Review Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Speciale (2025)

Introduction

With the Giulia and Stelvio nearing the end of their lifecycle, Alfa Romeo is pulling out all the stops. The brand’s future largely rests on the shoulders of the new Junior, a compact SUV aimed not only at private buyers with petrol engines but also introducing a fully electric variant: the Junior Elettrica. We spent a week behind the wheel of the well-equipped Speciale version to find out whether this EV truly feels like an Alfa Romeo – and whether it can take on the segment’s established players.

Video: Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Speciale in detail

Watch our video of the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Speciale. We walk you through the exterior and interior of our test car and take you along for a full POV driving experience. See and feel for yourself what this SUV is like.

Exterior

The design of the Junior builds on what was introduced with the Tonale but confidently takes its own path. Measuring 4.17 metres in length, the SUV has short overhangs, muscular wheel arches and a distinctive ‘Coda Tronca’ rear – a retro nod to the classic Giulia TZ.

Our test vehicle came in the striking Blu Navigli paint and, as a Speciale model, featured a matte black body kit with Rosso Brera accents. At the front, you’ll find the ‘Progresso’ version of the iconic Scudetto grille and distinctive ‘3+3’ Matrix LED headlights. The standard 18-inch “Petali” wheels give a modern twist to classic Alfa design and fit the look perfectly.

The result is a stylish SUV that stands out in a crowded segment. Bold, sporty, and – crucially – unmistakably Alfa.

Interior

Step inside the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Speciale and it's clear that the Italians have made a real effort to create a distinctive atmosphere. The cockpit features stylish elements like round, illuminated air vents and the typical "Cannocchiale" dashboard design. The latter is reminiscent of classic Alfa models with deep-set gauges, although the digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster is rectangular and thus less retro than it appears.

Material quality is mixed. The seats look and feel solid, with sporty black-and-red fabric and leather upholstery, and a subtle Alfa logo embroidered in the headrests. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable. For even more sportiness, Sabelt bucket seats are available for €2,500, but the standard seats already offer a good balance of comfort and support.

On the downside, the upper dashboard and door panels are made of hard plastics, and many controls are familiar from other Stellantis brands (like Opel and Peugeot). For instance, the iconic round DNA driving mode selector has been replaced by a more basic switch. The drive modes are still there, but the experience feels less distinctively Alfa.

The 10.25-inch infotainment screen disappoints slightly in daily use. Its wide, low layout makes navigation maps and camera feeds appear smaller than expected. The home button is oddly placed 5 centimetres above the screen, which can be confusing at first. Fortunately, the menu structure is intuitive and easy to learn, and the screen is angled slightly toward the driver, which is a plus.

Comfort-wise, there’s little to complain about. Front occupants have plenty of space, and rear head- and legroom are adequate for adults. Getting in and out is easy thanks to wide-opening doors, and the hidden rear door handles in the window frame are a stylish nod to older Alfa models.

The rear bench follows the same black-red theme as the front seats, enhancing the sense of cohesion and finish. Rear passengers get seatback storage pockets and a single USB-C port, although there are no air vents in the centre console.

The powered tailgate, a boot volume of 400 to 1,265 litres, and the adjustable floor make the Junior’s luggage space practical on paper. In reality, however, the charging cables are stored underneath, meaning you can only raise the floor to its highest setting. This prevents a flat loading floor when folding the rear seats (60/40 split), although it does align with the loading lip – making it easier to slide out heavy items.

Powertrain

Under the bonnet – which opens effortlessly thanks to gas struts – sits an electric motor producing 156 hp (115 kW) and 260 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels. Power is drawn from a 54 kWh lithium-ion battery (51 kWh usable). The Junior accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 km/h.

On paper, Alfa Romeo claims a WLTP range of 410 km, or up to 592 km in urban conditions. During our test week in cool spring weather, we averaged 16.2 kWh/100 km, giving a realistic range of around 315 km. That’s not class-leading, especially for a brand with premium aspirations, though the standard heat pump is a definite plus.

Charging is possible via an 11 kW onboard AC charger or up to 100 kW at a DC fast charger. A 20 to 80 percent charge takes 27 minutes – acceptable, but far from exceptional.

Driving Experience

Put the range aside for a moment, and you'll quickly notice that the Junior drives like a true Alfa Romeo. The steering is direct and precise enough, while the chassis strikes an appealing balance between sportiness and comfort.

Throttle response is smooth – never jerky or nervous – and the car behaves nicely on winding roads, despite the extra weight from the battery. The seats offer good lateral support, even during more spirited driving, and sound insulation is excellent. Wind and road noise are well suppressed.

We also appreciate the physical buttons for climate control and volume – intuitive and safe to use. The infotainment screen, on the other hand, is mounted too low, forcing you to take your eyes off the road for longer than ideal.

The reversing camera is a clear highlight: sharp image quality, dynamic guidelines, and a huge improvement over what you’ll find in today’s Giulia and Stelvio.

Also welcome is the dedicated button that lets you easily disable the mandatory ISA (Intelligent Speed Assistance) chimes. This should be standard in every new car in 2025.

Pricing

The electric Junior starts at €36,780 in Belgium, which is significantly more than the petrol version (€29,210). The Speciale trim we tested begins at €38,680. Optional packs such as the Pack Sport Speciale (€2,500) and Pack Tech Speciale Lite (€1,500) offer additional features. A panoramic sunroof can be added for €1,350. Those seeking even more performance can opt for the Junior Veloce with 280 hp, starting from €45,330.