2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce (car review)

We’re not going to sugar coat it or throw punches; the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce is sex on wheels. What makes this statement more interesting is the fact that you cannot isolate its appeal to just one thing.

The Alfa Red paintwork is lipstick-like, the contours and iconic V-shaped hood exude powerful performance, the leather sports seats embrace you in a warm but firm embrace. What’s not to love. Let’s face it: the exterior is classic, Italian and hard to ignore.

The fully automatic adaptive matrix LED headlights are tastefully etched into the soft corners. Enough whining, just know that it looks like this, which will make pedestrians do a double take when they look at the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce.

Completing the package are 5-hole sport design rims wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber and red brake calipers. Privacy glass for the rear windows and rear window add a nice touch, as do the gloss black exterior mirrors.

The rear of the Giulia Veloce is also a thing of beauty, with lush yet subtle curves spanning the tailgate. Here you’ll find LED taillights and a hidden reversing camera, as well as dual exhaust tips.

Inside you will find beautiful and tasteful design, comfort and lots of luxurious leather. Add a touch of real aluminum finish and there’s plenty to enjoy. We found the leather sports seats really supportive, both with power adjustment and lumbar support.

The generous technology features start with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is customizable to personal preference. Then there’s the 8.8-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash, which has stunning resolution and clarity.

It also presents a wider version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, it’s not the wireless variant, so a cable connection in the center console will get you there. Fortunately, USB-C and USB-A are available (also on the back). There is wireless charging.

The highlight for us is the panoramic double-glazed sunroof. Opening the front and rear fabric upholstery fills the cabin with natural light and enhances the overall driving experience. It’s an optional extra, but definitely worth it.

Notable features include aluminum sports pedals and trim inserts, and sufficiently large and centrally located cup holders. Storage space in the doors is not big enough for a larger water bottle. Apart from that, the sound system is quite new, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon setup.

In terms of safety, you’ll find a ton of driver aids, including lane keeping assistance, active blind spot monitoring, parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The latter is quite accurate on the road and works really well with the lane assistant and traffic jam assistant.

If you need to cruise around with a few small children, you’ll also find ISOFIX anchor points on the outboard rear seats. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, which is routed to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

It generates up to 206 kW of power and no less than 400 Nm of torque. Alfa Romeo claims 6.1 litres/100km, although we were only able to achieve 8.4 litres/100km (although we did do a lot of spirited driving).

Thanks to the torque, the Giulia Veloce is ready to move at the touch of a pedal. The suspension is good when accelerating through corners and has good grip on the road. Manual shifting is great fun and brings the engine to life.

If you’re like us, spooling up the turbo is just music to your ears. Alpha DNA creates changing personalities. D tightens the steering and braking system and stiffens the suspension; N is more neutral; A improves energy savings.

We found the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce to be a beautiful machine on the street, and a luxurious and comfortable ride to drive. A real eye-catcher, it is available in Alfa White, Alfa Red, Vesuvio Grey, Vulcano Black, Misano Blue, Etna Red and Moonlight Grey.

You can pick one up for $84,699 drive-away, with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance. Check out their website for more information, and if you’d like one and need financing, contact CreditOne.

Our test vehicle was provided by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia. For more information about the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce, contact your local Alfa Romeo dealer.