Buying a brand-new economy car is usually the sensible choice, but it isn’t always the most rewarding one. Thanks to steep depreciation, the used market is full of luxury performance cars that cost no more than a new compact commuter, offering far more character for the same monthly payment.

Few examples illustrate this better than the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia. For roughly the price of a new Toyota Corolla, you can get a rear-wheel-drive Italian sports sedan with sharp handling, premium materials, and nearly 300 horsepower. If you’re willing to look past the badge’s old reputation, this may be one of the biggest bargains on today’s used market.

Instead of spending your money on a Corolla, you can get a 2023 Giulia for the same price

A genuine sports sedan for $25,000

Alfa Romeo is a brand that has a bit of a shaky public image. Due to a long history of questionable reliability, used models don’t hold their value very well. However, things have changed quite a lot, and modern Alfa Romeos, while not perfect, have a much better track record for dependability. Their value on the used market, however, is still pretty bad. What this means, though, is that you can get a practically new Giulia and spend the same amount of money as you would have on a 2026 Toyota Corolla.

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia trims and pricing

As mentioned, Alfa Romeo’s reputation is a big reason why cars like the Giulia depreciate at such a fast rate. When new, a 2023 model would have cost between $45,875 and $59,015 depending on which trim you opted for, meaning they have lost almost half their value after just three years on the road. While this doesn’t bode well for those that bought their Giulia new, it means that you can pick yourself a lightly used Italian luxury sports sedan for around the same price as a new 2026 Toyota Corolla.

We have, of course, left off the high-octane Quadrifoglio model in this article, as prices still sit well over the $60,000 mark. However, if you’re looking for an M3-killer on a budget, it’s certainly worth a look.

We wouldn’t blame you for opting for the base trims, as you get a ton of car for not a lot of money. However, if you’re looking for a genuinely sporty driving experience, we think that it is well worth upgrading to the Veloce or the Estrema. As well as all the additional niceties on the inside, you get a mechanical limited-slip differential in both, which makes a huge difference to performance. Upgrading to the Estrema gets you an adaptive suspension system and some unique interior aesthetic elements, but these trims weren’t as popular and are much harder to find on the used market.

Reliability and maintenance

• Reliability score: 81/100
• Limited warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Average 5-year maintenance: $7,241 (CarEdge)

As mentioned, reliability is a major concern for most people when they think Alfa Romeo. While the brand isn’t topping any charts, their track record for dependability over the last couple of years has been pretty decent. The 2023 Giulia, for example, scores 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability on J.D. Power, putting it ahead of a lot of other luxury sedans. Maintenance is also pretty reasonable, with CarEdge estimating the Giulia to be one of the most affordable luxury cars on the market to keep in good shape.

One of the main issues that owners report is that the electronics have a tendency to bug out. However, many have claimed that replacing the stock battery solved a lot of their troubles.

It is more powerful and engaging than a modern BMW 3-Series

Alfa Romeo knows how to make cars dance

Credit: Alfa Romeo

The whole point of buying a sports sedan over something like a Toyota Corolla is that, quite simply, they’re more fun. In this regard, the Giulia is possibly one of the best choices that you can make. Even in today’s age, Alfa Romeo builds some of the most engaging and enjoyable cars on the market. Even the turbo-four in the Giulia will be more than enough to put a smile on your face.

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia performance

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

8-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

280 hp

Base Trim Torque

306 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

Fuel Economy

24/33 MPG

Make

Alfa Romeo

Model

Giulia

Segment

Compact Luxury Sedan

Under the hood of the 2023 Giulia sits a pretty potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine. German rivals of the same era, like the BMW 330i and the Audi A4, also come with standard four-pots, but the Giulia has the advantage when it comes to horsepower and torque. Most models could be optioned with all-wheel drive, but we think rear-wheel drive just makes more sense in a car like this. You also get a pretty slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Giulia is capable of getting up to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in as little as 5.5 seconds. While some of its rivals might be a little quicker off the line, we think that the Alfa has the advantage as far as driving feel is concerned. It is an extremely playful car, and it just makes you always want to grab it by the scruff of its neck. It dances through corners beautifully, and it features communicative steering that always lets you know what the front tires are doing. For the price, there are few four-door sedans that come anywhere close in terms of enjoyment behind the wheel.

Compared to a Corolla, the Alfa Romeo Giulia oozes luxury

Sleek lines and high-end materials

Credit: Stellantis

Obviously, something like a Toyota Corolla prioritizes function over form. Toyota in particular can be quite utilitarian with their interior design. This is yet another reason why the Giulia feels so appealing, though, with its luxurious interior contrasting quite starkly against the new budget cars that exist at the same price point.

Interior dimensions and comfort

While there are other compact sports sedans that offer a more spacious interior than the Giulia, things don’t seem so cramped when compared to a Corolla. Both cars feature very similar dimensions in the rear. While adults might feel a bit squished, you can fit a pair of passengers in the back when you need to. The trunk exactly massive, but it has enough space for a couple of weekend bags or a weekly grocery haul.

For $25,000 you’re not going to find many cars with an interior quite as nice as the 2023 Giulia. Every surface is covered in soft touch materials, from textured metal to fine leather. There are some elements that give away the sports sedan’s ties to the mainstream Stellantis family, but this is easy to forgive at this price. You get a bevy of standard luxury features here as well, including leather sports seats and multi-zone climate control.

Infotainment and technology

The 8.8-inch infotainment screen in the Giulia is built into the dashboard, with a swooping piece of trim shading it from the sun and making it feel like a more integrated part of the car. You can control the system via touch inputs or a rotary knob mounted on the center console. While fairly intuitive, the system can be a little slow to respond.

You get all the modern amenities you would want here, including a trio of USB ports. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. While the standard sound system is reasonable, audiophiles might want to look for a model with the optional 14-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system instead.

Enthusiasts don’t have to spend ridiculous money to get an entertaining daily driver

New cars are becoming more and more expensive, and more people are shifting to the used market to find good deals. Navigating this market can feel daunting, but if you know where to look you can find some gems. The 2023 Giulia is exactly that in our eyes. Because of a mostly outdated view of the brand’s reliability, depreciation hits hard, meaning that you can swoop in and get an enthusiast-focused sports sedan for the price of a new Toyota Corolla. Being on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t have something a little fun.