Alfa Romeo Junior

The long-awaited compact Alfa Romeo

The long-awaited Alfa Romeo compact model since the Giulietta has finally arrived in Japan. It's a car that Alfa fans have been waiting for. — The long-awaited Alfa Romeo compact model since the Giulietta has finally arrived in Japan. It’s a car that Alfa fans have been waiting for.

Frankly speaking, I think Alfa Romeo is the only brand currently in the Stellantis Group that is going astray. Speaking of Alfa Romeo, the D-segment “156” and the C-segment “147” were all the rage in the 2000s, and I vividly remember the 156 in particular being so popular in Japan that it threatened the BMW 3 Series. Alfa had a strong brand identity back then.

But for some reason, Alfa Romeo has been lackluster lately. Its lineup includes the Stelvio mid-size SUV, the Giulia D-segment sedan, and the Tonale C-segment SUV, but it seems to have lost none of its former momentum and even lost sight of its brand identity. Alfa is a manufacturer that should not pander to the masses. I firmly believe that it is a brand that shows off its appeal by pursuing its own individuality and sportiness.

The Sabelt sports seats are a must-have option!

The 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system is easy to operate. Of particular note is the incredibly comfortable Sabelt sports seats, which are only available in the limited edition "Speciale" model that I test drove. These seats are so well-made I wish they were available as an option on all models. — [1]

Alfa Romeo has finally brought the B-segment SUV “Junior” to Japan. The platform is the Stellantis Group’s “eCMP” compact car platform, which is also used in the “Peugeot 208.” Both MHEV and BEV powertrains are available, but this time we test drove the limited edition hybrid “Junior Ibrida Speciale,” a car to commemorate the launch of the hybrid.

The first thing that catches your eye is the design, which is bursting with individuality. It features Alfa-esque motifs throughout, such as the sharp, three-eye headlights, the bold trilobe-shaped front grille (the limited edition model we test drove this time uses a “scutted” grille), and the rear section that looks like it’s been cut off with a sharp knife.

A 1.2-liter engine that delivers pleasure with every rev

The fun-to-rev 1.2-liter inline 3-cylinder turbo engine is combined with a mild hybrid system, achieving a maximum system output of 145 PS. — [2]

The luggage compartment has a capacity of 415 liters for the MHEV and 400 liters for the BEV, providing ample storage for travel and shopping. — [2]

The MHEV powertrain combines a 1.2-liter inline three-cylinder turbo (136 PS) with a 6-speed DCT with a 16 kW E-motor and a 48V system, while the BEV is equipped with a 54 kW lithium-ion battery, producing a system output of 156 PS/270 Nm and achieving a maximum driving range of 494 km.

Now, as for the all-important driving of the MHEV, I was a little concerned about the amount of vibration from the DCT during repeated stop-and-go situations. At low speeds, the car tends to flap around a little and be pushed up strongly, but the Junior’s true strength lies in the mid- to high-speed range. Once the car exceeds 50km/h, the steering feels firm and responsive, and the suspension offers a smooth ride. Although I wasn’t able to test drive it on the highway this time, I was impressed by the very sporty mid-speed cornering, which truly embodies the “Alfa brand.”

Also pay attention to the innovative styling

The avant-garde rear styling is impressive, as if it had been cut off with a sharp knife. This is the first time Alfa has taken a bold step in design in a long time.

The Junior also boasts a fuel economy of 23.0km/L, an impressive figure even among B-segment SUVs. It will be interesting to see if this signals the revival of the Alfa brand.

REPORT／Ryohei ISHIKAWA

PHOTO／Kenji ICHI

MAGAZINE／GENROQ September 2025 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Speciale

Body size: Length 4195, width 1780, height 1585mm

Wheelbase: 2560mm

Vehicle weight: 1340kg

Engine: Inline 3-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 1199cc

Maximum output: 100kW (136PS) / 5500rpm

Maximum torque: 230Nm (23.5kgm) / 1750rpm

Front motor

maximum output: 16kW (22PS) / 4264rpm

Maximum torque: 51Nm (5.2kgm) / 750-2499rpm

Transmission: 6-speed DCT

Drive system: FWD

Suspension type: Front MacPherson strut, rear torsion beam

Brakes: Front ventilated disc, rear disc

Tire size: Front and rear 215/55R18

Fuel consumption rate (WLTC): 23.0km/L

Vehicle price: 5.33 million yen