Everything Alfa Romeo Needed and Nothing Alfisti Wanted: The Junior SUV Review

Alfa Romeo has always been a brand that dances to its own rhythm—passionate, unpredictable, and unapologetically Italian. For decades, it has catered to a niche of enthusiasts known as Alfisti, who crave soul-stirring design, razor-sharp handling, and a touch of mechanical madness. But with the launch of the new Alfa Romeo Junior, the brand seems to be singing a different tune—one aimed at mass-market appeal rather than emotional resonance. The result? A car that ticks all the corporate boxes but leaves the hearts of purists unrevved.

🚙 The Junior: Alfa’s Strategic Pivot

The Alfa Romeo Junior, formerly and controversially named the Milano, is the brand’s first foray into the subcompact SUV segment. It’s a strategic move by Stellantis, Alfa’s parent company, to tap into Europe’s hottest automotive category. With the Tonale not quite delivering the sales punch Alfa hoped for, and the Giulia and Stelvio aging quietly in the background, the Junior is positioned as the volume seller Alfa desperately needs.

Available in both mild-hybrid and fully electric versions, the Junior is built on a shared Stellantis platform, alongside siblings like the Fiat 600, Jeep Avenger, and Peugeot 2008. Our test model, the Junior Ibrida, is the entry-level mild-hybrid variant, likely to be the most popular among buyers.

🧠 Rational Design, Emotional Disconnect

From a design standpoint, the Junior is undeniably distinctive. It debuts Alfa’s updated styling language under Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, formerly of SEAT. The new Scudetto grille integrates the Alfa emblem graphics and ditches the offset license plate positioning, a nod to pedestrian safety regulations.

Up close, the Junior reveals muscular curves, sporty bumper intakes, and a rear glass frame that accentuates its shoulders. The Speciale trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels and red accents, with an optional bi-tone livery that gives it a more upscale look. But while the Junior stands out from the crowd, it also borrows heavily from its Stellantis cousins—especially the Peugeot 2008, which some might mistake it for at a glance.

For Alfisti, this is where the disappointment begins. The Junior lacks the purity and elegance of classic Alfa designs. It’s busy, overstyled, and feels more like a committee-approved product than a designer’s passion project.

🛋️ Interior: Practical, But Not Poetic

Inside, the Junior offers a modern dashboard with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen angled toward the driver and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Ergonomics are solid, and physical controls on the center console and steering wheel are a welcome touch. Ambient lighting adds a premium feel, and the cabin is surprisingly spacious for a subcompact SUV.

However, the materials are a mixed bag. Soft-touch surfaces coexist with cheaper plastics, and while the layout is functional, it lacks the flair and drama that Alfa interiors are known for. It’s practical, yes—but it doesn’t make you want to sit in it just for the joy of being surrounded by Italian design.

⚙️ Performance: Mild-Hybrid, Mild Emotions

Under the hood, the Junior Ibrida features a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. It produces 134 hp and 230 Nm of torque, with an additional 28 hp from the electric motor. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes 8.9 seconds, and top speed is 206 km/h.

On paper, these numbers are respectable. On the road, the Junior feels competent but uninspiring. The steering is light, the ride is comfortable, and the dual-clutch transmission is smooth. But there’s no sense of urgency, no visceral thrill—none of the traits that made Alfa Romeo a cult favorite among driving enthusiasts.

For those seeking more punch, the Ibrida Q4 offers all-wheel drive and a stronger hybrid setup, while the Junior Veloce EV promises sharper dynamics. But even these variants may struggle to recapture the raw emotion of Alfa’s past.

🧭 A Brand at a Crossroads

The Junior is everything Alfa Romeo needed: a practical, stylish, and efficient subcompact SUV that can compete in a crowded market. It’s a lifeline for a brand that has long struggled with profitability and relevance. But it’s also everything Alfisti didn’t want: a car that prioritizes mass appeal over character, safety regulations over styling purity, and hybrid efficiency over driving passion.

This isn’t to say the Junior is a bad car—it’s not. It’s well-built, thoughtfully designed, and likely to be a commercial success. But it represents a shift in Alfa’s identity, from a maker of soulful machines to a player in the corporate automotive game.

🏁 Final Verdict

The Alfa Romeo Junior is a necessary evolution for the brand, but it’s also a poignant reminder that progress often comes at the cost of tradition. For new buyers, it’s a compelling entry into the Alfa world. For longtime fans, it’s a bittersweet chapter in a story that once celebrated irrational passion over rational perfection.