I went from a Porsche Macan to the Giulia Quadrifoglio and immediately you notice the difference in cabin quality and tech. It seems like it matters at first and then when you focus on what really matters i.e. how it drives, sounds, feels and the sheer sense of occasion of it, the scratchy plastic in the cabin seems irrelevant! It really is a special car.
5 лет назад
coming from a Macan why didn't you went for the Stelvio Quadri?
I like that you came forward and voiced you're like for the vehicle. I love their designs but their vehicles are to compromised for me. I actually looked at a 4C after they had been to market a year. Beautiful, but, cramped. Lacked storage and required a wrench to replace washer fluid. I wish you continued enjoyment. I will continue to wait for an Alfa sports car with fewer compromises.
@@keithjackson4985 To be fair, I would liken the 4C more to a Lotus of old than the Giulia. The 4C is definitely more of a no-frills, purpose-built car. The Giulia has much more consumer appeal and is pretty easy to live with.
@sebastian Demaria I pretty much decided the SUV experience wasn’t for me. Glad I tried it and the Macan is a great car, but hard to defy gravity given the increased height of SUVs.
I own a Giulia Quad. The Alfa is sublime. I was a skeptic when they first came to the US. Then I drove one. Immediately sold me. Traded my F80 M3 the next day. I have never owned a car that is capable of daily driving comfort and primal acceleration. In comfort if literally feels like a Honda Accord. Put the car in Dynamic or Race and the rate of acceleration will scare most everyone. The car is a beast in the twisties and inspires so much driver confidence. If you are in the market for one of these then do it. There is a reason every automotive publication has the QV winning head to head competitions.
styleew1 totally agree. I‘ve had my Guilia Quad for 4 months - best car I’ve owned - much better than my C63s or M5. The engineering in this car is nuts. It’s a Ferrari with 4 doors.
congrats on the alfa qv! how is the performance in winter? do you think you can still drive it safely with just rear wheel drive, winter tyres and in A-mode? I live in a place where a couple of centimeters snow can go down every now and then, as well as occasional icy roads between 0 and -5 Celcius, but I want to avoid having a second car just for winter. the performance of 500+ horsepower and rear wheel drive is kinda scary in winter. thx!
@@omegapsi847 I live in Arizona so I'm probably not the best person to ask. However, I know people that own the QV in colder climates and it sounds like they definitely need to put on winter tires in order to maintain traction and stability.
@@omegapsi847 I drive it year round. Picked up a second set of Tecnico wheels and fitted them with the Michelin Pilot Aplin PA4 winter tires. I live in New England and regularly drive the car in snow. Is it as good in the snow as an Audi or similar AWD car? No. However, it is still doable as long as you run snow tires. I am running a performance snow tire versus a dedicated snow. Even with the performance snows I make it to and from work fine. It would probably be even better if I used a dedicated snow. It is a beast in the dry even when temperatures drop below freezing as long as you use the right shoes. Do not talk yourself out of a possible purchase because you live in a cold climate. Good Luck!
What a shame the Alfa isn’t selling that well when it has so many positive reviews let’s hope people give them a chance so Alfa can continue to build cars like this
Unfortunately for ordinary people owning an Audi makes them feel like they arrived...don’t know where but they feel like that! Most of them have an iPhone, gucci, Armani...you know, those shits, those stereotype. They don’t want to buy an Alfa because they can’t keep the pressure of the social judgment “have you bought an Alfa? Seriously? Loser!”...no loser...who buys an Audi is...well...ordinary...in the VERY negative sense of the word
@@AngelosVollaro Their reliability isn't any worse than anything else in their competitive segment. Ever had to maintain an M car or an AMG, or even an Audi S model? All these cars that try to live on the cutting edge of technology inevitably face reliability issues, it's the nature of the beast.
Hope you are loving your Alfa. And one day get a Quadrifoglio. They are just effing brilliant. I have one and people always say "Nice car mate" and let me pull out in junctions. I had an M4 with a Comp pack (great car) but everyone thought I was a cock. I,ve just had exhaust valve ecu mod done and new magnaflow mid section exhaust fitted and in race mode you can hear it over a mile away! Sell a kidney or something and go and get one. Regards. Rog
I first saw Alfa on the road near my home and it was a dealer test driving the vehicle when it has just arrived in the US. i was blown away by the exhaust sound and the rapid acceleration of the car and I literally followed the dealer back to the dealership. I asked them if i can test drive one and they took one look at me and said no. so i went to another dealership the weekend and they somehow allowed me to test drive one. i was blown away by the exhaust and acceleration and handling. nevertheless i bought one a few weeks later and traded my RS5 in and havent looked back since then. 2 years of owner ship and not even one issue. not even one.
