• Auto123 tests the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema.
As a compact sports sedan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is little known in North America and is very popular with fans of the genre who have driven it. With its solid performance and quintessentially Italian design, the Giulia has carved out a small space for itself in a competitive segment.
Please note that the Giulia Estrema is a new variant for 2023. It falls in line between the Veloce and the top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio models.
Photo: D. Boshouwers
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023 in profile
Design of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
With this Giulia, Alfa wanted to ensure that a balance was struck between style and performance. Despite some modern touches, the current model does not represent a radical departure from its predecessors. It retains the brand’s characteristic clean and sporty design language, so the front end features Alfa Romeo’s iconic triangular grille, now flanked by sharp LED headlights. Some may find this grille a bit too impressive. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t. In any case, it’s noticeable, but less garish than some of the larger BMW grilles.
In profile, the Giulia Estrema has a well-proportioned silhouette with a long hood and slightly sloping roofline, which contributes to its sporty character. This character is further enhanced by the dark-tinted 19-inch light-alloy wheels. The rear features four exhaust pipes and a subtle spoiler that contribute to its aerodynamic profile.
Photo: Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce 2023
Interior of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
As is Alfa Romeo tradition, the interior is driver-focused. The materials used are high quality, with a mix of leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber accents. The sports seats offer good support and comfort, which is particularly enjoyable for the driver. The second row doesn’t offer much headroom or legroom.
Although the multimedia system is a step in the right direction compared to its predecessors, it lags behind competitors such as iDrive from BMW or MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) from Mercedes-Benz. The 8.8-inch touchscreen is responsive, but the interface isn’t as intuitive and the system lacks the advanced voice control features found elsewhere.
Cargo space is acceptable—this is a compact sports sedan, remember—but the trunk opening is narrow, which can make fitting a larger suitcase difficult, if not impossible. Let’s just say I had to be persistent to accommodate a hockey bag.
Photo: D. Boshouwers
The front of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
Engines and versions of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2023
The Giulia is available with two powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (280 hp, 306 lb-ft of torque). With an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in around 5.5 seconds, it offers respectable performance. However, the engine doesn’t offer the same low-end performance as some rivals and could benefit from a smoother stop-start system. All-wheel drive is standard on all models. In fact, only the Quadrifoglio variant can benefit from a rear-wheel drive configuration.
The top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio is equipped with a 2.9-liter V6 developed in collaboration with Ferrari. With 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, it’s undeniably quick, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds. This engine offers an exciting driving experience with a breathtaking exhaust note.
Here are the 2023 Giulia variants and their starting price in Canada:
- 2023 Giulia Sprint – $56,895
- 2023 Giulia AWD – $59,795
- 2023 Giulia Veloce – $63,995
- 2023 Giulia Estrema – $66,495
- 2023 Quadrifoglio – $95,445
Technical data sheet of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
Technical data sheet of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce 2023
Technical data sheet of the Alfa Romeo Giulia TI 2023
Technical data sheet Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 2023
Technical data sheet Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2023
Photo: D. Boshouwers
Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023 red
Drive the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
What it lacks in raw power, the Giulia Estrema makes up for in driving dynamics. If you like sporty and responsive driving, this is for you. The chassis is well balanced and the suspensions ensure a comfortable and agile driving experience. The steering is precise and provides very pleasant feedback, and the car follows corners very well. In most situations, but especially on winding country roads, driving this sedan is very, very pleasant.
However, if you want more raw power and your budget allows it, there is the Quadrifoglio model. The power of its V6 is impressive and the model’s handling makes it a joy to drive on twisty roads. The adaptive suspension allows the driver to customize the driving experience, although it can be a little firmer in sportier settings.
The Giulia isn’t as refined as some of its German competitors. Road and wind noise can be distracting at high speeds, and build quality may not meet the expectations of those accustomed to the precision and craftsmanship of competitors’ cabins. Additionally, Alfa Romeo’s track record when it comes to reliability is a cause for concern, and the brand has yet to resolve all of its issues.
Photo: D. Boshouwers
Preview of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema
The last word
If the joy of driving an everyday car is important to you, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema is an attractive choice. It offers a distinctly Italian design, two different powertrains and satisfying performance that you can take to exciting levels if you opt for the fancy four-leaf clover version.
The Estrema is designed for buyers who want a more upscale Giulia but don’t want to spend the extra $25,000 for the Quadrifoglio variant’s powerful V6.
However, it’s worth noting that the Giulia lags behind in interior design and build quality, and concerns about its reliability remain. Potential buyers should weigh these factors against the competition to determine whether this Italian sports sedan is the right choice for them.
Photo: D. Boshouwers
Logo of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
Some of your questions about the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
Is the Giulia Estrema suitable for everyday and practical use?
It is sporty and dynamic, but also offers a comfortable and well-equipped interior, making it suitable for daily commutes and long journeys.
What is the fuel consumption of the Giulia Estrema?
Although the Giulia Estrema emphasizes performance, it offers reasonable, if not best-in-class, fuel consumption in the sports sedan segment. The official figures are 10.5 liters/100 km in the city, 7.7 liters/100 km on the highway and 9.2 liters/100 km in combined driving.
Competitors of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023
- Acura Integra
- Audi A4
- BMW 3 Series
- Cadillac CT4
- Genesis G70
- Infiniti Q50
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Volvo S60
Photo: D. Boshouwers
Exterior design of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema 2023