Alfa Romeo’s Giulia: Resurrecting a Name and Offering Incredible Value
For those seeking a used performance car, premium sedans often present the best opportunities. Luxury vehicles tend to depreciate considerably from their original MSRP. This allows savvy buyers to acquire relatively new, well-maintained examples at a fraction of the original cost. Italian performance sedans, like the Maserati Quattroporte, frequently experience significant depreciation.
This trend is especially true for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, a special sedan equipped with a Ferrari-derived V6 engine. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is arguably an outstanding bargain in the current market, largely due to depreciation. This article explores why the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is such a compelling used car purchase.
Photo: The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, a high-performance sedan.
Alfa Romeo’s Rebirth and the Giulia’s Arrival
By the 2010s, Alfa Romeo found itself in a period of transition. After introducing more budget-friendly models such as the Mito and Giulietta, the brand’s parent company, Fiat, aimed to re-establish Alfa Romeo’s prominence. Given Alfa Romeo’s rich history in racing, the decision was made to re-focus on the performance market.
While the striking Alfa Romeo 4C was the first model to represent this new emphasis, a new sports sedan was the primary goal. Alfa Romeo chose to name it the Giulia, reviving a historic nameplate. The original Giulia, produced from 1962 to 1978, was a compact sedan.
The Giulia’s Significance
The Giulia not only brought back a classic name, but also marked Alfa’s return to the sedan market since the 159 was discontinued in 2011. The automaker’s performance ambitions were evident from the start. The Quadrifoglio, the top-tier variant, was unveiled first in June 2015 and quickly went into production. Designed to compete with vehicles like the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63, the Giulia had no room for compromise.
Photo: The Alfa Romeo Giulia.
An Incredible Value Proposition
Before discussing the Giulia’s performance capabilities, it’s important to address its exceptional value on the used market. When the Giulia QV first arrived in the U.S. for the 2017 model year, it was priced at $72,995. Today, used examples can be picked up for around $25,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.
This represents a loss of around $50,000 in under a decade—approximately two-thirds of the car’s original value. Considering the performance and luxury offered by the QV, this is a remarkable saving. Even later models have surprisingly low values, with 2022 models estimated to be worth around $43,500, a little over half of their original MSRP.
Giulia Quadrifoglio Specifications (2015-2023)
- Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
- Power: 505 hp
- Torque: 443 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 3.8 seconds
- Top Speed: 191 mph
- Used Value: $25,366–$43,623
These tempting prices are supported by auction data from Classic.com. The average auction price of a QV is currently $48,827. This is low given the number of Giulias sold in mint condition with low mileage. Values have been declining slowly for several years, with the QV averaging over $57,000 in November 2021.
To put these prices into perspective, consider that the cheapest new car in the U.S. as of 2025 is the Nissan Versa, priced from $17,190. This is only $10,000 less than earlier Giulia QVs. The Versa doesn’t come with an infotainment system, let alone a Ferrari-derived V6 and extensive technology.
The Giulia’s Performance Prowess
The all-aluminum, twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 in the Giulia is impressive. Generating 505 hp, the engine distributes power to all four wheels via a rapid-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The Q4 all-wheel-drive system can also switch to rear-wheel-drive if the driver desires. This setup allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 191 mph. This is impressive for a four-door sedan, even with a 17-cubic-foot trunk.
This engine was derived from Ferrari’s high-revving F154 V6, which powered the California roadster.
Engineering Excellence
Alfa Romeo’s engineers made certain the Giulia could handle corners effectively. Independent suspension was used throughout, paired with an adaptive damping system. The car was also equipped with a torque-vectoring system to keep the nose tucked into the apex. These features were combined with an active front splitter and fixed rear wings. The exterior modifications improved downforce to improve grip and high-speed stability. The body components were constructed from carbon fiber to minimize weight.
The Giulia Ti Veloce: A More Accessible Option
If the Giulia QV feels a little too aggressive for everyday use, the Giulia Ti Veloce may be more suitable. Introduced about a year after the QV, the Veloce has a smaller turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine. While it doesn’t match the QV’s 505 hp, its 280 hp offers enough power for fun on curved roads. Power is sent to the rear wheels, though the Q4 AWD was optional.
Giulia Veloce Specifications (2016-2023)
- Engine: 2.0L turbocharged I4
- Power: 280 hp
- Torque: 306 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 149 mph
- Used Value: $13,778-$27,873
Earlier 2017 models can be found for approximately $13,000, and later 2022 examples are available for $25,000. At only three years old, this is roughly half of their brand-new value. Whichever Giulia model you choose, you’ll get an excellent sports sedan combining a great image with standard features that exceed its affordable price.