It’s amazing how many reviewers get hung up on ‘plastics and switchgear’. The Audi is a complete bore. BMW were once great - now almost of dull as Audi. I’ve owned them all and now have a Giulia Quad - it’s hands down the best car on sale for the money. The engineering is incredible and if you value the driving experience there’s no alternative this side of a 488 Ferrari.
I own a Giulia Quadrifoglio and I have to say it is my favorite car I have ever owned. I find it has all of the creature comforts I could want, but it is the drive quality that makes it so outstanding. This car will put a smile on your face every time you drive it
I test drove both and went with the RS5. The QV is just not practical to drive in the winter in Canada. I’ve come to love the RS5 and find it totally engaging to drive, safe and comfortable.
@@GamesBond.007 why would you get a stelvio if you’re not going to get the Giulia. The stelvio is also not designed for winter either because it’s AWD system is 100% rwd until you lose traction. By that time in deep snow, you’re either stuck or in an accident. Just go check the episode on the grand tour for Alfa’s running in sand. It’s flipping hilarious how bad they make a sports utility vehicle.
@@NBASFANAlfas Q4 system is a very good system and at least as good as Audis. There are videos where a Giulia climbs up a snowy hill like a monkey. Audis Quattro is just the name from the legendary ,,Ur-quattro" but the system was never the best and unbeatable. The real best 4WD system is from Subaru.
Agreed. I own a Quadrifoglio as a daily driver and really nothing else compares. Videos also do no justice as to how good that exhaust sounds in person. The steering is simply phenomenal. And those PADDLES!!!
Really nice rewiew. You only forgot to mention the paddles. In the Alfa they are the real thing, long slim aluminium paddles connected to the steering collum like they should be. In the Audi just some small plastic blisters on the back of the steering wheel.
Ill take the engaging Alfa over the boring Audi any day. Ill gladly trade the plow and LCD displays of the Audi to get feel, life, excitement in the Alfa. It's funny how the RS cars have become what the S cars were. Sad
Obviously not listening, the RS tends toward understeer after limit of grip is reached. The limit of grip is way higher than the Alfa which tends toward the opposite, snap oversteer at the limit of its grip. I think its fair to say the Audi's attributes are more focussed toward a GT type car whereas the Alfa is more of a hooner. The Alfa's looks are not standing the test of time and dating very quickly now. Not sure why the comparison isn't the latest version of RS5 Sportback. The new one has handling revisions and performance gains. I like the Alfa but I live in the real world and want a consumate allrounder, I simply couldn't live with the cheap and nasty interior either therefore for me the RS5 Sportback would be my choice of the two cars
@@Gez492 Consumers agree the Audi is more appealing. Doesn't matter how good the Alfa is if no one buys them! Alfa doesn't make a profit and the rumour is the brand might be sold or mothballed.
@@Gez492 haha well that's the award for ironic statement of the year sorted out. I'm in a car park and a Giula and a A5 sportback have literally just driven past me within 2 cars of each other. The Alfa, like almost every Alfa since the 166 is timeless in its design. From the side profile it looks ultra sleek and a very cohesive design. The Audi looks very modern and of its time and that is what will make it look terrible in 5 years time. Creases on the side that the designers seem to think qualifies as design detail. It's the same with all the German brands now, just add creases to the metal and claim that passes as some sort of expressive design. Compare a 1998 Audi A4 to a 156 or a 2000 A6 to a 166 or the 2005 A4 to the 159. There is no comparison, the Alfas all look like they could still be in production while the Audi's look like old cars.
@@Gez492 also I think it's you who wasn't listening, the Audi's grip level is lower than the the Alfas. The Audi begins to push early on and go into the usual Audi understeer. I've never once heard of a Giulia QF suffering from snap oversteer. It's considered one of the most progressive and controllable cars on sale today. The M4 is often accused of snap oversteer or uncontrollable torque. Seems like you are jealous that Audi just simply cannot make a driver's car no matter how much they try. I guess that's what happens when you allow your cars keep the fundamentally flawed concept of a longitudinally mounted engine ahead of the front axle. And don't even try claiming Audi's have better build quality, they are renowned for having the same crap reliability as all VW products. Perceived quality fools simpletons though so I will give Audi that.
I came from a M4 to a RS5 and couldn't be happier. IMO a car pushing this much horsepower needs to have AWD to maximize its use in day to day driving. The RS5 is a winner for me because it's just so well rounded.
