Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida reviewed: The SUV Alfa needs right now?

Alfa Romeo’s latest compact SUV, the Junior, is intended to revitalise the Italian brand’s sales figures, especially crucial given reports that parent company Stellantis is exploring the possibility of splitting off Alfa Romeo and Maserati amid concerns over US car tariffs. That Trump, eh?

We’ve already driven the Junior Electric – or Elletrica, in Alfa Romeo parlance. But now here comes the Ibrida – Italian for hybrid – to appeal to a slightly wider audience. Is this hybrid-powered SUV going to be more appealing than the slightly disappointing Junior Electric?

Visually, the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida makes a strong first impression with its sporty styling. Its striking lines and aggressive front end deliver undeniable kerb appeal.

Inside, Alfa Romeo offers a driver-focused cockpit with a low-slung driving position and an angled dashboard. Details such as the round housing over the instrument cluster hark back to Alfas of old. However, extensive use of hard plastics undermines the premium feel somewhat – and you’ll be particularly disappointed when you look closer and see a small square screen with lots of bezel under that dramatic instrument binnacle.

The infotainment system is intuitive enough, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, though the screen itself is on the smaller side and positioned quite low.

Despite its compact dimensions—measuring just 4.17 metres long—the Junior Ibrida offers ample room for passengers in the front. Rear-seat space is tighter, especially regarding legroom for taller occupants. On the plus side, the spacious boot stands out with a capacity of 415 litres, not the largest but still very usable for a small SUV.

Under the bonnet, there’s a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine assisted by an electric motor. The whole setup generates 136hp. Unfortunately, it lacks punch, dampening the sporty promise suggested by its appearance. This hybrid manages 0-62 mph in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of around 124 mph. During our real-world tests, combined fuel consumption averaged around 45mpg – good, but not exactly lifechanging considering a Toyota Yaris Cross will easily top 60mpg.

Thanks to a sporty suspension setup and precise steering, the Junior Ibrida remains enjoyable to drive, both around city streets and along winding country roads. However, it’s less enjoyable round town or on even surfaces, as the stiff suspension does transmit a lot of bumps.

In summary, the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida impresses with its sporty design, generous boot, and agile handling. On the downside, restricted rear space and interior plastics might deter some potential buyers. Whether the Junior Ibrida will be the car to revive Alfa Romeo in the UK remains to be seen, but something needs to – in January, the brand saw just 73 sales, putting it below KGM, Subaru and even Bentley.

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