Overall Rating |  |
This is a stylish, sporty alternative to the Golf or Focus, even though it shares its underpinnings with the less fashionable Fiat Stilo. It's a car for those who really love driving.
For
- Sports hatch looks great and goes well
- Lively engines, responsive handling and good grip
- Comfortable cabin with generous equipment
Against
- Ride is too firm for complete comfort
- Some rivals have roomier interiors
- Steady depreciation, so-so safety rating
Road Test
Alfas have always been cars bought by aficionados to satisfy their hearts rather than their heads. The 147 is nonetheless a well-made car, though there have been a number of reliability niggles and early troubles with the Selespeed sequential gearbox.
Sportier to drive than the Stilo, and offered with engines including the GTA version's 250 bhp 3.2 V6, the 147 is a desirable and reasonably sensible way into Italian car ownership. It isn't the roomiest car in its class, nor is it the most refined, but it should prove thoroughly enjoyable.
Popular engine choices are 1.6 Twin Spark and 2.0 JTS petrol units, and there's also the lively but noisy 1.9 JTD diesel and smooth 2.5 V6. The diesel is practical and not a bad drive, but it doesn't feel quite such an authentic Alfa as the petrol models. All models are well-priced and well-equipped, but depreciation is relatively high.
Need To Know
JD Power stars: 1
NCAP: 3
Best Models: 2.0 Lusso and GTA
Worst Models: None
Replacement: 2006
Alternatives
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Star Ratings
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