Name: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (2016 – ) | Expert Rating
Item: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Rating: 54.0

Summary

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a high-performance version of the Giulia saloon. Unlike most halo models, which tend to come along at least a year after the regular models are launched, the Quadrifoglio was unveiled at the same time as the rest of the Giulia range.

The Giulia Quadrifoglio spearheads a revistalised Alfa Romeo range and is closely related to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV.

Power for the Giulia Quadrifoglio comes from a 500hp, 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine developed by Ferrari. Even higher performance Giulia GTA and GTAm models arrived in 2021, although these are not included on this page.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has received universally positive reviews from motoring journalists, with high praise for its driving dynamics.

However, it’s not as great to live with, let down by high running costs (not surprising given the performance) and questionable reliability in recent years. It’s also one of the oldest new car models on sale in the UK, having been launched back in 2016, so its Euro NCAP safety rating has now expired and it struggles to match newer rivals in terms of efficiency and technology. This means that, as of January 20254, its New Car Expert Rating is only an E, with a score of 54%.

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized saloon
Engines: 2.9-litre petrol
Price: From £75,204 on-road

Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol automatic Giulia Quadrifoglio MY2021
Score: 9 / 10
“The engine is still brilliant and tuneful; the chassis still a masterstroke with great poise and balance. If I had to bet, I’d put a few quid on Alfa having rewritten a few lines of code in the steering software. Still sharp and responsive, the initial response is now more measured than before, and less flighty. The best small super saloon just got better.” (Dan Prosser)
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With more than 500bhp on tap, and handling that matches its class rivals, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is the car Alfa enthusiasts have been hankering after for years. Yes, it will cost a significant amount to run, but with great looks and great handling to back up its stonking performance, there’s really not a lot to say against the Alfa if you’re in the market for a mid-size super saloon.”
Author: Shane Wilkinson
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Model reviewed: 2023 facelift model
Score: 9 / 10
“The updated Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is better than ever, with a unique appeal and serious performance.” (Jordan Katsianis)
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Score: 10 / 10
“Several years after its launch, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio remains one of the most thrilling super saloons on sale today. The driving experience is just as exhilarating as before, but minor tweaks for 2020 have improved the Gulia as an everyday package. The revised infotainment still isn’t perfect, but it’s an easy flaw to forgive. The next BMW M3 will have to be good to beat it.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“Alfa Romeo super saloon is a convincing rival to the Mercedes-AMG and BMW M establishment.”
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Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s not getting any younger, but the Giulia Quadrifoglio is still an incredibly desirable performance saloon with the kind of delicate handling characteristics that its heavier German rivals struggle to match.” (James Dennison)
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Car Keys+

Score: 9 / 10
“In terms of performance saloon cars, we can’t think of many more appealing prospects than the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.”
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Carbuyer+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a thrilling super saloon that seems perfectly set up for UK roads”
Author: Tom Dumbrell, Richard Ingram
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Carwow+

Score: 9 / 10
“Alfa has a rich history of building cars that are great to drive and this Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s is a proper BMW M3 beater. It could be better quality inside, though.”
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Company Car Today+

“While the regular Giulia can genuinely compete with the best premium saloons in its sector, this monster of a car shows that Alfa can still offer glamour, performance and desirability at the top end of the segment.”
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Daily Mail+

Score: 10 / 10
“There is no other car in the world today with such understated sophistication, good looks and exhilarating performance. If this really is the make-or-break car Alfa has pinned its future on, then stand easy, everyone – mission accomplished.” (Chris Evans)
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Evo+

Score: 10 / 10
“It was designed to compete with the BMW M3, and left with class honours – the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a masterpiece.”
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The Sun+

“It’s a rear-wheel drive Alfa/Ferrari. It’s everything you want it to be. Clarkson’s favourite. Top Gear mag’s Car of the Year. The safest car ever tested by Euro NCAP. And it comes with three years’ unlimited warranty, free servicing and roadside assistance. Alfa has got it so right.”
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The Sunday Times+

Score: 8 / 10
“What I’m saying here, in this straight, no-cocking-about road test, is that Alfa Romeo has made a car dynamically better than the BMW M3. And it has. It really has. This is Iceland beating England. And I couldn’t be more pleased.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Score: 8 / 10
“Look out, BMW.”
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The Telegraph+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is the best four-door supersaloon on the market. Its Ferrari-derived V6 engine makes one of the finest noises of any car, and its handling characteristics make it an addictive plaything.”
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Top Gear+

