Alfa Romeo GT

Our verdict

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.

9 out of 20

Performance

Not hugely fast, the GT. Only two engines since the V6 was discontinued, so you're looking at a 2.0-litre petrol or the 1.9 JTDM diesel. The petrol is faster but the more frugal diesel isn't far behind. The clincher is 45.6mpg for the diesel and just 32.5mpg for the petrol - that and in-gear torque you can mine coal with.

14 out of 20

Cool

Still got it, but fading.

10 out of 20

Quality

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

8 out of 20

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.

10 out of 20

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.

9 out of 20

Running costs

You need a diesel. Lowest insurance out of all the models (15) and the lowest company car tax hit at 20percent (the petrol is 29 per cent) and there's the small matter of nearly 45 per cent better fuel economy.

10 out of 20