2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The first thing you notice about the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan is the fast and direct steering. It's so responsive that it can be quite unnerving at first. We've grown so accustomed to lifeless electric steering that it's a shock to the system to drive a car that darts so effortlessly. This is not the kind of car that allows you to quickly glance down at your phone, because the smallest movement on the steering wheel could easily lead to a lane change.

我n terms of traction, the rear-end can step out quite easily if the driver is too aggressive with the throttle. Even the all-wheel-drive model is rear-biased and will do the same. Luckily, there are safety nannies that will intervene and save the day. It's a good thing the braking system is so powerful, having no trouble reigning it back in if you get a tad overzealous.

Being more sporty in its setup, the Alfa may be too firm for some. We think it's a worthy trade for the amount of fun it ultimately provides. If you're the kind of person who wants every trip to be an adventure, this is the car for you. If, however, you want a sensory deprivation tank that places comfort above all else, you'd be a lot better off opting for an Audi A4, or BMW 3 Series.

我n this segment, the game is particularly tough because you have competitors like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, and Audi A4. They all offer more or less the same thing: five seats, a plush interior, and decent, predictable handling. Exactly what you'd expect from cars hailing from Germany where cars are developed over a seven-year lifecycle, and every part is triple-checked before they leave the factory floor.

The Italian car was not developed this way. You can tell just from where the side pillar is located that it follows a form-over-function philosophy. Yes, the rear legroom is compromised, but have you seen how great it looks? The same is true of the interior. It's a bit shoddy in certain places, but beautiful to look at.

And then we get to the way it drives. It's not as comfortable or compliant as its main rivals thanks to its firm suspension setup, but then you drive it and it makes sense. If you want a comfortable, sensible, efficient, quiet, and brisk car, get any one of the German rivals. But if you're after a driving experience that will thrill you every time you get behind the wheel, you should definitely try one of these before you buy.

The Audi A4 is a fantastic all-round car. It offers a more comfortable, compliant ride, and the interior is a cut above the rest of its rivals in the US. This has always been Audi's forte. Its infotainment system is one generation ahead of its competitors. The virtual cockpit is magnificent because it allows you to control almost everything from the instrument binnacle, which means your eyes never leave the road for more than a split second.

Oddly, the Italian is a bit more practical. The Alfa's front legroom (42.4 inches) and headroom (38.6 Inches) is more than the Audi's 41.3 inches and 37.3 inches respectively. The Alfa's rear legroom is just 0.6 inches shorter than the Audi, so it is a practical sedan. It's just the small door opening, but once you're inside, it's all good. The Alfa even has a slightly bigger trunk.

我t's an obvious choice in this segment, but for good reason. It does everything well, and it beats the Alfa in a number of ways, but for those who want to enjoy driving, the Alfa ekes ahead when it comes to the fun factor.

Speaking of fun factor, it's worth noting that Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged four is available in two outputs. The lesser engine only develops 201 hp, but the high output 45 offers 261 horses. The Audi is outgunned on both fronts by the Alfa in this comparison.

According to historical reviews, the 3 Series used to be the most prolific competitor in this segment, but over the years it has grown in every direction. Where it used to be aimed at enthusiastic drivers, it now offers a more rounded driving experience, with a bias towards comfort. It can still hustle down the road at an alarming pace, but thanks to its lifeless electric steering, it's no longer as fun as it used to be. This does, however, translate into a more refined highway experience. It also makes better use of the space it has available with better ergonomics, beating the Alfa in the practicality stakes. Furthermore, the BMW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder only packs a 255-hp punch, yet it manages to accelerate nearly as hard as the Alfa while using less fuel. BMW also avails a six-cylinder that leaves the Giulia for dead, albeit at a higher price.

Objectively, the BMW is the better car. Add emotion into the mix, however, and the Alfa comes out tops as a car that actually excites you and makes you want to drive. But in every other way, the BMW is a few steps ahead.