But the M4 is faster, it's a lot lighter and if you drive the M4 propelly for sure you notice the car handles much better than the Audi, the RS5 is more Highway focused, with Confort and safety in the rainy and snowy days...
In owning a 2018 Giulia 2.0 Q4 Ti Sport for over a year now and it still feels special every time I get behind the wheel. Chassis handling is flat dynamic- and, yes- Sublime when pushed. In test driving a Quadrifoglio prior to this purchase my wife, who was in the front seat while in sort of the fetal position upon unleashing Dynamic mode muttered under breath that “no one needs a car like this” to whit I agreed, but added that it is the car that I will end up with eventually. The 2.0 is the “gateway drug” for now- to show her that I can behave, when needed. Near flawless in reliability- Viva la Alfa!!
I admit that the Alfa may be more engaging, but this review was over before it even started. This is supposed to be a head-to-head test, he spent 8 minutes talking about the Alfa, almost 4 min talking about the RS and then spent the last :45 talking about the Alfa. All the drive modes that he went on and on about for the Alfa concerning the suspension, transmission, engine, etc...the RS has the same settings. Not a mention of it, I have an RS5 sport back. I can tell he didn't even put it into Dynamic when he was driving the car. The car was too quiet in the video to be in Dynamic, which also locks the steering ratio to a fixed ratio and sends way more power to the rear, changes the the suspension settings and transmission shifting. Other reviews from different outlets have said the RS5 in dynamic doesn't have the typical understeer. Is the Alfa more engaging? It probably is, I have never driven one. I just wish they would have been more honest with their intentions on this. If it is an uphill battle against the Alfa because it is the car to beat in this segment, why spend so much time on the Alfa as a known entity when the RS5 SB is the relatively new unknown entity and has so many features that directly compare to the other car and not even mention them? Just my $.02. Another thing, he mentioned the co-development of the engine with Ferrari but the same was done with the RS engine with Porsche. Not mention of that either.
I have to laugh at these criticisms of the Alfa's interior. Everything feels and looks great - the infotainment system is just fine. Just for confirmation, I own the veloce model and I also have an RS model audi. The Alfa feels better in every conceivable way.
The interior definitely shouldn’t be the first point of consideration for these cars, but you can’t honestly think the Giulia’s interior is better? It’s missing any sense of tactility that is so common throughout the newer Audis.
Update on this now that I'm a couple of thousand miles into ownership. It has the typical "sounds like things might be a bit rattly) when going over particularly rough surfaces, of which we have lots and lots in the UK, our roads are SHIT) and there's a frequency related vibration that comes from the passenger door card when playing music with low bass tones (I'm a junglist and like my house and techno). Other than that, it's just as good as I've previously mentioned, and the door card thing can be fixed, I just can't be arsed.
After owning the giulia Q4 sport I fell in love with the alfa brand and looking this spring to swap it for the quadrifoglio, they really are the real deal for drivers cars.
@@petermawson2941 We bought the wheels as a deal with tyres already on them for a stupidly low price. They are AR spec Pirelli Sottozeros and they work well. Michelin Alpin would also be a good choice.
Material quality aside, I’d take the Giulia’s interior with the retro gauges and the screen integrated into the swoop of the dash. Can’t stand the Audi’s iPad stuck on the dash look.
Great review! One year into my Alfa Romeo Giulia QV ownership and I love every mile! The only real contender was this RS5 Sportback. I am in full agreement with your outcome. The Audi is very desirable but the Alfa is just that much more raw and driver-centric. Spot on!!
I drive a 4C and there’s something about this brand that really touches the driver’s senses. I don’t care if it breaks or not, all I care is the way it drives, it’s like an event. I have an almost spec 987 Cayman S and it feels sterile than my 4C except for the Cayman’s engine note. Not that the 4C engine note is bad, can compare the flat six with GT3 throttle bodies and exhaust. Alfa cars have this indescribable feeling when driving it, seems like a spirit of their legacy when they were once a powerful marque.
Why don't Alfa's sell if they are that good? It seems that car reviewers are out of touch with consumers. Car reviewers like cars that drift around corners whereas consumers like a nice interior and solid build quality and looks.
