Time will tell if Alfa Romeo is finally on the right trajectory. While waiting for the slew of new products that are coming – one per year between now and 2030, starting with a new Stelvio in 2025 – the Italian manufacturer’s catalog is enriched with this urban car at rather reasonable prices. If it takes no less than €38,500 to leave with a 156 hp Junior Elettrica, €29,500 provides access to the only thermal variant in the catalogthe Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida. Opposite, we see that a Peugeot 2008 which bequeaths its technical base requires €30,900 with the same mechanics but less standard equipment (no aluminum rims or speedometer screen). Certainly, the comparison with the French SUV is biased, because the latter is more spacious thanks to its larger size (4.30 m compared to 4.17 m). But it is difficult to compare this Milanese produced in Poland with its cousins Fiat 600 (4.17 m) and Jeep Avenger (4.08 m) of closer sizes. The latter are only available with the Stellantis hybrid powertrain in the 100 hp version, while the Alfa only exists in 136 hp.
The Alfa Romeo Junior is envious
Behind this specificity, the Italian seduces with her plasticity. In the spirit of the brand, the stylists have designed a small, perfectly stocked object that is desirable, highlighted on the grille and the rear pillars by the Biscione, this snake with a dragon’s head symbol of Milan, the cradle of Alfa Romeo. The seduction continues by opening the door. The layout displays the sportiness expected of an Italian, suggested by the meter cap, the central console turned towards the driver or the round air vents which light up in red when you switch to Sport. Here is an assertive personality which is good at a time when so many interiors smell of “copy and paste” that you have to look at the logo on the steering wheel to check what you are driving in. But the Junior lives with the times by providing the obligatory driving aids – the most intrusive can be disconnected from a button located between the central air vents – as well as the inevitable screens, 10 inches for both the speedometer screen and the central touch screen.
The latter is placed a little low, but its brightness appears satisfactory and its responsiveness acceptable. Under the panel, a row of buttons for the air conditioning and a wheel to modulate the sound make life easier, the steering wheel also having its own physical controls. The touch/button compromise appears successful in use, as does the driving position thanks to good adjustment ranges. But, the electrically adjustable leather driver’s seat of this Premium version (€34,000) – too bad – does without lumbar support adjustment and lacks lateral support when the road starts to turn.
A limited sense of welcome
There remains the possibility of choosing the Junior in Special finish (€31,500) which opens access to a Sport pack (€2,500) offering Sabelt bucket seats. Having tested them in the Elettrica, they hold the body perfectly in turns. But, it is at the cost of taking up even less negligible space as these seats further reduce the space allocated to passengers in the bench seat, which is already not very large in “our” Junior. Rear space is one of the weak points of the Italian urban SUV and the tape measure confirms that within a few millimeters there is less legroom in the Junior than in a Renault Clio (4.05 m ). Suffice to say that this Alfa Romeo does not have the family fiber. As confirmed by the trunk volume measured at only 230 dm3 under shelf, the fault lies in a loading height limited to 46 cm. Finally, the quality of construction of this Italian made in Poland suffers, behind a suitable assembly, from materials that are not all flattering..
-The Italian could have made up for it with road services that lived up to its reputation… unfortunately this is not the case. From the outset, the Junior makes a good impression. The promise of agility suggested by its small steering wheel is almost fulfilled – the steering is incisive on the first half-turn – while the 136 hp provide real dynamism to this Alfa weighing only 1,374 kg on the scale. Acceleration is sharp and acceleration is vigorous, going from 80 to 120 km/h requiring no more than 6.4 seconds. But this ease of gaining speed is not enough to make this Junior fun to drive. The fault is the charmless sound of the 3-cylinder, the triple-clutch gearbox which is smoother than fast. Without forgetting, behind very effective braking (62 m to stop from 130 km/h), a chassis, certainly balanced, but less engaging than expected. In addition, the 48 V hybridization, widely used at Stellantis, once again lacks fluidity in the city, where it should be forgotten, without working miracles in sobriety.. On our standardized route in Montlhéry, we noted 6.5 l in urban consumption for 6.8 l on average, when a Renault Captur hybrid 145 hp, with much more convincing hybridization, is satisfied, respectively, with 4. 2 l and 5.9 l.
Finally, the picture is not idyllic in terms of comfort. Certainly, we don’t expect the comfort of a Citroën from an Alfa Rome. But, this Junior Ibrida seems firmer and more hectic than its electric counterpart. In terms of insulation, if the Alfa does not break the ears on the road – 65 dBA measured at 90 km/h – the 71 dBA recorded at 130 km/h does not make it the most talented motorway. The fact remains that this perfectible Junior Ibrida will be able to seduce those Alfists who, for years, have been waiting to be able to renew their aging Mito or Giulietta. Especially since we shouldn’t come across this Alfa on every street corner.
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