Alfa Romeo has officially entered the compact SUV battlefield with a compelling new offering that promises to shake up the segment. The 2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida and Elettrica are being released in Australia in July, priced at $45,900 and $57,900 before on-road costs respectively, marking a significant milestone for the Italian brand as it expands into the increasingly popular small crossover market.
This isn’t just another badge-engineered effort from the Stellantis empire. The Junior represents Alfa Romeo’s ambitious attempt to capture a new generation of buyers while staying true to its sporting heritage. What makes this launch particularly noteworthy is that the Junior the cheapest Alfa Romeo offered locally since the Giulietta hatch was discontinued, finally giving the brand an accessible entry point into its lineup.
Two Powertrains, One Vision
The Junior arrives with dual personality disorder in the best possible way. Buyers can choose between the Ibrida (Italian for hybrid) and the fully electric Elettrica variants, each targeting different customer needs while maintaining Alfa Romeo’s DNA.
Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida: The Hybrid Approach
The Junior ‘Ibrida’ combines a 1.2L 3-cylinder 48V Hybrid VGT (Variable-Geometry Turbo) architecture granting 100kW and 230Nm to the front axle. This isn’t your typical mild-hybrid system either – the Ibrida features a 21kW electric motor built into its gearbox, and Alfa Romeo says this mild-hybrid technology allows it to run purely on electric power for certain low-speed manoeuvres like parking.
The sophisticated powertrain setup includes a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a 21kW electric motor built into the innovative 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, working together to deliver surprisingly capable performance. The Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida’s 134bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine gets it off the line quicker than a Jeep Avenger or Peugeot 2008, with 0-62mph taking 8.9 seconds.
What’s particularly impressive about the Ibrida’s electric assistance is its real-world capability. The advanced powertrain allows the car to go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds, with the top speed of 206 km, while electric driving is possible not only during parking manoeuvres or at low speeds in urban areas, but also out of town with a limited load at up to 150 km/h.
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica: Going Full Electric
The Elettrica represents Alfa Romeo’s first serious foray into the electric vehicle market. The first level is the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica, which makes 115 kW (154 bhp; 156 PS), and 260 N·m (192 ft·lb) of torque. It is front-wheel drive, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 9.0 seconds.
The electric powertrain utilizes a 54 kWh battery pack allows the Elettrica 410 kilometres (250 mi) of range, putting it squarely in competition with other compact electric SUVs. Charging capabilities are equally competitive, with Alfa Romeo claims the Elettrica takes 27 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 per cent using a 100kW DC charger.
Performance Flagship: The Veloce Edition
For those seeking maximum excitement, Alfa Romeo hasn’t forgotten its performance roots. The range-topping Veloce gets 278bhp, cutting the 0-62mph time to 6.0 seconds. Better still, it gets a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) to maximise traction. This variant receives serious engineering attention, including a faster steering rack, 25mm lower suspension, a wider track, stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars to limit body lean, bigger brake discs and 20in alloy wheels.
Design Language That Speaks Volumes
Aesthetically, the Junior makes a strong first impression. It’s 4.17m long, which is more than a supermini but not bloated, striking an ideal balance between maneuverability and presence. The design team has crafted something distinctly Alfa Romeo, featuring a scudetto shield front grille, hidden rear door handles, “3+3” adaptive full LED matrix headlights and a black trim piece surrounding the taillights.
The exterior draws inspiration from Alfa Romeo’s greatest hits, with the rear invokes the iconic ‘Kamm tail,’ in a reference to the legendary Giulia TZ. Design elements like distinctive wheelarches and a ‘floating’ roof with a blacked-out rear pillar help to give it a sporty stance ensure the Junior stands out in crowded parking lots.
Color options reflect Alfa Romeo’s Italian heritage, with the Junior comes standard in White Sempione with a black roof, though the following finishes are available for an extra $1990, all featuring a black roof.
