Friday, January 11, 2013

Alfa Romeo 159 overall verdict



In the Alfa Romeo 159, at last they have made a car capable of being taken seriously against the Germans. The 159 is better than the 156 it replaces in every single area, but still looks better than hot buttered Kiera. All we need to fear now is fear itself – the 159 has a dodgy reliability image.
  • Comfort

    Finally people of all sizes should fit. It's got more space all round than the 156 which it replaces, but feels sporty and intimate. The ride can get a bit nervous over bobbly surfaces, shuddering slightly when it gets confused by the slightly too-hard damping, but generally it's great.
  • Performance

    The 1.8 MPI Turismo is a bit sluggardly if you want the go to match the show - it only hits 62mph in 10.6 seconds with 140bhp. If you want anything respectable then you're looking for the 185bhp 2.2. Best of all are the lovely-but-lazy 260bhp 3.2-litre V6 (which is 250kg heavier than the fours) or the brilliant diesels. Money no object? Then the 2.4-litre JTDM five-pot diesel with 200bhp is the one.
  • Cool

    Off the scale. One of the most resolved saloons out there. We like it more than is strictly legal. Even in Holland.
  • Quality

    So much better than the horror stories that Alfa deserves a medal. There have been electrical gremlins and we have heard that there are niggles with the Selespeed transmission but nothing that a dealer can't sort. Play on their insecurities, it'll work wonders.
  • Handling

    A proper Alfa this; accurate steering - even if it is a bit on the numb side - coupled to a lively chassis make the 159 feel faster than it is. More fun than you have any right to expect from a front-wheel drive saloon. The Q4 4x4 variant is a joy too - think good-looking MitsiEvo. At 250kg more than the four-pots, it can feel fat and underpowered though.
  • Practicality

    Space inside is on par with everyone else in the sector. Rear-seat passengers may be a bit cramped, but nothing that Valium can't cure. There's a big, 405-litre boot, too.
  • Running costs

    Alarm at Alfa's reliability history means that these things drop quite heavily over two years, but clean engines mean low company car tax. And they tend to be cheap in the first place.