Al mac if you look at their sports car heritage; tipo 33, montreal, brera, 8c, and 4c....they are all flawed and not perfect. It’s the way they designed it similar to Ferrari’s Dino. Everyone hated it when it came out and now begin to understand after decades gone. For the Guilia, the interior for me is normal and not as luxurious as the German competitions. If you think the 4C can’t drift, you probably have not own one and not driven it hard. Cars that are easy to drive fast are linear in controls (like Porsches) and don’t give some to the driver to test their skill. These are what journalists are looking for, Porsche type controls that’s easy to drive fast with nice interior. Look at Ferrari, they no longer can keep up with the latest GT3s/GT2s that are easy to lap in track....and today’s Ferraris have nice interiors. The last GT3 that’s similar to any Italian rawness is the 996 GT3 RS. Now, German sports cars, are all easy to control and lacking the sports car rawness that was once used to be. Driving real Alfa sports cars is either you get it or not. For me I get it and love to drive in the weekends because 80mph feels like triple digit speed. So much feedback that it’s scary to push in the edge. That’s why I prefer the Cayman on the track because it’s so good to control making the driver feel like a pro. Alfa sports cars are not for everyone.
I think side by side, the Giulia makes the Audi look boring and is a design masterclass. Sure Audi and German cars look classy but they also look boring if you look deep enough because of the lack of curves. Add the driving experience of the Alfa and its a no brainer.
They sure know how to sell their cars and that alone is worth admiring. People usually look at German cars religiously, believing in their superiority on blind faith most of the time, that is why German cars are overrated and Alfa so underrated, no matter it has its own flaws.
@@theLEGOguy22 True. Just half a century they were in the same position as Alfa, now they sell over million cars a year while Alfa has only two relatively fresh cars and one 10 years old, selling just 50k a year. Very sad really.
@@BojanBojovic That's what happens when you buy the press, a german car magazine revealed who paid more for positive reviews among all the brands and the germans themselves were in first place.
@@andreamoroni97 Certainly, but that alone is the best example of how to sell your cars. Unfortunately Italians have problems at finishing their products, and y that I mean make them desirable for a regular (boring) people.
Alfa’s overall dash design is surely one of the few real strength’s interior-wise..?!? It’s the button quality feel that’s no match for an Audi. Not that I care, I’d buy the Alfa any day! (Lucky me it’ll be LHD which means: manual gearbox!)
The Hauke Let me add to the list. Had my Quadrifoglio since Nov 18 and still find an excuse to take it out as often as possible. Loved my e92 M3 and e39 M5 (little less my M2 that I traded for the Alfa) but the Quadrifoglio is in a league of it’s own. I totally understand people buying Audi, BMW and MB. They make great cars that look good on the driveway and do a perfectly good job of getting you to your destination, but every journey in the Alfa is a joy. I can’t see me changing anytime soon.
Spot on for the in depth analysis and kudos for the beautiful footage. Both cars are great but very different in character. I respect cold technology but I prefer warm technology. Thus, the Giulia Q is my choice.
I have driven the Alfa Romeo QV before & it’s by far the best 4-door sports sedan... very engaging & fun to drive... just puts a smile on my face every time i push the car to its limit!
Having owned BMW M cars, Merc AMG's in the past i can can say without a doubt the current Alfa giulia QF i own is the best in looks & driving experience
I was considering both these two cars but i decided to go with the Alpha,And boy am i pleased i did this car is the nuts,mind you i live in the UK,and if i lived in Canada in the snow im not sure,but the Alpha is in a league of its own.
Best money spend on my QV the Giorgio platform is just amazing and I believe this will be the last hurrah for Alfa Romeo engine's before PSA takes over
That's the first question that popped into my head after I heard rumours that Alfa & Maserati are seen as a liability and could be sold off should the FCA/PSA merge succeed!
That is easy. It´s just because all the boring people who don´t care about if a car is engaging or not are in such a great majority. They rather have an Audi on their driveway because that will give them a better status symbol. Of course it will not help that italian cars have been written down for the last 30 years. That has really cemented a bad reputation.
The answer is that there aren’t enough people that just want a drivers car people want a package whilst the Audi isn’t as good for driving it’s seen as better total package if Alfa could improve their tech and interior it would be magic and be a real game changer
I agree with your verdict, didn't drive the RS4 dit drive the M3 and C63, that's also the same story. lovely car but 'clinical' . Yes, you can't compete with the giulia if it comes to interior feel quality (just like the BMW) I do think the blending in of the screen is really nice. I think on a long term the Mercedes and Audi will be considered outdated much earlier with the big on dashboard screen. I still love my Quadrifoglio every day.
Cracking review! You are so right when you say that absolute performance means little - it's all about the feel and the fun. Whenever I see 5th gear et al do a 'drag race' test with some has-been racing driver at the wheel I turn off.