Interior Space and Technology
Inside, the Junior offers a surprisingly spacious environment for its compact footprint. Even if you’re 6ft tall you’ll have no issues when sitting up front in the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida. Indeed, you’ll have plenty of head and leg room, and enough shoulder room. However, rear passenger space requires some compromise, as taller people will find space in the rear quite tight, with the Ibrida offering less head and leg room than most rivals.
The cabin design emphasizes Alfa Romeo’s sporting character with all Juniors in Australia come with a black interior featuring red accents on the leatherette/cloth upholstery. Technology features are competitive for the segment, with Elettrica Speciale models add some useful equipment, such as a reversing camera and keyless entry.
Standard equipment levels are generous across the range, with the Junior Ibrida and Elettrica have essentially the same level of standard equipment. Optional extras include a sunroof is available for $1990.
Platform Sharing Done Right
While purists might worry about platform sharing, Alfa Romeo has executed this smartly. Built in Tychy, Poland – something that necessitated a name change from Milano after an uproar from the Italian government – the Junior shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Avenger. The Junior uses the platform basics of multiple other Stellantis small cars; from superminis to crossovers from Peugeot, Vauxhall, DS, Jeep, Fiat and Lancia.
However, Alfa Romeo has differentiated the Junior significantly from its platform siblings through careful tuning and engineering. Both Juniors feature MacPherson strut front suspension, with a solid beam axle at the rear, but the devil is in the details of suspension tuning and steering calibration.
Driving Dynamics and DNA System
True to Alfa Romeo tradition, the Junior incorporates the brand’s DNA drive mode system. Like other Alfa Romeo models, the Junior gets switchable “DNA” drive modes – Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency – which allow you to adjust the weight of the steering and the accelerator response.
The engineering team has focused extensively on driving dynamics. The Junior only takes a few moments to realise that Alfa Romeo has put serious work into how the Junior Elettrica handles. As you turn in to a corner, you find that the steering is quick, direct and well-weighted. Even the base models deliver engaging dynamics, as lower-powered Junior Elettricas are pretty fun and sharp to drive too. They manage body lean well and the steering is more accurate than on an equivalent Jeep Avenger Electric, Peugeot e-2008, Vauxhall Mokka Electric or Volvo EX30.
Warranty and Service Support
Alfa Romeo backs the Junior with comprehensive warranty coverage. The Alfa Romeo Junior is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance for the same period. The Elettrica’s high-voltage battery is also backed for eight years or 160,000km. This coverage demonstrates confidence in the product while providing peace of mind for buyers.
Market Positioning and Value Proposition
The Junior enters a fiercely competitive segment, but its pricing strategy appears well-calculated. The Ibrida is $5000 cheaper than the larger (but also mild-hybrid) Tonale small SUV, creating clear differentiation within Alfa Romeo’s own lineup. Against competitors, the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida will cost you slightly more than an entry-level Jeep Avenger but less than most of its other rivals, including the Peugeot 2008 and VW T-Roc.
From a value retention perspective, early predictions suggest strong performance. The Junior Ibrida is predicted to hold on to its value pretty well, depreciating more slowly than all its small SUV rivals, which could significantly impact total ownership costs.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Junior represents more than just another small SUV launch – it’s a statement of intent from a brand determined to remain relevant in today’s market while preserving its sporting soul. The dual powertrain approach addresses different customer needs without diluting the brand’s identity.
With competitive pricing starting at $45,900 for the Ibrida and $57,900 for the Elettrica, the Junior offers genuine choice in the compact SUV segment. While it shares bones with other Stellantis products, Alfa Romeo’s engineering team has successfully differentiated the driving experience to justify the premium.
Whether you choose the efficient hybrid Ibrida or the silent electric Elettrica, the Junior promises to deliver that intangible Alfa Romeo character that has captivated enthusiasts for generations. For a brand that has struggled with volume sales, the Junior might just be the right car at the right time.