Summary
The Alfa Romeo 4C was a mid-engined sports coupé and convertible (Spider) which rivalled the likes of the Lotus Elise and Porsche 718 Cayman before it was discontinued in 2020.
First unveiled at the 2013 Geneva motor show, the sports car’s name, ‘4C’, referred to its turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produced 240hp and a 0-62mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds.
“The looks, engine and badge to make it a superb sports car”, Carwow commented, while praising the 4C for its agile handling that was aided by its lightweight chassis.
That said, Carwow and many other outlets concluded that the 4C was dynamically flawed, with a lethargic throttle response and unruly driving manners that made the car difficult to keep in a straight line. “It’s way too demanding, exhausting and, at times, downright scary”, Auto Express explained.
While some journalists found the 4C’s driving dynamics problematic, almost all reviewers expressed their disappointment with the sports car’s interior, which Top Gear said displayed a “lack of attention to detail”, while pointing to the interior’s “plasticky trim and numerous exposed screw-heads”.
With interior comfort and quality lacking, it’s no great surprise that the motoring media also took issue with the 4C’s price tag.
As of January 2025, the Alfa Romeo 4C holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 61%.
4C highlights
- Alluring exterior looks
- Impressive performance and engine soundtrack
- Sharp handling
4C lowlights
- Uncomfortable and unruly on the road
- Underwhelming interior quality
- Expensive price tag
Key specifications
Body style: Coupé and convertible
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £45,000 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2013
Last updated: Summer 2015
Discontinued: Summer 2020
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“While the Alfa Romeo 4C’s looks caused a sensation and marked a revival of the brand as a thoroughbred sports car manufacturer, the reality is that this Alfa doesn’t deliver the kind of driver involvement and engagement that a pure-bred Italian sports car should serve.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Spider (2016)
Score: 4 / 10
“Alfa gives 4C sports car more appeal with drop-top roof, but same problems remain.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Spider
Score: 6 / 10
“Alfa 4C Spider looks sublime, and gets some mechanical updates too – but it costs £8,000 more than the coupe.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: (2017)
Score: 4.8 / 10
“While some will find the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider’s driving manners to be engaging in a very raw, energetic and intense way, far more people will find it way too demanding, exhausting and, at times, downright scary.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Spider (2015)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo 4C, even in evolved Spider form, remains a car that feels like it’s yet to realise its full potential. That said it’s one that manages to gloss every journey with a pretty priceless sense of occasion.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
The Alfa Romeo 4C is special and exotic – and that exposed carbonfibre monocoque is a constant reminder of both.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The 4C has its faults, but it’s also an exciting, scintillating little sports car that proves Alfa Romeo still has the ability to make a vehicle to excite the enthusiasts that have so long believed in it.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 5 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo 4C is blisteringly quick, but a handful to drive.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Spider
Score: 5 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider has the looks, engine and badge to make it a superb open-top sports car. The trouble is, it isn’t much fun to drive, is uncomfortable and has a low-rent interior.”
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Evo
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Removeable roof and styling tweaks add a new layer to the Alfa Romeo 4C’s appeal, but the Spider is still a flawed sports car.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“No doubt the Alfa Romeo 4C is a quality item. Beautiful, and beautifully put together, it feels worth every penny of its £45,000 asking price.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: 4C
Score: 1 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo 4C offers impressive performance from 1750 turbocharged engine; exotic specification of carbon fibre tub construction; and good looks and rarity.”
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Motors
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Weighing less than most city cars, the 4C is designed to make the most of its 1.7-litre 237hp turbocharged petrol engine – and with that comes good performance, impressive handling and good fuel economy.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“While the 4C’s looks caused a sensation and marked a revival of the brand as a thoroughbred sports car manufacturer, the reality is that this Alfa doesn’t deliver the kind of driver involvement and engagement that a pure-bred Italian sports car should serve.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo 4C is incredibly stiff and lightweight, and enthusiasts will appreciate being able to see the bare carbon weave of the tub from inside the car.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed:
“The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is a sexy, slightly flawed genius.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
Score: 5 / 10
“As a car the Alfa Romeo 4C gets two stars; one for having a fabulously clever stereo system and one for being very economical. But as a thing, I’d give it six.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Spider
Score: 6 / 10
“Beautiful to behold and with an exotic specification, but the Alfa 4C Spider leaves you feeling a bit disappointed.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 5 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo 4C is everything we wanted a lightweight Italian sports car to be, right down to the traditional Alfa flaws.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
Due to its price tag and very small sales volume, the Alfa Romeo 4C was not tested by Euro NCAP during its life cycle.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Alfa Romeo 4C was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life cycle.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Alfa Romeo 4C to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the 4C, we’ll publish the results here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of January 2025, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Alfa Romeo 4C. Check back again soon.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Alfa Romeo 4C, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alpine A110 | Audi TT | BMW Z4 | Jaguar F-Type | Lotus Elise | Porsche 718 Boxster | Porsche 718 Cayman | Toyota GR Supra
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