I have an RS5 sportback and agree with what you say. The Alfa was a close contender but for what I wanted (I confess safely, lack of depreciation, interior quality etc) the Audi is better. I should add that I’ve been lucky enough to own 3 Porsche 911S so perhaps just wanted something a little more mainstream, less out and out sports saloon. I also wanted something I could get my race bike in without taking the wheel off and something my wife felt liked too.The Alfa is, I accept, the car for real enthusiast but I’m delighted with the RS5, very quick, comfortable, beautifully made and unlikely to break down 😆
Talking about breakdown and reliability... watch this video from a guy who have a Giulia Q and Porsche...😉😉 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hpKoJHgMz9I.html
Love my Quadrifoglio! Have had it for over a year now with no issues. Trickle charger is recommended because this is really not a daily driver! (Smile)
...Just some doubts about the gearbox comments. The RS5 didn't have dual clutch. Did Audi ended up adding a DCT as an option? I've also read something about the RS5 being criticized for using a torque converter automatic gearbox. Anyway, I believe the RS5 just uses a similar ZF than the one we find in the Alfa Romeo. Also worth mentioning, that crispy gear changes are usually easy to achieve with single clutch sequential gearboxes. Duals have the tendency to smoother transitions - buttering their way between shifts. Yes, there are lots of good exceptions in the usual super sport cars, but the fact remains: The fastest gearboxes of all, are the single clutch we find in F1.
I’ve driven both and while the Alfa engine feels a little more engaging on dry roads the RS5 beats in every other respect. No contest on wet and the Alfa feels like they put all their cards on the engine and went cheap in every other respect. My friend who owns the Alfa regrets the purchase as there have been many irritating issues.
I can understand the complaint about materials, but the design? The giulia interior design is simple and elegant. It doesn't have a stupid tablet sitting on the dash and the analog speedometer means that it won't look dated in 5 years like the screens. Just think of how GPS screens from not that long ago look.
Exactly, all those softwares look outdated in a couple of years, the design of the car itself is what really matters and that's why the 159 still looks gorgeous today.
Get with it , it’s not about interior. The Alfa interior to me looks more driver focused, I don’t buy a car to touch the nobs I buy it for the reason that it makes you feel good , wanna drive the car not play with nobs.
For my money, it would have to be the Audi rs5 Sportback all the way. I live in a mountainous area and we get snow in the winter. I'm spending that amount of money on one car, I'd have to have the awd of the rs5.
I have been wanting an Alfa Romeo Quad but I can't seem to find any good deals on a new one. A beautiful amazing car to drive but I still think the brand still needs time to mature in the USA in order to get better pricing.
For a daily driver, I’d rather have the Audi. Looks better inside and out, has Quattro, and will probably outlast the Alfa. No reason to pay 60k+ for a car with the interior of a 30k car. That’s not right.
The Audi will be the more reliable car so that alone, for me, means that the Audi wins this contest. If you are judging them on just speed and this tacky "engaging" thing, than the Alfa would win. I'll take the Audi.
Audi will be more reliable... ho my fucking god! Since when Audi is reliable? The judgement who guys like this does is so ridiculous! If you care about a unique driving experince get the Alfa, if you care about gadgets and a boring safety driving get the Audi... is that simple! 😉
I didn’t hear you speak of the dynamic mode and being able to customise the vehicle’s suspension, engine, steering etc in the RS5. You couldn’t have been driving the RS5 in dynamic mode because I would hear that exhaust note come alive when you drove and that “steering” wouldn’t feel so dull as you say. Sounds like you were in comfort mode. If Audi is so bad, why don’t I see more Alphas? Audi 200kg heavier, 60hp less and a difference of almost 40mph on the top end unless you got the Dynamic Plus Package which gives 174. Apples and oranges. And what’s this 0-60 vs 0-62 bullshit?
A one-tricl pony Alfa? No thanks. I don't own a race track. I'd take the Audi for daily comfort, reliability and all-weather grip. Plus better resale value too.
if you're gonna get a sportback A5, just get the 2.0 diesel. it's meant to be a nice interior, nice shape, practical A to B. The cheapest model and the RS model are pretty much the same in that aspect
Really? You are part of a very small club when it comes to the RS5’s performance. Old thinking re steering engagement and Audi have improved this area dramatically. Might give your subscription a miss. I own the Alfa and wife has RS5. Not that big a gap considering Quattro.
I own a Giulia Veloce Ti Q4, comparable to S5 Sportback. Driving is way better, and the interior nothing to complain (the infotainment is the same that had BMW in 2014-16, for me it works fair enough). Anyway, both machines are amazing!
