2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Review

Name: 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Review
Brand: Alfa Romeo
Price: 28442 USD

Price Estimate: $28,442 - $34,313

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Cameron Rogers^{Manager, Written Content
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. As a manager of written content, he writes and edits the reviews that help consumers find their perfect car. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Handling is razor-sharp
Sparse availability and limited appeal guarantee exclusivity
Fuel economy estimates are good and achievable in the real world
Exotic looks are guaranteed to draw attention

Cons

Ride is crushingly harsh, notably with the high-performance suspension
Few interior creature comforts and almost no cargo or storage space
Rearward visibility is poor
Steering is high effort at low speeds

What's new

Coupe has been discontinued, so the convertible (Spider) is the only body style available
Rearview camera, rear parking sensors and cruise control are now standard
Last year's Track package has been discontinued; its features are available as stand-alone options
Part of the first 4C generation introduced for 2015

For most people, buying a mid-engine Italian sports car would involve taking out another mortgage on the house, dipping into the kids' college funds or living a second life — think one certain famous fictional high school chemistry teacher. Yet those same people might be surprised to learn that one can get such a car with a relatively modest financial payout: the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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Unlike more expensive Italian hardware, the 4C is a no-frills two-seater. It has more in common with the Lotus Elise than a Ferrari 488. After climbing over a high, wide doorsill, the driver plops onto a thinly padded seat to survey an oddly designed cabin filled with exotic materials. The 4C is obsessive about keeping weight low; there's not even carpeting on the exposed carbon-fiber tub. Bashing your knees against the granite-hard surface isn't uncommon during hard cornering.

And there will be a lot of hard cornering. The 4C's ability to stick to the road while bombing through tight, twisty turns is why you buy it in the first place. It changes direction as quickly as you can turn the wheel, which isn't as easy as it sounds. Unlike any other modern vehicle, the 4C forgoes power assist steering to both save weight and add to steering feedback. It takes a firm hand to wrestle the wheel around a parking lot, although effort lightens at higher speeds.

All of the 4C's quirks add up to a hardcore sports car that offers unparalleled driver control and feedback at this price level. The downsides are many, however. The rough ride, very heavy steering, and difficult entry and exit process are tough to deal with when performing simple tasks like going to the grocery store. These, combined with a clunky dual-clutch transmission and almost nonexistent storage space, effectively relegate it to weekend toy status. Similarly priced competitors, such as the Chevrolet Corvette, the Jaguar F-Type and the Porsche Boxster, offer a similar level of performance but are much more usable and could serve as a primary driving vehicle.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.0 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider (turbo 1.7L inline-4 | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic | RWD).

Scorecard

Overall	6.0 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	5.5
Interior	5.5
Utility	4.5
Technology	4.5

Driving

7.0

With its turbocharged mid-engine layout and high-effort controls, the 4C commands a driver's respect and delivers a high sensation of speed. When driven in its sweet spot, the 4C is rewarding and feels like a modern classic. But you should pick something else if you're looking for a daily driver.

Acceleration

7.0

The 4C typically leaves the line cleanly and is followed by the sensation of a wave of power as the engine spins up and the boost builds. Launch control is effective, but acceleration to 60 mph — 5 seconds flat — proves relatively unimpressive for the class.

Braking

7.0

The brakes require a lot of effort to work and are a hassle in everyday driving. But they have tip-of-the-toe control (thanks to a floor-pivot pedal), respond well to performance braking, and deliver a ton of feedback. A stopping distance of 107 feet from 60 mph is great, but the experience is lively.

Steering

7.5

There is no power assist. Steering effort is extremely high from a stop but decreases with speed. Feedback is there in droves but so is bump steer, and the level of sensitivity is sometimes overwhelming. On-center feel is excellent, but there's a weird dead zone right off center.

Handling

7.0

Its lightweight, sticky tires and stiff suspension give drivers the ability to carry high cornering speeds, but its sensitivity to road bumps or grooves quickly saps confidence. The 4C changes direction as quickly as you can move the wheel and responds well to changes in throttle, but it's a handful.

Drivability

7.0

Normal mode produces fairly relaxed drivability, though the dual-clutch auto transmission's shifting can be lazy. Dynamic mode is where the fun is at, and it works decently for more spirited street driving. The paddle shifters are great for twisty roads.

Comfort

5.5

For track enthusiasts, the 4C is great. It has supportive leather bucket seats and air conditioning, which are luxuries for aficionados. But those who plan on street driving it more than occasionally will quickly grow weary of the stiff ride, loud cabin and uncompromising seats.

Seat comfort

6.0

The fixed-back seats have a fairly ergonomically friendly shape. The bolsters are deep and supportive at the thighs but widespread at the seatback. The thin padding transmits all manner of bumps and vibration directly onto your spine. During pure performance driving, the comfort issues seem to melt away.

Ride comfort

5.5

Because of its stiff suspension tuning, the 4C follows road contours and irregularities with laser-like precision. Rolling bumps are less of an issue, but the shock from hard-edge bumps, such as those from grates and potholes, are readily transmitted into the cabin.

Noise & vibration

3.0

The 4C is a very loud car. The level of engine and wind noise is the biggest problem, followed by road noise, pebbles, rocks, and other debris bouncing off the bottom of the carbon-fiber tub and wheelwells. Forget conversation and consider earplugs for longer drives. Engine and road vibrations are ever present.

Climate control

6.5

The single-zone, non-automatic air-conditioning system is pretty basic and has chunky knobs for ease of use. The fan motor is loud at its highest setting yet doesn't move a lot of air. It is sufficient enough to cool the tiny cabin, assuming the top is up.

Interior

5.5

The interior looks nice and minimalistic, but it lacks the friendlier ergonomics of other modern sports cars. Getting in and situated inside the cabin is akin to a warrior donning armor; it's rigid, claustrophobic and meant for business. If you're considering a 4C, it won't be for its touring comfort.

Ease of use

7.0

The transmission control buttons are unconventional ("1" is for drive, "A/M" swaps from auto and manual shift), but the rest of the car is straightforward and all controls are close at hand. All switches are solid and well-labeled. But parts of the gauge cluster are covered by the wheel.

Getting in/getting out

4.0

A low seat height, small door opening (when the roof is on), intrusive seat bolsters, and wide doorsills mean getting in and out is no graceful feat. And caution must be exercised when opening the door; its featherlight weight and lack of detents mean it can go flying open into things.

Driving position

6.0

The 4C's seating position is conducive to performance driving, but the fixed backs don't make for a comfortable cruising position. The seat can adjust fore and aft with a minimal amount of tilt, but there's no height adjustment. The steering column is also minimally adjustable for tilt and reach.

Roominess

5.0

Compared to other two-seaters in the class from mainstream makers, the 4C feels tiny inside. Hiproom and shoulder room are marginal for the average adult, while all other measurements feel claustrophobic. It looks larger from the outside.

Visibility

6.0

The 4C's visibility is compromised because you sit so deep in the car. The view directly out the back is hampered by a high decklid and small rear window, and rear three-quarter views are nonexistent due to the roof's roll-hoop structure. Thank goodness for the rear parking sensors.

Quality

7.5

Some details lack finishing, such as the inside of the engine compartment and control stalks, but most of the other areas are well put-together. The materials are excellent in quality, with supple leather on the seats and steering wheel, real carbon-fiber accents, and red contrast stitching.

Convertible top

7.0

You can easily remove the top by untwisting two thumb fasteners that secure the fabric to the top of the window frame. Then you slide back four spring-loaded latches at each end of the roof supports. There are no other battens or ribs. The hardest part of the process is opening the rear hatch to store it.

Utility

4.5

The small trunk is better than nothing. But the lid is heavy, and you need two hands to set it open. The compartment gets hot next to the engine. The inside isn't much better, with no real storage areas.

Small-item storage

4.0

There is virtually no interior space for items, which is surprising, even for the class. Underneath the parking brake lever is a shallow tray about the size of an average wallet. Leather-wrapped nodes in between the seat and frame feature a single slit that's barely big enough for a plus-size phone.

Cargo space

5.0

The rear trunk is small, just barely fitting one carry-on bag, and the manual prop rod makes for inconvenient loading. You wouldn't be able to store the top in there along with a carry-on bag, so top-free road trips will be tricky. This Alfa is a small car, but you knew that already.

Child safety seat accommodation

3.0

There are no LATCH anchors, but there is a tether behind the passenger seat, near the floor. The tight door opening will make fitting a child seat extremely difficult.

Technology

4.5

This is one of the 4C's weakest links but also an easy fix. Dash real estate is limited, so a proper infotainment system was always going to be difficult to integrate. But there are better options in the aftermarket than what you get from the Alfa factory.

Audio & navigation

4.0

The stereo is an off-the-shelf Alpine head unit. It's not intuitive, and frankly better aftermarket head units are available. Audio quality is subpar, but that's less of an issue considering how loud the cabin is. There is no navigation system.

Smartphone integration

5.0

We found Bluetooth pairing to be hit or miss, even when we followed directions. When it works, the system is satisfactory, though it's hard to hear over the interior noise. The USB cord is located in a pouch at the bottom of the passenger-side dash, which is a ridiculous solution in this day and age.

Compare 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2019 Alfa Romeo 4C models

The 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C should only be considered by buyers willing to live with the inherent day-to-day difficulties of driving a seriously hardcore mid-engine sports car. Its no-frills attitude is reflected in its skimpy list of standard and optional features. After all, more features make for a heavier car, and the 4C is all about keeping the weight down. If you should want a few extras, the Convenience package adds a few luxury elements, the Track package includes performance upgrades, and the Carbon Fiber Interior Trim package is self-explanatory.

The 4C is powered by a turbocharged 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine (237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque) paired to a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Standard equipment includes a 17-inch (front) and 18-inch (rear) wheels, summer performance tires, LED running lights and taillights, a manually operated soft top, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, heated mirrors, cruise control, power accessories, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, a 7-inch driver information display, Bluetooth connectivity, and an Alpine sound system with a CD player, a USB port and satellite and HD radio. There's also a small leather pouch behind the center armrest to store small items.

Notable stand-alone options include xenon headlights, 18-inch (front) and 19-inch (rear) wheels, a more stiffly tuned suspension, carbon-fiber mirrors, a steering wheel wrapped in leather and faux suede, leather upholstery with faux suede inserts and an Akrapovič dual-mode exhaust. Additional carbon-fiber styling elements are included with the Carbon Fiber Interior Trim package. Ordering the optional subwoofer brings the removal of the storage pouch behind the center armrest.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl Turbo 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.08 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$179/mo

$160/mo

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Alfa Romeo 4C Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.9

10 reviews

5(90%)

4(10%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

A true exotic that you need to drive to believe

bruinnut, 01/20/2016

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

This car is not for everyone. It is not for those who want to drive a ubiquitous people mover from point A to point B. It is not for those who want to be in a cocoon separated from the road and without feel for the spirit of enjoyment on the road. But if you want a car that inspires, that will keep a smile on your face, that allows you to understand the relationship between road and … machine in the most intimate and spirited detail, then the Alfa Romeo 4C is the only car south of $300k that will punch your ticket. The 4C is beautiful and masterful inside and out. The cockpit is made entirely of carbon fiber. The panels are made of high strength and lightweight sheet moulding compound. The engine is a highly tuned turbocharged 4 cylinder mid-mounted masterpiece, that delivers a cacophony of sounds that will let the driver know exactly how much fun it is having. The gearbox is a choice of paddle shifters or automatic, with a driver-selected all weather, normal, dynamic, or race mode. The cockpit is made for the driver. The controls are tilted to the left; the steering wheel is not a joystick with volume controls, bluetooth buttons, navigation, or cruise control. It is made to steer and to allow you to easily shift gears. The seats are firm, comfortable, and supportive. If you want a bunch of buttons to move it up and down, inflate a back bolster, or cradle you with cushions, circulating air, and heat, look elsewhere. If you want simple and comfortable functionality, then this seat is perfect. When on a drive, please plan extra time for taking the long way home, to the office, to the gas station, or anywhere else. You'll want to take that extra turn to stay behind the wheel. And when you park it or stop to get gas or groceries, get ready for folks you don't know to spill out and engage you in conversation as they daydream about driving your car. Yes, it is that amazing. Update after 9 months of ownership: The 4C still puts a smile on my face every time I start it up. I've taken some day-long trips and the supercar has performed flawlessly. So far, there have been no technical or mechanical issues with the vehicle. The 4C is a rare vehicle and will certainly continue to turn heads for years to come, both for its sheer beauty and design, but also because it will prove to be a timeless sportscar. By the way, the 4C won't be around for ever. If you want to experience a true supercar at a BMW coupe price, now's the time.

If you like 80's exotics, this car is for you.

bob, 03/18/2016

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

It's been said before -- this car is not for everyone. But, if you love driving a light, tight, awesome looking, sensory overkill fast sports car, this is your vehicle. The 4c is unlike anything else on the road today -- and thank heavens for it. Now, if you want comfort, quiet, listening to your tunes while drinking a latte, and wanting to be unseen when puttering around town, then … this is not your car. Enjoy your Lexus. Pros: Just a blast to drive. Its "honest" which in itself is unique today. Nothing is covered up or added simply to fool anyone. It's the real deal, not fake. It's exciting, refreshing and unlike any other car made today. It's obviously hand built and fit and finish is better than most exotics. The beautiful carbon fibre interior will make your eyes water every time you look inside. The noise from the turbo charger waste gates will make you laugh out loud. It sounds a like 80's rally cars and seems to go like one as well. Performance is more than fine for city streets. You can floor it and run it through the gears without being tossed in jail. The F1 style gearbox works remarkably well -- better than a Ferrari F430. What's also surprised me is how reliable it has been. In a year of ownership, not one thing has gone wrong. To say I was expecting something different is an understatement. And the car is just beautiful, along with being completely unique. If you want people to look at you, buy this car. Between the noise and the looks you'll be a rock star on the boulevard. Service is also very reasonable. Yearly service on the car is only $240. Try that in a Ferrari or Lamborghini. Cons: Ok, it's noisy, And the wide body and doors do make it difficult to park in a normal parking space. And it's a pain to get in and out of. And it's a bit difficult to see out the back of. And the trunk is ridiculously small. And the trunk latch is in a silly place. And the seats are tight. And the seats don't move a lot. And the seat belt warning buzzer is annoying. And it has no GPS. And the seat belts rub against your neck. And there's no glove box. And there's these silly wires coming out from under the dash to charge your phone. And the cup holders don't hold larger drinks. And it has some turbo lag. And if you want to put things in the trunk, you have to put them on the ground first because you need both hands to open and latch the rear lid. And it has no power steering so parking can require some actual muscle use. And if you're over 6 foot 3 you're going to say it's too small. And if you're too wide the seats are going to be uncomfortable. And it doesn't come with a manual gearbox. And there's no climate control. And the Parrot radio is a complete joke. So if the Cons have turned you off by now, then you know this car is not for you. But if you love the idea of driving an 80's exotic with all of it's drama, feel, personality and looks BUT with AC and brakes that actually work in a car that doesn't fall apart before your eyes and is reasonably affordable to own, then this car is for you. I personally love it. You can thrash it unlike you can other more expensive sports cars and it only costs about the same as the 10,000 Corvette C7's you see everyday. Thank heavens for Alfa Romeo. Someone was nutty enough to make a car a real drivers car today that doesn't seem like every other car you drive. I don't think we will ever see anything like it again that us normal folk can afford. Its a modern classic with a classic personality. Now, how cool is that?

Most fun car I have ever owned

4C4ME, 03/16/2016

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)

If you love to drive - this is your car. It is fast, corners well, creates conversations and makes you smile! I have never enjoyed driving so much. Until I owned this car I was never a "car guy". Now I am. Best decision I ever made. This is a true sports car, not a GTO, not a family car. It is uncompromising and unapologetic. The best comment I ever heard that perfectly …

Alfa Lovers Only

Phil Berry, 04/16/2016