2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia continues to play the character of the oddball in the luxury sedan segment. Stocked with rowdy engines and Italian flair, it will provide a much different experience than conventional competitors. Despite a spotty history for reliability, to dyed-in-the-wool drivers, the Giulia’s boisterousness is worth the occasional heartache.

Sport-focused sedans are available from nearly every manufacturer. But Edmunds asserts three reasons why they like the spicy four-door over others.

Reason #1: Strong turbocharged engines

Obviously, performance enthusiasts will laud the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter, Ferrari-derived V6 and all its angry, rampaging octaves. With 505 horsepower and 443 pounds-feet of torque, the Alfa will hit a 3.8-second 0-60 time before its 191-mph top speed. Alfa Romeo proudly states each figure is best-in-class. If that’s too much get-up-and-go, however, the 2.0-liter 280-horsepower turbo-four is also the most potent base engine in the segment.

Reason #2: Attractive interior design

If one desires an interior like no other car, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia will satisfy them immensely. There are six trim levels—Sprint, Ti, Lusso, Veloce, Estrema, and Quadrifoglio—all with decadent color combinations and materials. Potential buyers may experience a bit more form over function, but few complaints can’t be remedied with red leather sports seats.

Reason #3: High performance of the Quadrifoglio model

The aforementioned raucous twin-turbo V6 isn’t the only party favor under the Quadrifoglio’s beautiful exterior. The 2023 Alfa Romeo boasts a perfect race-spec 50-50 weight distribution, helped by a carbon fiber driveshaft. The well-calibrated eight-speed transmission can be controlled by column-mounted paddle shifters. And the Alfa is covered the track-inspired trappings of carbon fiber accents, a front splitter, and Sparco racing seats.

Is the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia a perfect car for anyone?

When Alfa Romeo built the Giulia, it placed engagement at the top of its dream board. No other midsize sedan provides the performance the base Sprint does, let alone the Quadrifoglio. Confident steering, ballet dancer-like handling, and overwhelming distinctiveness make it the aristocratic street fighter of the corporate-class luxury sedan crowd.

But the news isn’t all good with the 2023 Giulia. In true Alfa tradition, it has faults. For example, as some have pointed out, the front doors are in the “wrong” place. Therefore, it’s tough to climb into the cockpit after a late lunch of peach and peacock. Moreover, the infotainment system is slower and less up-to-date than its German rivals. Edmunds picks out two other issues to watch out for.  

Reason #1: Rear seat space is tight for the class

The 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia is supposed to sit three in the back. But the Giulia places performance over passenger practicality. It has one of the most limiting rear seat spaces in the segment. Despite the good looks, it’s not a high point for families with three teenage children.

Reason #2: Trunk space is adequate but awkward to access

With a 13.4 cubic foot trunk, the Giulia offers average cargo space for a midsize sedan. However, although the trunk is spacious, its top edge is nearly horizontally aligned with the bottom edge. Owners won’t drop items down into the trunk but place them in more awkwardly. Reviewers said, “you bend over and slide them in, like you do with an oven.”