2020 Alfa Romeo

 

 

The 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C ranks at the back of the luxury sports car class. The 4C accelerates quickly and feels agile, but these perks are overshadowed by its snug cabin and harsh ride.

 

Pros & Cons

Razor-sharp handling

Strong acceleration

Good fuel economy

Cramped two-seat interior

Harsh ride

Few tech and safety features

New for 2020

Limited-edition 4C Spider Italia trim joins lineup

Features & Specs

 

Rankings & Research

The 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C's #17 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Sports Cars category. Currently the Alfa Romeo 4C has a score of 6.0 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 27 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.

 

 

See the full Luxury Sports Cars rankings »

 Is the Alfa Romeo 4C a Good Car? 

No, the 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C isn’t a good car. The 4C has a loud and cramped interior with few amenities. It’s uncomfortable for daily driving thanks to its heavy steering and firm sport-tuned suspension. Also, rear visibility and cargo space are in short supply.

 

Sure, the 4C’s potent engine and sharp handling are commendable, but overall, this soft-top convertible gives up too much refinement in its pursuit of performance.

 

Should I Buy the Alfa Romeo 4C?

Skip the 4C. There are many alternatives in the luxury sports car segment that offer sizzling acceleration and poised handling but with a smoother ride and a much comfier interior. Some even cost a lot less than the 4C, like the Porsche Boxster and Toyota Supra.

 

Compare the 4C, Boxster, and Supra »

 

 

 

Should I Buy a New or Used Alfa Romeo 4C?

Alfa Romeo launched the 4C as an all-new sports car for the 2015 model year. It was initially offered in two body styles: coupe and convertible (or Spider). There haven’t been many updates over the years, so you can likely save money shopping for an older 4C while still finding the same performance and many of the same features that you’d get in a new 4C.

 

That said, there are a few details to consider. The convertible model was skipped for 2017 but returned for 2018. The coupe model was discontinued altogether for 2019. Also for 2019, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors became standard.

 

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2017 4C, 2018 4C, and 2019 4C reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts you can find on used vehicles.

 

 

How Much Does the Alfa Romeo 4C Cost?

The 2020 4C has a base price of $67,150. The price rises to about $72,000 for the limited-edition 4C Spider Italia model. These prices aren’t unheard of in the luxury sports car class, but most direct competitors cost a few thousand dollars less than the 4C, including the BMW Z4 ($49,700), Mercedes-Benz SLC ($49,950), and Jaguar F-Type convertible ($64,700).

 

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Alfa Romeo dealer.

 

4C Performance

4C Engine: Big Power in a Small Package

The Alfa Romeo 4C has a 1.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard.

 

This engine may be small, but it packs a hefty punch. The 4C can sprint from zero to 60 mph in just over four seconds. The engine’s power delivery is especially intoxicating - there’s a slight lull as you press the throttle, followed by a wave of torque that slingshots the car up to speed. Once moving, there’s almost no turbo lag.

 

The dual-clutch transmission changes gears quickly, and it can be operated manually using the steering wheel shift paddles. Some of the shifts are a little rough in stop-and-go traffic, though.

 

4C Gas Mileage: Surprisingly Efficient

The Alfa Romeo 4C gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. That’s better fuel economy than most vehicles in the luxury sports car class.

 

4C Ride and Handling: Road-Legal Race Car

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a blast to drive on a switchback road or a racetrack. The 4C slices around turns with almost no body roll. At speed, the steering is quick and responsive, and the big Brembo brakes slow down the 4C assertively.

 

It’s a different animal on everyday city streets, though. The stiff suspension jostles the 4C around uncomfortably over bumps and dips, and hitting larger potholes can be downright painful. The rack and pinion steering is quite heavy at lower speeds as well, making the 4C tough to maneuver and park in tight spaces. Power steering isn’t available. This is not a car you’d want to commute in on a daily basis.

 

 

4C Interior

 

 

 

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a two-seat convertible. These seats provide good lateral support, but they aren’t comfortable on longer trips thanks to their minimal padding and adjustability. It almost feels like you’re sitting bolt upright. There also isn’t much interior space, so taller adults will surely feel cramped. Worse still, it’s awkward getting in and out of the 4C because of its wide door sills. Outward visibility is poor to the sides and rear.

 

Leather upholstery and manually adjustable seats are standard in all models.

 

4C and Child Car Seats

Like many two-seat sports cars, the 4C does not have LATCH connectors. We don’t recommend installing a car seat in any vehicle without these connectors.

 

4C Interior Quality

The 4C looks and feels like a race car on the inside. There are minimal distractions, swathes of black plastic, and a few areas of exposed carbon fiber. It’s cool but not luxurious.

 

This Alfa Romeo isn’t quiet, however. The 4C’s four-cylinder engine is mounted right behind the seats, so there’s constant noise and vibrations. Road and wind noise is prominent as well. This can become tiring on long trips.

 

4C Cargo Space

The 4C has just under 4 cubic feet of trunk space. That’s not much room at all, and it’s barely enough to fit two duffle bags. This space shrinks even more when stowing the soft-top roof. The trunk can also get quite hot: It’s located right next to the engine.

 

4C Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

 

The 4C has a sparse list of tech features. These include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a USB port, Bluetooth, and an Alpine head unit with HD Radio and satellite radio. This stereo has poor sound quality and tiny buttons that are hard to press. The 4C also lacks features that you’ll find in many less expensive cars, like a touch screen, navigation, and Apple CarPlay.

 

On the plus side, the climate controls are all simple to use and within easy reach.

 

Read more about interior »

 

4C Reliability

Alfa Romeo 4C Warranty

Alfa Romeo covers the 4C with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Insure an Alfa Romeo 4C?

The cost of insuring an Alfa Romeo 4C will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.

 

4C Safety

4C Crash Test Results

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C. This is common among luxury vehicles.

 

4C Safety Features

The 4C comes standard with a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. No active safety features, such as blind spot monitoring or forward collision warning, are available.

 

4C Dimensions and Weight

The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is 13.1 feet long. Its curb weight is 2,487 pounds.

 

Where Is the 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Built?

Alfa Romeo builds the 2020 4C in Italy.

 

Which Alfa Romeo 4C Model Is Right for Me?

The 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is available in only two trims: base and Italia. Opt for the limited-edition Italia model if exclusivity is important to you - the company is producing just 15 of these convertibles. Otherwise, stick with the standard 4C Spider, and you’ll save about $5,000.

 

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

The base model 4C Spider has a starting price of $67,150. This two-seat convertible is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a dual-clutch automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive.

 

 

 

Standard features include a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, an Alpine stereo with HD Radio and satellite radio, Bluetooth, a USB port, and keyless entry. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles, four-way adjustable leather seats, a leather-wrapped dashboard, a cloth soft top, staggered 17- and 18-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, and Brembo brakes are also standard.

 

Options are few and far between, but these items include staggered 18- and 19-inch wheels, a stiffer track-tuned suspension, an Akrapovic dual-mode exhaust, and carbon fiber interior trim.

 

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia

The limited-edition 4C Spider Italia has a starting MSRP of $72,150. This model is painted in Misano Blue Metallic paint, and it adds aluminum dashboard trim and a numbered plate on the center console (1