The Alfa Romeo Junior, originally called Alfa Romeo Milano and available with a pure electric powertrain optionally in Europe, is under consideration for the U.S. Last week, I checked out the new sub-compact SUV at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, and here are some interesting observations I made:
Design
Typical of any modern Alfa Romeo, the Junior has a dynamic and striking exterior that presents itself as a powerful and performance-oriented driving machine. In the range-topping Veloce variant that I saw at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, it looks even more fierce.
The V scudetto grille featuring the cross of the Municipality of Milan and the Visconti Biscione serpent make the Junior instantly recognisable as an Alfa Romeo. The “3+3” headlights on its flanks project a particularly assertive look, and a chunky gloss black trim piece below them helps it virtually form a C-shape to emphasize its width. The latter features rectangular air inlets, adding to the SUV’s sporty styling. A three-dimensional pattern in the visibly wide lower grille and a muscular bumper complete the sophisticated and powerful appearance at the front.
On the sides, the beltline swiftly rises for the most part and kicks up dynamically at the middle of the rear doors, making the vehicle look in motion and fast even when it is standstill. The hidden door handles, the Visconti Biscione logo on the C-pillar, the fluidic character lines, and the broad shoulders are also among the noteworthy design bits here. The Veloce variant has a more athletic stance, as it sits 25 mm (0.04 in.) lower, has a widened wheel track, and is equipped with larger, 20-inch “Venti” alloy wheels.
While I find the front and side profile truly appealing, I think the rear-end looks a little bizarre. The concave shape on the tailgate and how the gloss black trim piece integrating the tail lights tapers on the outer end reminds me of the Kia EV6. The windscreen getting narrower toward the bottom makes matters worse. The cursive brand inscription is genuinely beautiful but seems out of place.
Interior
The interior of the Alfa Romeo Junior gives a proper driver’s car vibe, especially in the Veloce variant. In a time when most automakers are going over-digital in the name of cleaning up and space improvement, Alfa Romeo designers are sticking to the proven concept, something old-school drivers will particularly appreciate.
The dashboard of the Junior integrates a 10.25-inch virtual instrument cluster in Alfa Romeo’s classic “telescope” design and quadrifoglio-shaped AC vents. A 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the middle of the dashboard is tilted towards the driver for better visibility, and right below this display is a row of no-nonsense climate control buttons. The chunky steering wheel also features push-back buttons, as well as two toggle switches, adding to good ergonomics. The center console could have looked better if it was wider, but there’s not much else to complain about the aesthetics here.
My experience in the Alfa Romeo Junior
I am six-foot tall, and for me, ingress and egress in the Alfa Romeo Junior was only slightly better than a small hatchback. Once inside, I immediately noticed how sporty the seats were. They’re designed to keep you secure during spirited driving, with excellent side bolstering and great under-thigh support. Even at six feet tall, I found the headroom surprisingly good.
The visibility is decent despite the smaller glass areas, though the thick A-pillars may take some getting used to. The interior feels distinctly Alfa Romeo, with sharp graphics on the instrument cluster giving it a race-ready vibe. The generous use of Alcantara adds a nice premium touch, but I’m not a fan of the piano black trim used here.
Getting into the rear seat, however, was disappointing. With the front seat adjusted for a six-footer, the rear becomes almost unusable—my knees were pressed against the seatback. The space is better suited for kids or shorter adults, as it simply doesn’t offer enough legroom for taller passengers.
Specifications
The Alfa Romeo Junior is available only in front-wheel drive, with one motor producing 154 hp and 192 lb.-ft. of torque in the standard variant and 277 hp and 254 lb.-ft. of torque in the Veloce variant. The standard variant accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 9.0 seconds and maxes out at 93 mph. The Veloce variant takes just 5.9 seconds for the same speed run and achieves a top speed of 124 mph.
Both motors of the Junior draw energy from a 51 kWh (net) battery pack. It delivers a WLTP range of up to 255 miles in the standard variant and 207 miles in the Veloce variant.
U.S. launch
Internationally, the Alfa Romeo Junior competes with small SUVs like the Volvo EX30, MINI Aceman, and smart #3. Daniel Tiago Guzzafame, Alfa Romeo’s head of product, has said the company plans to showcase the Junior to American dealers and discuss the potential of launching it in CARB states like California and Florida, Automotive News Europe reported on July 23, 2024. Built at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland, an EU member, the sub-compact SUV would attract only a 2.5% tariff. There’s no word on when Alfa Romeo might launch the Junior in the U.S., if at all.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
