Alfa Romeo 159

In the Alfa Romeo 159, at last they have made a car capable of being taken seriously against the Germans. The 159 is better than the 156 it replaces in every single area, but still looks better than should be possible. All we need to fear now is fear itself – the 159 has a dodgy reliability image.

• Comfort

  Finally people of all sizes should fit. It's got more space all round than the 156 which it replaces, but feels sporty and intimate. The ride can get a bit nervous over bobbly surfaces, shuddering slightly when it gets confused by the slightly too-hard damping, but generally it's great.

  

• Performance

  If you want anything respectable then you're looking for the 136kW, 2.2. Best of all are the lovely-but-lazy 191kW, 3.2-litre V6 (which is 250kg heavier than the fours) or the brilliant diesels.

  

• Cool

  Off the scale. One of the most resolved sedans out there. We like it more than is strictly legal. Even in Holland.

  

• Quality

  So much better than the horror stories that Alfa deserves a medal. There have been electrical gremlins and we have heard that there are niggles with the Selespeed transmission but nothing that a dealer can't sort. Play on their insecurities, it'll work wonders.

  

• Handling

  A proper Alfa this; accurate steering - even if it is a bit on the numb side - coupled to a lively chassis make the 159 feel faster than it is. More fun than you have any right to expect from a front-wheel drive sedan. The Q4 4x4 variant is a joy too - think good-looking Mitsubishi Evo. At 250kg more than the four-pots, it can feel fat and underpowered though.

  

• Practicality

  Space inside is on par with everyone else in the sector. Rear-seat passengers may be a bit cramped, but nothing that Valium can't cure. There's a big, 405-litre boot, too.

  

• Running costs

  Alarm at Alfa's reliability history means that these things drop quite heavily over two years. And they tend to be cheap in the first place.