Name: Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010 to 2021) | Expert Rating
Item: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Rating: 51.0

Table of contents – Alfa Romeo Giulietta

[–]

Summary

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a mid-sized five-door hatchback that was launched in Summer 2010 and soldiered on until Spring 2021.

At the time it was launched, the Giulietta received high praise from across the UK motoring media for its driving dynamics, competitive levels of equipment and an outstanding safety rating. However, the rest of the industry evolved dramatically over the next decade while the Giulietta didn’t, and it slowly became less and less competitive over time. It was finally withdrawn from the UK market in May 2021 after 11 years on sale.

Alfa Romeo has no plan to replace the Giulietta with a similar mid-size hatchback. Instead, the new Tonale small SUV will carry Alfa’s hopes for the foreseeable future in the small family car segment.

As of September 2024, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta holds a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 51%. It gets good grades for its low CO₂ emissions, but reliability is only average and its running costs are high. Its safety rating wasn’t great when it was last tested in 2017, and that score has now expired anyway.

More Alfa Romeo Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Giulietta highlights

Still looks good after a decade on sale
Enjoyable to drive
Worthwhile alternative to usual mid-size hatchbacks
Did we mention it looks great?

Giulietta lowlights

Build quality not as good as German rivals
Cabin and boot space not up to par
Steep depreciation makes leasing payments high
Not enough improvements during ten years on sale

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatchback
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £19,820 on-road

Launched: Summer 2010
Last updated: Spring 2019
Ended production: Spring 2021

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is one of the prettiest hatchbacks around. It’s fun to drive too but quality and practicality issues let it down.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Sportiva Nav
Score: 8 / 10
“This is a new lease of life for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sportiva Nav hatch, arriving in the form of some subtle but well-executed styling updates, as well as four new trim levels that are more clearly defined. This model was once solely for Alfa fans; now its appeal is much broadened.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Updated Alfa Romeo Giulia slims down its range to just one sporty engine choice with improved onboard tech.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4.8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta isn’t a bad car, but the trouble is that it competes in a class chock-full of exceptional ones. That said, not many rival hatchbacks look as glamourous as the Giulietta, so if style sits at the top of your wishlist, you might already be sold.”
Read review

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.4 / 10
“A glamorous alternative to the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, and far sexier than a Volkswagen Golf, the Alpha Romeo Giulietta is great to drive and good value too.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta has its flaws, but its dynamic capabilities and stylish looks are enough to keep it in contention.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.6 JTDM-2 120 Super TCT
Score: 7 / 10
“A great-looking alternative to the hatchback norm, but whole-life costs significantly let the Alfa Romeo Giulietta down.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 1.4 TB 170
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is fun to drive, stylish and cleverly engineered.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual Super
Score: 8 / 10
“As a family hatch there are some ways that it’s flawed, but all the same it makes for a gorgeous and strong performer, even if it’s not quite as well-rounded as rivals.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta certainly looks more glamorous than many of its rivals, and boasts an attractive cabin. We also found Alfa’s UConnect infotainment system easy to use and there should be an engine to suit your needs. On the downsides, rear legroom is tight.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.8-litre petrol automatic Quadrifoglio Verde
Score: 5 / 10
“Underwhelmed. Frustrating. Three words that sum up the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. It is certainly no hot hatch – tepid at best. The giants in the hot hatch sector can sleep peacefully, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde is no threat to their crown.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual Lusso
Score: 8 / 10
“One thing you might not expect, given the Fiat Group’s past record, is how safe the Giulietta is, at least according to the results of the Euro NCAP crash tests, in which it achieved a five-star overall rating with no difficulty whatever.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Score: 6.2 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is attractive and characterful, but lacks interior space and feels a bit dated.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a small family hatchback with the emphasis on style, but it’s not the most practical or best to drive.”
Read review

Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual Lusso
“The Giulietta is the best Alfa in years – a car that can take on all rivals for fun, quality, price and style.”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual Super
“For a mid-range hatch, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta offers something a bit extra with its dynamic, styling, accentuated by the concealed door handles to the rear, which can fool you into thinking this five-door hatch is more of a three-door coupe.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual Business Edition
“Not only does the Alfa Romeo Giulietta look good, it drives well and is lavishly equipped with a central touchscreen housing the sat nav, which features preloaded 3D Maps, Bluetooth, audio streaming and voice recognition plus USB and SD reader.”
Read review

Evo+

Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf is more a GT than a proper hot hatchback.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.4 MultiAir
Score: 8 / 10
“Alfa Romeo’s new VW Golf rival, the Giulietta, has plenty of talent.”
Read review

Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol automatic Veloce
Score: 7 / 10
“Unlike many cars in this class, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a car that you’re likely to buy with your heart. It looks great and it has a badge with pedigree. Most other rivals are propositions that will make accountants happy; they may offer low running costs, but they are devoid of character.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“There are lots of excellent family hatchbacks on the market – the Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus to name a few. Sadly, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta isn’t one of them.”
Read review

Honest John+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is likely to turn heads than a Vauxhall Astra. Eager petrol and diesel engines.”
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“With the notable exception of its styling, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta feels outclassed in every way possible.”
Read review

Motors.co.uk+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta has interesting looks, a well-designed cabin, and peppy petrol engines.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5.8 / 10
“Stylish entrance in the medium sector for non-conformists”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta doesn’t drive quite as well as the Golf, Focus or Astra but it is undoubtedly the best-looking car in the sector and with excellent economy.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a stylish alternative to a Golf, but it’s not a better car.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 5 / 10
“The stylish looks of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta are sure to seduce, and it makes plenty of financial sense as both a private buy and a company car. However, numerous rivals are more comfortable, better to drive and classier inside.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Cloverleaf QV
Score: 6 / 10
“A capable machine, but more GT than hot hatch. Think mature rather than arm-wangly Italian.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A beautiful, entertaining and fundamentally different hatch.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0 JTDM-2 Lusso 5dr
Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a reasonably sanitary vehicle, properly thought through and solidly assembled.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“Stylish alternative to the Golf, but it’s nowhere near as rounded.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: December 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 72%
Child protection: 56%
Vulnerable road users: 59%
Safety assist: 25%

Notes on safety ratings

When the Giulietta was first launched, way back in 2010, it was awarded a five-star rating by Euro NCAP with an outstanding set of scores. However, safety standards have moved on over the last decade, and a re-test in 2017 downgraded the Giulietta to a three-star rating.

This revised rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Giulietta to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 65
Average repair cost: £439.97
Last updated: August 2024

Reliability score

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

As of April 2024, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has a fairly average reliability rating of 67%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This is good news if you are considering a used Giulietta.

AThe average repair cost for the Giulietta is about £440, which is less than many of its rivals. Unsurprisingly, gearbox repairs are the most expensive at about £1,000, but these appear to be relatively rare.

Running cost rating

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

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Diesel models	51 mpg	B	50 – 52 mpg	B – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	170 g/km	C	168 – 172 g/km	C – C
Diesel models	146 g/km	B	144 – 148 g/km	B – B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	31	C	15 – 30	A – C

Recalls

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

Date: December 2019
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2018 to 11/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 320
Defect: The intercooler sleeve may detach.
Remedy: The retaining metal band must be replaced with a new component.

Date: July 2015
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2010 to 05/2015
Number of vehicles affected: 878
Defect: The wiring loom connected to the transmission oil pump may chafe against a support bracket and damage the wiring.. Damaged wiring may cause loss of drive or adversely affect gear changes.
Remedy: Check the wiring for any damage and repair as required. If the wiring is not damaged reposition the wiring.

As of August 2024, there have been two DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. These cover wiring and engine cooling systems.

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 Giulietta, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.