2010 Alfa Romeo 147 Review
Price
from: RM185,650
to: RM310,650
Installment
from: RM1,771/mth
to: RM2,963/mth
2010 Alfa Romeo 147 at a glance
Sure, the 2010 Alfa Romeo 147 carries the Alfa Romeo charm, along with plenty of style, outside and inside. But on the roads, the chassis feels dated, letting down the strong engines. Rear seating and luggage space is poor by class standards as well.
2010 Alfa Romeo 147 quick specs
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Class | Small Luxury |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2010 Alfa Romeo 147 ratings (overall rating : 3.5/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
Alfa Romeo has always led in the styling department, and the 147 is no exception. The front end treatment is similar to all other Alfa Romeo models'. Love it or hate it, the off-centre number plate positioning certainly is unique. The GTA adds aggressive styling kit for a sportier look. The interior dash is well-designed, with somewhat retro-looking instruments. Overall, styling is where the 2010 Alfa Romeo 147 truly stands out against rivals.
Handling
The 2010 Alfa Romeo 147 gives the impression of a sporty hatch with its relatively quick steering. Push harder and you will find the body control to be nowhere as good as the Volkswagen Golf GTI's. Comparing the two available variants in Malaysia, the 2.0 offers a better drive, even though the GTA is positioned as the sportier version; with a big heavy engine up-front, the ranger-topper GTA grapples for front-end grip in a corner.
Comfort
The attempt at offering a good drive sacrifices ride comfort, as the 2010 Alfa Romeo 147 can get uncomfortably crashy over Malaysian roads. Road noise is reasonably well-contained, and the engine note of the 3.2-litre V6 in the GTA is more pleasing than noisy to us. The seating position is sporty but can do with more back support. Steering wheel adjustments are easy-to-use and two-way. The controls require some time to familiarise, with a layout that can be more logical.
Quality + Reliability
To be sure, Alfa Romeo has stepped up the quality and reliability in all models. But the standard in the 2010 Alfa Romeo 147 falls short of premium rivals'. Although the dashboard mainly consists of plastics, the quality is good, looking and feeling up to Volkswagen standards. The fit-and-finish are commendable as well. According to recent JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, the mechanical reliability of Alfa Romeo models requires improvement.
Performance
The 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine has 150 bhp on tap while the 3.2-litre V6 engine has 250 bhp. Official 0-100 km/h figures are stated as 9.3 secs and 6.3 secs, respectively. The on-road performances are excellent, both feeling like there are more power on tap than the figures show. The 2.0-litre engine is fitted with the Selespeed transmission, and the GTA with a six-speed manual gearbox. While both are flawed, they at least make good use of the engines' power.
Roominess
As in most hatchbacks, the front two get comfortable seating with plenty of room. The back can accommodate two adults in relative comfort, but becomes tight for three. Despite the split-fold rear seats, luggage space is disappointing. The 2010 Alfa Romeo 147's space and practicality fall way short of rivals', specifically the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 Sportback.
Running Costs
Running costs are high, no thanks to the thirsty 2.0-litre engine, let alone the 3.2-litre V6 engine, which buyers are likely to drive even more aggressively. The Alfa Romeo 147's depreciation is expected to be higher than for premium rivals. Servicing and insurance will be hefty, once again especially for the 3.2-litre V6 engine. Road tax will be in excess of RM 2K for the GTA.
Value for Money
Alfa Romeo positions itself as a premium brand, and the pricing for both variants at RM 186K and RM 311K reflect that. Buyers of the 2010 Alfa Romeo 147 get style, a decent drive and a good equipment list. For 147 GTA buyers, there is a powerful engine. But for a RM 15K premium over the 147 2.0, you can buy the Volkswagen Golf GTI. And the Volkswagen Golf R32 costs RM 303K, appearing like a value buy next to the 147 GTA.
Equipment
The 2010 Alfa Romeo 147's equipment list is comprehensive. The expected stereo and creature comforts are all present. Six airbags are standard. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), traction control and Electronic Brakeforce Distributor (EBD) are standard for the 2.0. The sophisticated anti-skid system is only found on the GTA.
Environment
Both engines emit more carbon dioxide and drink more petrol than in comparable cars. Malaysia may not care much about emissions and the resulting pollution, but more efficient engines consume less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide at the same time. This is an area Alfa Romeo needs to pay attention to.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Stylish looks
Well-designed cabin
Strong engines
Drive and ride could be better for an Alfa
Rear seating and luggage space is limited
Poor fuel economy
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