Some of the higher-end luxury cars are popular nowadays, but the price tags for them can be a tremendous turn-off. Going the used route often saves an owner a ton of money to spend elsewhere. One of the cars people search for is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. But if you go with the 2017 model of the Giulia, you’re could regret it, Consumer Reports explains. They go on to report exactly why it should be avoided and why the Audi A4 is the better alternative.

Reliability ratings for the Alfa Romeo Giulia

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia earned one out of five stars for reliability. The three problem areas that plagued it included the climate system, body hardware, power equipment, and in-car electronics. Also, there were three recalls that the NHTSA announced for the 2017 model. 

The first one was for the software on the brake system module. Because of a glitch, drivers may not be able to disable the adaptive cruise control after the traction control system warns of a wheel slipping. To remedy the issue, dealers will need to update the software program. 

The second recall was for the leaking of brake fluid that could get on to the exhaust. They determined that this would increase the risk of a fire breaking out. To fix it, a bracket would need installing to prevent the brake fluid line from touching coolant hose clamps and tearing, causing leakage of the brake fluid. 

The last recall for the 2017 model was for the 2.0-liter engines. These motors could misfire, which would cause the catalytic converter to overheat and damage the wiring and engine components located near the motor. 

How well does each vehicle perform?

Reviewers of the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia found that its eight-speed automatic transmission wasn’t as smooth in changing gears as it should be. Nor did they switch gears quickly as most other vehicles do. 

The Audi A4 rode and handled like a dream, with no problems going down the road. The transmission performed exactly as it should, making gear switches as smooth as butter. Handling was much more satisfying in the A4. 

The interior of the Alfa Romeo looked nice, but most of the materials felt cheaply made. Seat comfort left a lot to be desired since the Giulia had short cushions that made lengthy drives unbearable. The A4 had more comfortable seats, but the rear, like the Giulia, was simply too cramped.

Trunk space for the Alfa Romeo Giulia was tiny compared to the Audi A4’s average-sized cargo area. It’s interesting to note that the EPA ratings are pretty close for both vehicles. Both vehicles can get a reported 27 mpg on the highway. 

How do they compare when it comes to features?

The Audi A4 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Pricing falls in the $17,000-to-$25,000 range for a used model. It also offers plenty of advanced safety features, plus it received good ratings for safety crash testing.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia’s four-cylinder motor produces 280 hp, which is a little more than the 252 hp that the A4 brings. Alfa’s Romeo has some pretty decent features included, but some of them were noted to not work efficiently. 

Lane departure warning systems are great, but in the Giulia, it’s a bit of a shock to your system when it goes off. Parking sensors are also an annoyance because they tend to go off for no reason and sometimes won’t shut off even after parking. The Audi A4 never had these issues. 

If you’re leaning toward a used luxury car model, the 2017 Audi A4 is the way to go. Avoid the used Alfa Romeo Giulia as you’re likely to spend more on it than just the purchase price.