2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Overview

The gorgeous Giulia Quadrifoglio seduces the soul and sears the senses with a beautiful balance of aggression and finesse. Alfa flaunts its racing pedigree with the four-leaf-clover badge displayed on the Giulia’s shapely flanks. Its Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V-6 sings a sinister tune as it belts out 505 hp. Its communicative chassis can conquer a race course or coolly traverse the tarmac without commotion. An excellent eight-speed automatic transmission is standard; sadly, there's no manual gearbox. Alfa's past reliability issues remain an unknown quantity. Still, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is an exotic sports sedan that sets a new benchmark for the genre—which is why it made our list of 10Best Cars for 2018.

What's New for 2017?

Following Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S. market, which was led by sports cars like the 4C coupe, the company released the Giulia sedan. At the same time, Alfa unleashed the Giulia’s white-hot Quadrifoglio counterpart on hi-po competitors such as the BMW M3, the Cadillac ATS-V, and the Mercedes-AMG C63. And the track-tuned Giulia Quadrifoglio proved its mettle by setting a record as the fastest sedan to lap the famous Nürburgring.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Implanted with a rhapsodic twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 and an exquisitely calibrated eight-speed automatic, the rear-drive-only Giulia Quadrifoglio is a riot to pilot. The Italian-built, Ferrari-derived engine makes 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque as it produces a spine-tingling timbre that shames most rivals. Too bad a manual transmission isn’t available on the U.S. version. In testing, the Quadrifoglio hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, bridged 50 to 70 mph in 2.9 ticks, and finished the quarter-mile in less than 12 seconds—impressive for any car. Its engine makes hair-raising music and facilitates face-melting acceleration. But the main attraction is a multifaceted chassis that is the new benchmark for high-performance sedans. While we were surprised at the Alfa’s capability on the track, its docile damping and civilized ride during daily driving were equally remarkable.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s cosmopolitan interior successfully incorporates race inspiration and rich influence. The cabin is composed of leather surfaces and faux-suede accents, but some cheap plastics and cumbersome access points are reductive. The attractive front seats are supportive without being restrictive. A pair of racing-oriented Recaro buckets are available, but they lack the power adjustments and heating elements of the standard set. The flowing dashboard and circular design scheme carry over from the regular Giulia, but the Quadrifoglio adds copious carbon-fiber trim. It’s hard to criticize a car that looks so good and drives so well, but the Alfa has limited interior cubby space, and its cargo room is compromised by a back seat that doesn’t fold down.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Despite an unconventional appearance, the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s standard 8.8-inch infotainment screen is easy to operate and responsive to inputs. Although Alfa’s system includes an impressive array of features, popular options such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a mobile hotspot are missing for 2017. While the interface is straightforward, the deep menu system will require familiarity. Still, Alfa’s system has a wealth of features and customization opportunities. A Harman Kardon premium audio system is the lone option.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.