Alfa Romeo GT

The Alfa Romeo GT is a booted coupe that’s best sampled as a diesel. Looks good, but be sure to buy a well-sorted one – it might be prettier than a TT, but it will also probably be tiresomely stroppier.

• Comfort

  Not the most silky of companions from a ride point of view, and a bit tight inside. A short window line makes for a gloomy cabin, and the rear seats are for hated second or third children only. Still, it's quiet and tidy on the motorway.

  

• Performance

  Not hugely fast, the GT. Comes in two engine variants, a 2.0i and a 3.2i V6. The front drive layout is overwhelmed by the 176kW and manages to scramble to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

  

• Cool

  Still got it, but fading.

  

• Quality

  Still has that last-generation Alfa feel to it. Beware if you like your plastics matte and your damping just-so.

  

• Handling

  Press the throttle, then say hello to torque-steer. And a love of camber. The GT does well, really, but feels a generation off the pace in terms of the ride/handling compromise when it bumps over lumps like a cart. The Q2 variant gets a limited-slip diff, but realistically you need to just drive a bit slower.

  

• Practicality

  Typical Alfa in that if you're under six-foot you'll be OK in the front if not swimming in room. If you're in the back you might worry about the health of your legs below the knee. Boot has a big lip and weird aperture, so be wary if you lug stuff a lot.

  

• Running costs

  Well it's an Alfa so its definately going to brake-down and cost you millions in specially ordered Italian parts. Fuel consumption in the 2.0i isn't all that bad, averaging 8.7L/100km while the 3.2i manages to explode 12.4L/100km.