2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Carbon AWD new car reviews

What's new for the 2020 Giulia? The biggest item on the list is a refreshed interior. According to the press release, the center console gets a leather-wrapped gear shifter, larger cupholders, an available wireless charging pad and more "premium" materials with "bright accents" all around. The Giulia also gets a new 8.8-inch touchscreen display that features "improved graphics and state-of-the-art connectivity."

The 2020 model also offers an optional driver assistance package that includes features like radar-assisted cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a number of other assists that can make commuting a little less mind-numbing.

Mechanically, the Giulia remains the same for 2020, with all but the Quadrifolgio powered by an all-aluminum 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-four good for 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. The Quadrifolgio still comes powered by the Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 capable of 505 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

All model trims come from the factory with an eight-speed automatic transmission, though you can choose to have power sent to all four wheels for any trim except for the top Quadrifolgio.

We were recently given the keys to a Giulia Ti Sport Carbon with optional all-wheel drive that, as the name should suggest, featured lots of carbon fiber bits. Keep scrolling to read our thoughts about what it's like to drive.

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David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens
Editorial Director

The Alfa styling continues to look fresh and, as promised, the interiors seem to be getting nicer. This one’s new for 2020. (The interior, not the car.)

Alfa notes that the new center console is more functional and, yeah, it all makes sense. Thanks, again, for a normal shifter.

Seats are very comfortable and nicely bolstered. Great gauges. Not sure if I need the start button on the steering wheel, but I get it. Everyone’s got their thing.

I’m going to say that the feel of the interior is still not on par with the Germans, though. There’s still something a click not quite there. Things don’t have the same heft. They look good but, if blindfolded, doesn’t feel like a Benz or BMW.

Does that Italian lightness appeal to you? If so, then it’s a good thing. Perhaps the Alfa is just in its own class.

Size is spot-on, too. For a daily sedan, it’s on target. Decent rear seat room.

How’s it drive? It doesn’t feel like 280 horsepower, but transmission logic felt good, especially in the sportier modes. The ride remains comfortable when in sport mode, too, so it doesn’t become a penalty box. It’s comfortable on the highway and composed on the off-ramps.

The window sticker shows a $7000 Carbon package. It includes the wheels but, still, we’ll let the market decide if it’s necessary. That, along with $3250 for the Driver Assist Package, help take this particular car from its $43,345 base to nearly $60,000.

So, in my mind, the big selling points here. First, the looks. It is gorgeous. And with the competition from BMW getting, well, you know, the Alfa's styling might be a big part of the appeal.

It’s also quick enough for most people. There's a bit of a lag off the line, but motors nicely once moving. Will most customers notice? Probably not.

It’s also different. Looking for a premium sedan that’s not from the usual? Then this could be it.

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Comments
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/21/20 4:05 p.m.

Good to hear that they keep improving it. I still like my '19 a lot.

Which reminds me, I should update my ownership thread, but there just isn't that much to write about.

Vigo (Forum Supporter)
Vigo (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
9/21/20 10:43 p.m.

One of the best looking and most 'right-sized' modern sport sedans. Not that im a prospective buyer but I wish there was a powertrain somewhere between mild and wild. 

Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón)
Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/21/20 11:14 p.m.

They do look incredible. I do wonder how much of the reliability issues are premium customers fussing over things vs. things that will actually leave you stranded- but not enough to look it up at midnight on a Tuesday.

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/22/20 6:01 a.m.

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón) :

My impression is that a lot of the published reliability issues were happening with the QV, and early ones at that. The cooking models aren't as highly strung and seem to be holding up better.

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/22/20 8:20 a.m.

In reply to Vigo (Forum Supporter) :

IIRC if you don't mind the warranty, there is some tuning to be had on the basic four banger drivetrain. IIRC tuners in the UK are or were getting power levels in the mid-300s with relatively modest changes.

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