2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe in Rosso Alfa Red
2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe in Rosso Alfa Red (a $1500 option)

Quick Spin2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe

Class: Premium Sporty/Performance Car

Miles driven: 454

Fuel used: 16.3 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 27.9 mpg

Driving mix: 35% city, 65% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 24/34/28 (city, highway, combined)

Base price: $55,900 (not including $1595 destination charge)

CG Report Card
Room and ComfortD-
Power and PerformanceA
Fit and FinishC
Fuel EconomyB+
ValueB-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big GuyF
Tall GuyD-
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Options on test vehicle: Rosso Alfa Red exterior paint ($1500), red leather-trimmed bucket seats ($1500), Coupe Convenience Group ($1400; adds security alarm, cruise control, and rear park-assist system), Coupe Track Package 1 ($2300; adds carbon-fiber rear spoiler, leather/microfiber steering wheel, and race-tuned suspension), Alfa Romeo red car cover ($400), carbon-fiber Italian-flag mirrors ($300), Bi-Xenon headlamps ($1000), Alpine audio system with subwoofer ($900), 18-inch (front) and 19-inch (rear) silver fan spoke wheels ($1800), Alfa Romeo battery charger ($150), leather-trimmed interior ($2000), Alfa Romeo Red Brembo brake calipers ($300)

Price as tested: $71,045

 

Quick Hits

The great: mid-engine exotic-car experience for under $100,000; pure, unfiltered performance

The good: Fuel economy

The not so good: Cramped interior, minuscule cargo room, harsh ride, pronounced cabin noise, pricey options, no power steering

More Alfa Romeo 4C price and availability information

 

CG Says:

If you’ve got a taste for something Italian, then the Alfa Romeo 4C may be a feast for the senses. Certainly, it’s a sight to see with its exotic-car styling and mid-engine layout. Few cars for sale anywhere will pose as consistent a challenge to your hearing. Heavily bolstered seats will grip you securely.

2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe, Rear View
The Alfa Romeo 4C can turn heads like few other sub-$100K cars can. If the aggressively swoopy bodywork doesn’t grab onlookers’ attention, the snarky bark from the 237-hp turbocharged 1.75-liter 4-cylinder will.

Speed and looks are the 4C’s chief benefits. It can be fairly easy on gas, too. We averaged 27.9 mpg over 454 miles, 35 percent of which were in city-style driving. Creature comforts—or the lack of them—will give some performance-car buyers pause. (Parallel parking with the meaty tires and no power steering left us feeling like the “after” picture in an exercise-machine ad.)

Test Drive: Alfa Romeo 4C and 4C Spider

2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe, Cabin
Even when dressed up with $3500 worth of leather upholstery and a $900 upgraded sound system with subwoofer, our 4C Coupe’s interior was performance first, creature comforts and occupant ergonomics a distant second.

At a starting price around $57,000 with delivery, the 4C isn’t going for crazy money considering the type of car that it is. However, too many options—a number of which are primarily for appearances—can upset that. Given the impossible rear vision, it seems the Coupe Convenience Group with rear parking assist is worth every penny of its $1400.

Check out all of our 4C coverage here.

Travelogue: “Tripping” in a 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C

 

2017 Alfa Romeo 4C
The 4C’s stubby 93.7-inch wheelbase (shorter than most subcompact cars) and abbreviated, low-slung profile make it clear that there’s almost no room for cargo (the front “hood” panel isn’t even removable, except for dealer service) and not much more room for occupants (plus-sized, non-limber folks need not apply).

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