by Thanos Pappas
PROS ›› Distinctive design, practical cabin, comfortable ride CONS ›› Light steering, mixed materials, pricey entry
Alfa Romeo has long searched for a volume seller, the kind of model that could keep the brand thriving in an increasingly competitive market. The Tonale compact SUV was never going to carry that burden on its own, while the aging Giulia and Stelvio slipped quietly into the background without reaching the sales numbers the Italian brand had hoped for.
As part of a broader reshuffle, the Stellantis-owned marque is now placing its hopes on a subcompact SUV, entering Europe’s most popular segment.
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The Alfa Romeo Junior, briefly (and controversially) named the Milano, arrived in 2024 with both mild-hybrid and fully electric powertrains. We recently tested the Junior Ibrida, the mild-hybrid version, to see whether it can meet the expectations of Alfisti and, more importantly, help secure the company’s future with stronger sales.
Alfa’s first small SUV is positioned as the spiritual successor to the long-gone MiTo hatchback, while sharing its underpinnings with Stellantis siblings like the Fiat 600, Jeep Avenger, Opel Mokka, and Peugeot 2008. Our test car was the entry-level Junior Ibrida, the version likely to attract more customers than the flagship Junior Veloce EV. For those who want something in between, the Ibrida Q4 offers a stronger mild-hybrid setup and all-wheel drive.
Looking Like A True Alfa
Designing an Alfa Romeo is both a blessing and a challenge, given the brand’s heritage. The Junior is the first production model to debut the company’s updated styling language under Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, formerly of Seat, and this new look will gradually be adopted by the Italian brand’s entire lineup.
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Among the highlights is the new Scudetto grille which integrates the graphics of the Alfa Romeo emblem and is shorter, allowing the company to ditch the offset positioning of the front licence plate as dictated by pedestrian safety regulations.
I’ll admit that my first impression of the Junior was not entirely positive. I am not a fan of the over-complex styling features on its nose and some other details like the rising beltline that resembles the Peugeot 2008 to the untrained eye. Still, I have to admit that the Italian SUV looks more special from up close, as you get to explore the muscular curves of the hood, the sporty bumper intakes, and the way the rear glass frame highlights the rear shoulders.I would still prefer a cleaner and more minimalist approach for the LEDs and front graphics – more aking to the Tonale. Yet there’s no denying the Junior stands out from the small SUV crowd, looking more exotic than most of its rivals, including all of its Stellantis stablemates.
Our press car is the Speciale trim which rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with a three-spoke design and features red accents on the side skirts and the rear diffuser. This example also comes with the optional bi-tone livery combining a silver bodywork with a black roof.
Sporty and Modern, But Not Quite Premium Interior
Moving inside, the dashboard looks fairly modern with a sharp 10.1-inch infotainment inclined towards the driver and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that retains the binocular shape from the analogue era. Ergonomics are good, and the presence of physical controls on the center console and the steering wheel helps the overall experience. The ambient lighting is a nice touch, it has a comprehensive list of ADAS, while the six-speaker audio system certainly punches above its weight.
While the touch points are covered by a slightly softer textile, most of the cabin is fitted with hard plastics that take away points from the premium design. Fortunately, it is more practical than you would expect, offering adequate space for rear passengers and a generous cargo capacity of 415 lt (14.7 cubic feet). Drawbacks include the absence of rear A/C vents, which is a common omissions in this segment, and the lack of rear door pockets. This limits rear passenger amenities to a single USB port and electric windows.
Driving Experience
And that leads us to the driving experience which is one of the key areas for Alfa Romeo buyers alongside the design.
The base Junior Ibrida we tested is powered by a turbo 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) that is widely used in the Stellantis stable. The mill is joined by a 28 hp (21 kW / 29 PS) electric motor which is mounted in the standard six-speed dual-clutch automatic (no manual option) sending power to the front wheels. The mild-hybrid setup helps the small engine feel slightly punchier, filling in the gaps when needed while prolonging the duration of start-stop system for greater efficiency.
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Unfortunately, the steering wheel is too light and lacks the feedback you’d expect from a driver-oriented brand like Alfa Romeo. On the other hand, the suspension setup is well-judged, being stiffer than your average SUV without making it uncomfortable.
Overall, the Junior is nimble and easy to drive around the city, and also proved to be a quiet cruiser on the highway. However, despite having some distinct features over the closely-related Stellantis SUVs, it is not as exciting to drive as the rival Ford Puma, at least in base configuration.
It is worth noting that the Junior Ibrida Q4 trim has a more potent powertrain, all-wheel-drive capability, and a multi-link rear suspension that should improve the experience. As for the fully electric Junior Veloce with the full 278 hp (207 kW / 280 PS), this has a different steering ratio and a unique suspension setup, serving as the performance flagship of the lineup. Still, we can only have a verdict when we drive those two.
