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A typical Alfa

In terms of design, the Junior Elettrica is unmistakably an Alfa Romeo. The team in Turin has equipped the compact SUV – it is 4.17 meters long – with clean lines and recognizable details, such as an almost classic Alfa grille and sharp-cut headlights. Inside, the car also exudes Italian flair: the dashboard is completely driver-focused and equipped with a digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen. The materials? Also typically Italian – high-quality and pleasing to the eye.

The attention to detail is immediately noticeable. For example, the air vents are designed like a four-leaf clover – quadrifoglio – and the optional Sabelt sports seats offer excellent lateral support. But beware: if you regularly make long trips, you’d better skip these sturdy sports seats – they’re more suited to shorter, sporty drives than to hours of comfort.

Sharp and refreshing

What makes an Alfa Romeo a real Alfa? Exactly, driving pleasure. In that, the Junior certainly does not disappoint. With 115 kW (156 hp), it feels smooth and energetic, although it is not a streamer. For that kind of performance, you need the Veloce variant, which delivers 205 kW (280 hp) and is equipped with a limited slip differential.

The Junior is all about the chassis. Although it shares its platform with the Peugeot 2008, Jeep Avenger and Opel Mokka – not exactly cars that excel at driving fun – the engineers in Turin have worked their magic here. The result is a car with direct steering, a lively chassis and a pleasant balance. Every turn invites a big grin. Alfa Romeo has clearly made the most of the platform, which makes the Junior the most fun driving car on this CMP platform from parent company Stellantis.

DNA

As in many Alfa models, there are three modes: D, N and A. In other words, DNA. Even in “Natural” mode, intended for everyday use, the Junior remains playful and communicative. Switch to “Dynamic” mode, and handling becomes sharper. The car’s weight (at 1,500 kg relatively light for an EV) is well distributed, providing plenty of grip and stability. The low center of gravity, helped by the battery in the bottom, makes it extra agile. Add the direct steering and communicative suspension, and you have a car that makes driving really fun.

Not nervous

What is striking is that despite its sporty nature, the Junior does not feel nervous. It manages to strike a good balance between comfort and sharpness. Even on wet or bumpy road surfaces, the car remains stable and predictable, without compromising the driving experience. Thanks to the aforementioned Sabelt sports seats, the driver always sits firmly and steadily in place.

Also practical?

Despite its sporty nature, the Junior is also surprisingly practical. With 400 liters of luggage space, it offers more than most competitors in this segment. The tailgate on our test car is electrically operated and under the hood there is a convenient place for the charging cable. Alfa Romeo has clearly paid attention to everyday convenience as well.

Good seating position

The high seating position provides good all-round visibility. There are also plenty of useful features, such as the Alfa Connect navigation system that automatically plans your charging stops during a long trip. Add to that a range of driving assistance systems such as a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control, and you have a compact SUV that also responds well to the needs of drivers looking for more in a car than just sharp handling.

Range

We know the Junior’s powertrain from its Stellantis brothers: 54 kWh battery capacity and a WLTP range of about 410 kilometers. In practice, of course, you can only achieve that if really all conditions are right. Count on an average range of about 300 to 350 kilometers and, on a cold winter day, 250 kilometers. Quick charging is possible with up to 100 kW: in 30 minutes you can charge the battery from 10% to 80%. There is also a Junior on gasoline: the Junior Ibrida.

An Alfa Romeo with character

We admit it honestly: beforehand we had our doubts about the Junior. Not because it is electric, but because we already know its technical basis from several other Stellantis models. Fine building blocks, but whether you can turn that into an exciting car? We weren’t sure about that. Still, the Junior manages to really surprise us. It stays true to Alfa Romeo’s DNA. Where many electric cars come across as clinical and emotionless, this Junior actually brings back driving pleasure and experience. It is the car you choose if you do not only want to drive from A to B, but also want to enjoy driving. So it is a real Alfa Romeo.