Read Caroline’s Alfa Romeo Junior review for everything you need to know about buying Alfa’s new small SUV in Ireland.
Alfa Romeo Ireland is growing its range of vehicles in Ireland with the arrival of the new Junior. Slotting into the range below the Tonale, the Junior is a new compact crossover that’s available as a hybrid or full battery electric vehicle.
Alfa hasn’t marketed a compact model in Ireland since the Mito and Giulietta, so the Junior should help open up the brand to more buyers once again. It starts from €34,995.
Let’s take a closer look.
What is the Alfa Romeo Junior?
The Junior is a small crossover to rival other upmarket crossovers like the Lexus LBX, Smart #1 and Volvo EX-30. It was initially to be called the Milano, however the Italian government forbid it because the car is built in Poland, not Italy.
Design
But it was definitely designed in Italy, the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile in Turin to be precise. Packaging the Alfa style and flair into such compact dimensions must have been a challenge. But the Junior manages to pull off a sensuous design that is full of interesting details like the dramatic V-shield at the front, short overhangs, muscular wheel arches and iconic kamm tail. In Bera red, it’s a real head turner.
There are six colours to choose from in total, with a black contrast roof possible.
The standard wheel size is 17-inch for the hybrid, 18-inch on the electric. LED lights and black wing mirror caps come as standard. Opt for the electric, and you can step up to the Speciale trim level. This adds a slightly different alloy wheel design, matt black body kit with red inserts, rear privacy glass and a different Alfa shield at the front.
Alfa Romeo Junior Interior
The Junior has a gorgeous cabin. It is beautifully designed with a snug and sporty feel. Top features include the sporty Alfa steering wheel, classic cowled instrument binnacle, and centre piece finished in Alcantara. There are hard plastics in the doors and the top of the dashboard, but the Junior just about gets away with it because the rest of it is so nice. The Alfa manages to feel special inside, though a Lexus LBX does feel of better quality overall.
There’s also a full digital driver display and 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity.
The Speciale is worth upgrading to for a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, parking camera, sports pedals, power adjustment for driver’s seat with lumbar support and massage, and keyless entry.
There are a few packs available that add more equipment like the Performance interior pack with special suede and leather bucket seats by Sabelt and performance steering wheel.
Practicality
The Junior is a small car and that’s no more apparent than in the back where legroom will be tight for anyone other than small children. The rear doors don’t open very wide making access rather awkward too. On the plus side, the Junior Elettrica has about 400 litres of boot space and the hybrid about 415 litres. So that’s bigger than the Smart #1 or Volvo EX-30, and about the same as the Lexus LBX hybrid.
The Junior Speciale also comes with a powered tailgate as standard.
Driving
The Junior has been designed to be the sportiest and most exciting car to drive in its class. Based on a familiar platform as stablemates like the Opel Mokka, Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600e, the Junior is the sportiest and most sophisticated small car yet to use this platform. It is brilliant fun to drive with incredibly sharp steering and virtually no body roll through bends. Combined with the lively 156hp electric motor and some artificial ‘engine’ noise, and the Junior becomes a real joy to drive around town in particular.
It’s equally accomplished out on larger roads like motorways. The ride quality is smooth and it’s very refined for a small car. It’s only rural roads where the firm suspension can make it feel a little bumpy.
There are also different drive modes named after Alfa’s long-standing DNA switch – Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency. Just a pity that they haven’t included the traditional DNA rotary dial. Instead it’s a standard button found across its Stellantis stablemates.
The Junior Elettrica on test uses a 54kWh lithium-ion battery and has an official range up to 406 kilometres (WLTP). During my time with the car, it proved to be consistently efficient with my average consumption finishing up at 16.2kWh per 100 kilometres. A heat pump comes as standard.
For performance enthusiasts, there’s also the Junior Elettrica Veloce with a mouth-watering 280hp and numerous sporty upgrades like lowered suspension and mechanical limited slip differential.
Charging
DC fast charging is possible up to 100kW for a 20-80% charge in 24 minutes at a suitably rapid charger. AC charging is possible up to 11kW.
Is the Alfa Romeo Junior only electric?
No, it will be available as a hybrid known as the Junior Ibrida, due to arrive in Ireland shortly based around a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with 136hp and available in both front wheel drive or Q4 all-wheel drive.
Pricing
The Junior hybrid starts from €34,995, as does the entry level Junior electric. Step up to the Speciale from €38,950 and the high performance Veloce from €51,495.
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior is a brilliant return for Alfa to the compact class. It’s stylish and brilliant fun to drive, with a little of the Alfa magic that does make it stand out among its rivals. Interior quality could be better in places, but the overall experience behind the wheel is a good one. It’s a shame it’s not a bit roomier in the back, but for may people this will be just perfectly sized. Altogether, the Junior seems well suited to Irish roads and offers an upmarket and refined driving experience – with lots of Italian style and flair that makes it very desirable.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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