First Drive: Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida

News.com.au

3 days ago

If the Alfa Romeo Junior was a person, it'd be the effortlessly stylish Italian who strolls into brunch in head-to-toe linen, Gucci sunglasses with an espresso in hand.
Chic and charismatic.
Originally launched in Europe as the 'Milano', the name didn't last long. Italian government officials pointed out that the car was built in Poland and so couldn't legally carry an Italian city name.
A quick rebrand and a nod to a classic Alfa from the 60s, the Junior was born.
But the Junior doesn't feel nostalgic, sure, there are parts that feel Alfa, but if anything the Junior feels designed for a new generation of buyers. One that's younger, more urban and style-conscious.
Arriving mid 2025, the Junior will be Alfa Romeo's first model offered with both electric (Elettrica) and mild-hybrid (Ibrida) powertrains from launch.
It also marks Alfa's most affordable model in years, expected to be below $50,000.
But even at the entry point, it's positioned slightly above the more mainstream compact SUVs, targeting drivers who are willing to spend a little more for a car that feels a little more premium.
This is where the Junior shines.
This is a car for buyers who want their SUV to be a statement, with its gloss black body kit, diamond-cut alloy wheels, signature LED matrix headlights and bold two-tone colour options, the Junior feels more like a fashion accessory than a family SUV.
The Ibrida variant I tested on Spanish highways pairs a turbocharged 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt electrical system.
It delivers 100kW to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and thanks to a small e-motor the car can cruise in electric-only power.
The drive felt composed and refined but a proper dynamic test on Australian roads is needed to comment further on driving dynamics.
With a 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, the numbers aren't anything to get excited about.
But while it may not have the grunt, a spicer Junior Elettrica 'Veloce' version is coming soon with 207kW and 345Nm.
Inside the cabin is distinctively Alfa, there's thoughtful tech, sporty touches, dual 10.25-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, cloverleaf AC vents and the 'Spiga' seats as standard (optional in other markets).
While the cabin is stylish, the materials black cloth/leatherette seats and finishes fall just short of feeling luxurious.
One design detail worth noting is the central screen, which is slightly slanted towards the driver, while it's meant to create a cockpit-like feel, I found it a little distracting, especially if your passenger leans over to change a setting. The interior space is reasonable, on a short trip, we managed to squeeze three adults and luggage, it took a bit of shuffling but it fit. The boot's adjustable floor came in handy however the rear space did feel tight, even for someone of my petite frame.
There's also plenty of safety features including adaptive cruise control, AEB, lane-centering assist, reverse camera, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition.
The Junior is already performing well in Europe, since its debut in late 2024 with Alfa Romeo taking more than 27,000 orders across 38 countries. As of early 2025, it's the brand's best selling model and has helped Alfa lift its overall sales in Europe.
But how the Junior will perform in Australia is a much bigger question.
Here it's not just fighting for attention with familiar brands like Volkswagen, Mazda and Lexus but the real threat comes from brands like BYD and MG, which continue to offer buyers luxury and hi-tech options at prices that make premium badges worried.