the throttle below 3000 rpm results in merely a hint of hesitation, but then the turbos spool up and power builds in a whirlwind of acceleration and a ripping exhaust note. The eight-speed automatic gearbox is decisive and quick to swap gears in the sportier drive modes, and the Giulia’s supple chassis is a willing partner in high-spirited hijinks. The Alfa shines on track and handles daily driving well, with perfect damping and notable isolation from harsh impacts. The zestier driving modes don’t compromise ride quality, either. And then there’s the sensational steering: The thin-rimmed steering wheel feels like a blast from the past, offering feather-light effort, communicative feedback, and pleasingly quick response. The synthesis of these traits into a seamless whole is what separates the Quadrifoglio from its main rivals and helped it win a comparison test against the M3.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Giulia QF and its supersedan rivals are virtually tied in EPA ratings, with the Alfa earning 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The version we tested on our 75-mph fuel-economy route beat its highway estimate by 1 mpg. For more information about the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Giulia’s interior is composed of leather surfaces and faux-suede accents. The attractive front seats are supportive without being restrictive. A pair of racing-oriented Recaro buckets are available, but they lack the power adjustments and heating elements of the standard set. The switchgear and swooping dashboard carry over from the regular Giulia, but the Quadrifoglio adds a copious amount of carbon-fiber trim. The QF’s trunk would accommodate four carry-on suitcases, which is average for this class. The reasonably sized center console adds a bit of front-row storage. Back-seat passengers are limited to small door pockets and cargo netting on the back of the front seats to store their stuff.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 8.8-inch infotainment display in the dash can be controlled by touch or by a rotary knob on the center console. The interface is customizable and intuitive, but the driver may have some difficulty hitting the smaller on-screen icons when the vehicle is in motion. Still, Alfa’s system has a wealth of features and comes with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 15-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system are also standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The swoopy sedan has standard driver assists such as automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring plus a slew of available equipment. For more information about the Giulia’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Alfa Romeo’s limited and powertrain warranties are average for the class. Its corrosion protection is also middling, and its complimentary-maintenance period is shorter than BMW’s.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $76,845/$83,740
Options: Rosso Competizione Tri-Coat paint, $2200; Active Assist 2 package, $2200; Premium package, $995; Dark Tecnico Wheels. $500; Nero Edizione, $500; colored brake calipers, $500
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 176 in3, 2891 cm3
Power: 505 @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 443 @ 2500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 2
F: 245/35ZR-19 (93Y) AR
R: 285/30ZR-19 (98Y) AR
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.0 in
Length: 182.6 in
Width: 73.8 in
Height: 56.1 in
Passenger Volume: 94 ft3
Trunk Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 3862 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.6 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.9 sec @ 121 mph
130 mph: 13.9 sec
150 mph: 20.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 191 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 324 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.96 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Driving: 31 mpg
Highway Range: 470 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/25 mpg
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