CONS ›› Slow, poor engine and transmission, feels cheap
We can all agree that Alfa Romeo is a master of design. Over the decades, the Italian company has penned some incredible-looking cars, but often, the appeal of its cheaper vehicles drops once you get behind the wheel.
Launching into a market dominated by vehicles like the Hyundai Kona, Jeep Avenger, Lexus LBX, Audi Q2, and others, the Alfa Romeo Junior cannot rely solely on its striking looks to succeed. It has to drive well and make financial sense.
So does it do that? To find out, we recently tested the mild-hybrid version of the Junior, known as the Ibrida, for a week. In many ways, we found it to be a matter of style over substance.
QUICK FACTS
› Model:2026 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida› Starting Price:AU$45,900 (US$32,000)› Dimensions:164.2 x 70.1 W x 60.3 in H (4,173 x 1,781 x 1,533 mm)› Wheelbase:100.9 in (2,562 mm)› Curb Weight:1,545 kg (3,406 lbs)› Powertrain:1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder hybrid› Output:143 hp (107 kW) / 170 lb-ft (230 Nm)› 0-62 mph8.9 seconds› Transmission:Six-speed dual-clutch› Efficiency:4.1 l/100 km (57.3 US mpg)› On Sale:Now SWIPEPhotos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
When it was first launched in April 2024, the Alfa Romeo Junior was briefly known as the Milano. However, the Italian government quickly expressed disapproval of the name, noting that calling it the Milano was actually illegal, as it’s built in Poland, not Italy. A couple of days later, Alfa Romeo renamed it the Junior.
This pint-sized SUV is an important model for the Italian brand. The all-electric version, known as the Elettrica, is the company’s first-ever EV. Those not interested in owning an EV can also purchase the mild-hybrid Junior Ibrida. In Australia, the hybrid model significantly undercuts the EV, starting at AU$45,900 (US$32,000) plus on-road costs, well under the AU$57,900 (US$40,300) starting price of the Elettrica.
The hybrid model relies on a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine rated at a rather disappointing 100 kW (134 hp) and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft). of torque. A small electric motor increases combined power up to 107 kW (143 hp). Working alongside the 1.2-liter engine is a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels.
A Fresh But Cheap Cabin
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
There’s no denying the Junior’s cabin has plenty of character, although it does not feel as premium as something like a Lexus LBX.
As you’d expect from a modern Alfa Romeo, the digital gauge cluster is covered by a lovely curvaceous shroud, giving the cockpit a slightly retro feel, which I really appreciated. After all, so many cars nowadays have small screens for the cluster and then a bare dashboard, which isn’t particularly interesting.
Elsewhere, the steering wheel is trimmed in lovely soft-touch black leather and fitted into the center of the dashboard is a 10.25-inch infotainment display. This screen is a little smaller than some SUVs in this class, but it suits the overall design of the interior very well.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The software used is familiar to other Stellantis products, though not as comprehensive or as intuitive as what you’ll find in a Jeep, for example. The vehicle we tested also had a rather bizarre quirk. If I entered the settings menu, there was no back button to bring me back to the home screen, nor any shortcut to re-open Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As a result, if I opened the settings, I was only able to return to the main menu by turning the Alfa off and then back on.
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This being an Alfa Romeo, the quirks didn’t stop there. On multiple occasions when I hopped into the driver’s seat, the car failed to detect the key, even though it was in my hand. I also found it rather odd that rather than simply pressing the engine Start/Stop switch to turn the Junior on or off, as with pretty much every other car on the market, you have to hold down the Start/Stop button for a few seconds. Not a big issue, of course, but it’s odd.
There are plenty of small design touches I appreciated. For example, I liked the small, circular tweeter speakers poking out from the A-pillars, as well as the round air vents that incorporate illuminated logos that change color depending on the ambient lighting settings. The sporty seats with red stripes and a massage function for the driver were also a nice touch.
Alfa Romeo deserves applause for keeping the Junior’s cabin full of buttons, including loads of climate-control toggles positioned directly under the central screen. Visibility is good too, and from behind the wheel, the Alfa has a sense of sportiness which isn’t present in all of its competitors.
The rear seats are tight, particularly headroom, not that this comes as any surprise given the Junior’s compact dimensions. The rear isn’t well-suited for adults, but it will be just fine for… juniors. Working in the Junior’s favor is the fact that rear cargo space is quite respectable at 415 liters (14.6 cubic feet) with the second-row seats in place.
How Does It Drive?
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Alfa Romeos have always been characterful to drive, and the Junior is no different. However, it lacks some of the class and refinement of its competitors and will mostly appeal to those who are willing to sacrifice some sophistication for style.
The Junior Ibrida’s less desirable traits can be traced back to the powertrain. Small-capacity three-cylinder engines tend to feel a little strained under power, and Alfa Romeo’s 1.2-liter unit is no different. It feels a little rough, and the hybrid set-up didn’t smooth things out as much as I would have liked. The transmission from all-electric power at low speeds to combustion power can also be a little abrupt.
The six-speed dual-clutch transmission also leaves a little to be desired. Even though the Junior is new, the DCT feels like something you’d expect to find in a 10-year-old car. At low speeds it’s jerky, and I’m sure that if Alfa Romeo had invested more time and money into the transmission, it could have been improved.
Read: Alfa Romeo Says Oops, Junior Veloce EV Makes 278 HP Not 237 HP
Outright performance is nothing to write home about, with the run to 100 km/h (62 mph) taking 8.9 seconds. However, it is adequate for everyday motoring.
Despite the powertrain’s quirks, especially at low speeds, the Junior Ibrida does have plenty going for it. Alfa Romeo knows a thing or two about perfecting the steering feel of a vehicle, as it’s done with the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models. It’s done the same with its baby SUV, helping it feel nimble and light on its feet, while still offering plenty of feedback as to what’s going on under the front wheels.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The SUV’s suspension setup supports its dynamic handling credentials. Those seeking an ultra-premium, plush ride may be disappointed, as that’s not what the Junior delivers. Instead, it is moderately firm but is far from harsh. The ride gives the Alfa Romeo a sense of surety on the road, doing a solid job of keeping roll and excess body movements in check.
The Junior comes with plenty of safety systems. These include an active lane centering system with traffic jam assist and radar cruise control. This set-up works relatively well, although there were a few occasions when the Alfa lost sight of clearly marked lines, forcing me to take over control.
Like so many other new cars, it also includes a speed limit warning system that’ll ring every time you exceed the speed limit, even by only 2 km/h (1 mph) for a couple of seconds. Fortunately, the subtle tone emitted as a warning isn’t as annoying as some of the loud beeps from other vehicles with similar warning systems.
Verdict
Jeremy Clarkson once famously said you’re not a proper petrolhead unless you’ve owned an Alfa Romeo. While I don’t agree with him on that, there’s no denying that cars from the Italian brand have a unique charm that makes them stand out from the competition.
The mild-hybrid Junior is probably as far removed as imaginable from the Alfa Romeos that Clarkson has fawned over for decades, yet it still retains some of that familiar Alfa Romeo DNA. The rational thinkers among us will probably realize that for the money, there are better options out there, particularly if you need a vehicle that you can drive and rely on day after day. But for emotional thinkers, the Junior delivers something unique in what is oftentimes a cookie-cutter class.