“The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of the best cars I’ve driven. Its chassis and ride offer an incredible bipolar personality that sees it morph out of comfortable fuel-sipper to track nutter with a twist of a knob.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2016
Date expired: January 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 98%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 60%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

If the Giulia Quadrifoglio is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here. However, don’t be expecting an outstanding set of results from a 500hp petrol V6-powered sports saloon…

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 58
Average repair cost: £1482.82
Last updated: October 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of October 2024, the Alfa Romeo Giulia holds a very poor reliability score of just 15%, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.

Several of the repair bills have also been hugely expensive, such as an average gearbox repair cost of more than £8,000. Electrical system repairs are also far more expensive than you’d expect to see, with an average repair bill of almost £3,000. Fortunately, both of these problem types have been relatively rare to date.

In owners’ surveys conducted by some magazines, the Giulia has scored very well. However, these are not based on verified objective workshop data like the information we have above.

If you own an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, or are looking buy a second-hand model, you should definitely think about purchasing a used car warranty that covers these problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	28 mpg	E	27 – 28 mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	229 g/km	D	227 – 236 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	48	D	46 – 50	D – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£544	D
Year 2	£1,307	D
Year 3	£2,070	D
Year 4	£2,353	D
Year 5	£3,174	D
Overall	£9,448	D

As you might expect, the high-performance Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is an expensive car to run on the daily commute, according to data exclusively provided by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption for the twin-turbo V6 engine is inevitably poor, which is closely related to the CO₂ score. The Giulia’s huge performance also means it earns a very high insurance group rating, so you’ll pay quite a lot for your annual car insurance premium.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Alfa Romeo Giulia

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Date: July 2023Model types: Giulia QuadrifoglioBuild dates: 12/2015 to 11/2020Number of vehicles affected: 100Defect: Affected vehicles equipped with the option BRM (carbon ceramic matrix brakes) may face a braking management issue due to unexpected control unit signals. This may potentially lead to a carbon ceramic disc rupture with a resultant risk of loss or degradation of braking performance.Remedy: Reprogramme the BSM (braking system module) with updated software.

Date: September 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2020 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 973
Defect: The automatic headlight position sensors may not have been calibrated and therefore the function does not comply with the requirements of ECE R48.
Remedy: Recalibration of the automatic headlight position sensors and alignment of the headlights.

Date: January 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 157
Defect: Due to a production nonconformity there may be the possibility of a fuel leak from the fuel pressure and temperature sensor.
Remedy: Replace the front fuel supply pipe and sensor.

Date: September 2021
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 37
Defect: The vehicle may not comply with ECE Regulation 16 Amendment 07 where all seats must be equipped with a safety belt reminder function with visual and audible indication of seat belt status.
Remedy: Conduct a software update to ensure the seat belt indication is available for all occupied seats.

Date: March 2021
Model types: Giulia Quadrifoglio
Build dates: 03/2020 to 08/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 7
Defect: There is a possibility of the rear brake discs having micro-cracks.
Remedy: Replace the rear brake discs.

Date: January 2020
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 57
Defect: The seats may not lock in the correct position.
Remedy: Check and replace the seat frame if necessary.

Date: December 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2017 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 116
Defect: Fuel leakages may occur and fumes may form inside the passenger compartment.
Remedy: Fit a new plug and seal to the fuel fitter assembly.

Date: September 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2016 to 08/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2,402
Defect: More fuel than actually present in the tank could be displayed on the instrument panel.
Remedy: Update the software of the control module which governs fuel level management.

Date: July 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2016 to 06/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 493
Defect: Undesired acceleration of the vehicle may occur whilst active cruise control is operational.
Remedy: Update the software in the brake system module.

Date: March 2018
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2017 to 12/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 11
Defect: The brake/clutch system components may be damaged and system performance may decay as a result of the potential presence of mineral oil in the brake-clutch fluid because the components are not compatible with mineral oil. As a result brake/clutch system performance may deteriorate.
Remedy: Replace the components in the brake-clutch system.

As of August 2024, there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the overall Alfa Romeo Giulia range, with another two that are specific to the Giulia Quadrifoglio. These cover headlights, fuel system, seats, software and brake issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Alfa Romeo dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Giulia, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.