Besides the color, I was immediately drawn to the wheels. It came equipped with my all-time favorite Alfa Romeo wheels – the 5-holes, which were finished in a sleek black with machined faces. These wheels really make a statement, giving the car an aggressive look that’s hard to ignore, with the large red brake calipers in full view.

Let’s talk about the driving dynamics first, because that is where this car truly shines. The Giulia is flat-out fun to drive. Alfa gave it a 280-hp turbo charged engine, with a smooth 8-speed transmission (paddles included), and has tuned the chassis and steering to feel incredibly responsive and nimble. Honestly, it drives like a go-kart with four doors. (Having spent some time behind the wheel of the 4C, I do know what an actual go-kart Alfa feels like!)

As a busy mom and business owner with a lot on my plate, I appreciate a car that’s not just fun to drive, but also practical and easy to use. So, I decided to put the Giulia to the test – I used it to run all my everyday errands and handle my family’s busy schedule. I wanted to see how it would hold up to the chaos of real life. The four-door setup was practical, although not overly roomy, and the Giulia handled the ‘daily grind’ aspects of family life without issue.

The front of the car is where the Alfa Romeo design really stands out. The aggressive and unmistakable grille is just amazing. The rear has a good look to it also, and I am huge fan of the Alfa Romeo logo in full color everywhere possible!

Inside the car, the dashboard and center console is well laid out and pretty plain, but not in a bad way. In the age of car makers tossing an iPad onto the top of the dash, I really appreciate how well Alfa integrated the screen smoothly into the contoured lines of the Giulia’s interior. Everything is simple, clean and has an upscale, not flashy, feel. The floor-mounted pedals carry on the race-inspiration as does the push button start on the steering wheel.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Q4 is a great choice for someone who wants a car that’s practical for everyday use, but still exciting to drive and unique looking on the road. It’s a great option for people who don’t want to give up the joy of driving just because they need a practical car. It’s a car that can handle the daily commute and family duties with ease, but will also put a smile on your face when you’re behind the wheel.

My loaner arrived with 9,973 miles on the dash and I handed the keys back at 10,196. Over those 223 miles, it proved to be an incredibly capable daily driver. Dressed in a stunning teal-ish green that the brand officially calls Verde Fangio Metallic, the color is phenomenal in the sun, and the overall styling is aggressive enough to stand out on the roads, yet perfectly tailored for a put together look.

In fact, the Tonale absolutely holds its own in the opulence department. At the mall I found some European friends parked at Saks Fifth Avenue, so jumped in line right next to a sleek black Ferrari and a custom pink-wrapped Mercedes. Even in that kind of high-dollar company, the Alfa’s Italian heritage and striking front fascia commanded attention. It looked like it belonged right there in the VIP section, drawing looks for all the right reasons without having to try too hard.

Moving inside, the cockpit offers some genuine treats for the driver. I absolutely love that the start/stop button is located right on the steering wheel—a clearly race-inspired touch that immediately sets a sporty tone. Another fantastic design detail is the illuminated dash trim. During the day, it looks like a clean silver mesh, but when the lights come on at night, it glows with a cool red illumination that integrates the Alfa Romeo logo. It’s a sophisticated piece of interior theater that I never got tired of seeing.

That said, the cabin is a bit of a mixed bag. While those driver-focused elements are great, the rest of the interior leans toward the basic and functional side. It features the somewhat typical, “tacked-on” media screen rising from the center stack, which is not my favorite configuration. It’s practical, sure, but it feels a step behind the innovative design seen elsewhere on the car.

Speaking of my Mopar roots, I found a fun little Easter egg while admiring the exterior. If you peek through those classic Alfa Romeo five-hole wheels at the bright red calipers, you’ll spot the Mopar logo stamped right on the brake pads! It’s a cool little nod to the Stellantis family tree that definitely made me smile.

Under the hood, this specific model was running the 1.3L turbocharged PHEV powertrain. If you think a 1.3-liter engine sounds a little too tame, think again. With the hybrid system pushing 285 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque, it is surprisingly peppy. It has a spirited, sporty dynamic that makes taking corners and merging onto the highway genuinely fun rather than a chore. Even with a heavier foot in city traffic, I averaged 28.3 mpg during my week with it, which tracks perfectly alongside the official 29 mpg combined rating.

Overall, the Tonale is a fantastic balance of striking European aesthetics and punchy, practical performance. It’s an ideal option for someone who wants something a little unique, needs crossover versatility but refuses to give up a fun, engaging driving experience.

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