The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio receives few changes and these have mostly to do with its standard luxury and driver-assistance features.
More is added of both, including heated seats front and rear, a wireless charging pad, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, grocery-bag hooks in the trunk, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Several paint colors are discontinued.
After its 2020 update, we called the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio a “real M3 beater” and the new benchmark for high-performance compact luxury sedans. Alfa clearly believes that the Giulia Quadrifoglio is fundamentally just right, as the sports sedan moves into 2022 with no major updates.
Things can change in a short space of time, though, and the all-new BMW M3 has arrived to reclaim its crown.
More than anything, the M3 must try to overcome the fact that the Alfa is one of the most emotionally-charged sedans ever, mixing sweet chassis dynamics with sharp steering and a phenomenal 505-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine that will see the Quadrifoglio reach 60 mph in under four seconds.
Add in the Alfa’s stunning styling, and it’s a formidable package. Yes, it lacks the build integrity of the Germans and the trunk isn’t that big, but in the context of what a sports sedan is meant to be, the Alfa’s highs far outweigh its few flaws.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With its rhapsodic twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 and a well-calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission, the rear-drive-only 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a riot to pilot.
The Italian-built, Ferrari-derived engine produces 505 horsepower, 443 pound-feet of torque, and a spine-tingling timbre that shames most rivals.
Too bad a manual transmission isn’t available. We’re also sad to report that Alfa Romeo lives up to its reputation for unreliability, with our long-termer exhibiting several mechanical glitches. The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s engine contains its excitement when cruising at low rpm and in top gear.
Applying the throttle below 3000 rpm results in merely a hint of hesitation, but then the turbos spool up and power builds in a whirlwind of acceleration and a ripping exhaust note.
The eight-speed automatic gearbox is decisive and quick to swap gears in the sportier drive modes, and the Giulia’s supple chassis is a willing partner in high-spirited hijinks. The Alfa shines on track and handles daily driving well, with perfect damping and notable isolation from harsh impacts.
The zestier driving modes don’t compromise ride quality, either. And then there’s the sensational steering setup: The thin-rimmed steering wheel feels like a blast from the past, offering feather-light effort, communicative feedback, and pleasingly quick response.
The synthesis of these traits is what separates the 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio from its main rivals and helped it win a comparison test against the M3.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Giulia QF and its supersedan rivals are virtually tied in EPA ratings, with the Alfa earning 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The version we tested on our 75-mph fuel-economy route beat its highway estimate by 1 mpg.
For more information about the 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio‘s interior is composed of leather surfaces and faux-suede accents. The attractive front seats are supportive without being restrictive. A pair of racing-oriented Recaro buckets are available, but they lack the power adjustments and heating elements of the standard set.
The switchgear and swooping dashboard carry over from the regular Giulia, but the 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio adds a copious amount of carbon-fiber trim. The QF’s trunk would accommodate four carry-on suitcases, which is average for this class.
The reasonably sized center console adds a bit of front-row storage. Back-seat passengers are limited to small door pockets and cargo netting on the back of the front seats to store their stuff.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 8.8-inch infotainment display in the dash can be controlled by touch or by a rotary knob on the center console. The interface is customizable and intuitive, but the driver may have some difficulty hitting the smaller on-screen icons when the vehicle is in motion.
Still, Alfa’s system has a wealth of features and comes with navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A 15-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system is also standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The swoopy sedan has standard driver assistance such as automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring plus a slew of available equipment.
For more information about the 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Photos
Full Specifications
2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $76,845/$83,740
Options: Rosso Competizione Tri-Coat paint, $2200; Active Assist 2 package, $2200; Premium package, $995; Dark Tecnico Wheels. $500; Nero Edizione, $500; colored brake calipers, $500
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 176 in3, 2891 cm3
Power: 505 @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 443 @ 2500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 2
F: 245/35ZR-19 (93Y) AR
R: 285/30ZR-19 (98Y) AR
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.0 in
Length: 182.6 in
Width: 73.8 in
Height: 56.1 in
Passenger Volume: 94 ft3
Trunk Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 3862 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.6 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.9 sec @ 121 mph
130 mph: 13.9 sec
150 mph: 20.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 191 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 324 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.96 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Driving: 31 mpg
Highway Range: 470 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/25 mpg
