Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce Review – Performance SUV Test Drive

Alfa Romeo just revealed its first electric SUV can actually deliver the driving thrills the brand’s known for. The Junior Veloce proves that battery power doesn’t have to kill Italian passion.

This isn’t just another electric crossover wearing a famous badge. The Junior Veloce packs serious performance credentials – a 276bhp front motor and mechanical limited-slip differential that transforms how this compact SUV behaves on the road.

Sharp Styling With Subtle Aggression

The Veloce takes a more refined approach than its Abarth 600e cousin, which shares the same underpinnings. Where the Abarth screams for attention with bold colors and massive body kits, the Alfa whispers its intentions through careful details.

Key exterior changes include a 25mm lower ride height, stiffer suspension, and upgraded brakes with red calipers.

The stunning 20-inch Venti wheels and subtle red-striped body kit hint at the performance underneath without shouting about it. That massive Alfa crest up front might be a bit much, but it works with the C-shaped lighting arrays and aggressive lower grille.

Around back, the kinked shoulder line and raked tailgate glass give this SUV genuine visual drama. Those thin boomerang taillights even echo the classic Maserati 3200 GT.

Interior: Highs and Lows

Step inside and you’ll find generous Alcantara covering the seats, dashboard, and doors. The traditional dual-circle gauge cluster houses digital displays that feel authentically Alfa.

But there’s evidence of parts-bin engineering too.

The same drive selector and handbrake switches appear across various Stellantis models, from Citroën to Toyota. Some interior plastics feel cheap for a car approaching £50,000 with options.

Space is tight – especially in the rear seats. The optional Sabelt buckets up front provide great support but steal precious rear legroom. You’re looking at children-only seating back there. The 400-liter boot offers decent cargo space, though.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen sits too low and runs clunky software that’s far from intuitive. At least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work smoothly.

Performance That Matters

The Junior Veloce uses Stellantis’s familiar 54kWh battery pack, officially good for 200 miles of range with 100kW charging capability.

Real-world driving tells a different story. Gentle cruising delivers around 3.5 miles per kWh, but the car’s wild side drops that to the low 2s. Expect closer to 150 miles between charges if you’re having fun.

And you will have fun.

That 276bhp motor delivers instant, muscular acceleration with enough torque steer to remind you there’s serious power going through the front wheels. The magic happens in corners, though, where super-direct steering and that mechanical Torsen differential create genuine engagement.

The short wheelbase means it moves around just enough to feel alive without getting scary like a Giulia Quadrifoglio.

There’s an enthusiasm here that encourages you to explore the car’s limits – something many more powerful all-wheel-drive rivals simply don’t deliver. The suspension setup is slightly softer than the Abarth’s, adding compliance without spoiling the fun.

Dynamic mode switches off brake regeneration entirely for a more natural driving feel.

Pricing Reality Check

The Junior Veloce starts at £42,305 in a single trim level with two option packages available.

Standard equipment includes:

20-inch alloy wheels
LED lighting
Twin 10.25-inch displays
Automatic climate control
Adaptive cruise control

Want a reversing camera, built-in navigation, or Matrix headlights? That’s the £2,200 Technology Pack.

The Sabelt seats and sports details require another £2,200 Sports Pack, pushing the test car to £47,405.

Here’s the problem: that’s £2,320 more than the mechanically identical Abarth Scorpionissima for the base car. With options, the gap stretches to nearly £7,500. You’ll also pay the expensive car supplement – £1,700 extra over years two through five.

But the Scorpionissima is limited to 1,948 units worldwide. After that, only the lesser 227bhp Abarth will be available without the differential. If you want the full 276bhp and mechanical LSD, the Alfa might be your only choice.

The Bottom Line

This is absolutely a heart-over-head purchase. The Junior Veloce has obvious flaws – limited range, cramped rear seats, questionable interior materials, and that steep price.

But it’s a riot to drive.

Quick, sharp, and involving in ways that feel genuinely Alfa Romeo. This is a car you’ll drive just for the pleasure of it, not because you need to get somewhere.

The biggest challenge? That Abarth sibling offers the same thrills for thousands less. Whether you prefer the tracksuit tearaway or suited professional, both prove electrified Italian passion is very much alive.

Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce Specifications: