Alfa Romeo 147

The Alfa Romeo 147 is a decent enough thing to drive and still conspires to look better than most more modern rivals, but there’s better metal out there. Still, the safest way to earn your Alfa stripes and become a certified Sergeant in Clarkson’s petrolhead army.

• Comfort

  Oops. If you're tall the 147 will be a jail cell. Typical Italian long-arms-short-legs driving position can be an issue, as can headroom as the seats themselves sit quite high. There's also a fair amount of road noise and a decidedly wonky judder from some of the earlier cars over rough surfaces. Short people like them.

  

• Performance

  There's no GTA anymore, so if you want fast go for a diesel, seriously. The JTDM 1.9 16v Lusso is a lovely torquey engine with bags of flexibility that pips even the 2.0-litre petrol to 100km/h. The 1.6-litre petrol is noticeably slower, but as with all Alfas, pretty willing. Happily, there's no dog here and the 147 feels perky rather than manic.

  

• Cool

  Used to be very funky, less so now that the Brera has appeared. OK, so the 147 is more practical, but it's also been around for a lot longer, so interest has waned.

  

• Quality

  It shouldn't break by breathing on it, but be aware this isn't a Lexus.

  

• Handling

  Sporty for a hatch, the 147 has decent steering and a playful attitude but the diesels have a nasty torque-steer habit, especially pulling out of junctions in anything resembling damp conditions. A bit off the pace next to latest-generation Ford Focus.

  

• Practicality

  Not very big, with limited rear legroom. The boot's pretty tiny (280litres) compared to others in the sector too, so go and have a good poke around before you commit.

  

• Running costs

  Depreciation is bloody awful. Economy is pretty good, but you're best off buying secondhand and avoiding the initial hit.