Alfa Romeo Junior 2025 review: Ibrida MHEV - International first drive

Pricing remains under wraps, but we understand the Junior Ibrida mild hybrid (MH) will start from under $50,000, making it Australia’s least-expensive new Alfa.

It will join the Junior Elettrica electric-vehicle (EV) version, also due soon.

That sub-$50K kick-off means the Ibrida is out to lure one of the few premium small SUV hybrids (Lexus LBX), but in reality, it’s keenly priced enough to also pull buyers away from the petrol-powered Audi Q2, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Mini Countryman and Volvo XC40.

To highlight its value credentials, there’s plenty packed inside, including keyless entry/go, LED matrix headlights, twin 10.25-inch display screens, wireless connectivity and phone charging, powered and heated front sports seats, a powered driver’s seat with massage function, rear privacy glass, paddle shifters, aluminium trim bits, a hands-free/powered tailgate, a body kit, two-tone paint and 18-inch alloys.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida

Note, though, the spare wheel has been usurped by a tyre inflation kit.

There’s also a whole suite of advanced driver-assist safety (ADAS) technology, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-support systems. More on that in the Safety section below.

Alfa parent Stellantis will reveal further information closer to the Junior’s arrival in the third quarter, but the specs look promising, particularly for the money.

And, speaking of looks…

Forget every tired old cliché about Italian-car packaging and quality. Though a tad smaller inside than many small SUVs, the Junior is far from flawed.

Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a cossetting and supportive set of front seats, facing a smartly designed and executed dash that ably melds brand heritage with modernity.

The former is found in the deeply-hooded double-binnacle digital instrumentation (echoes of the company’s 1300 Junior of the ‘60s) and circular outboard vents, while the driver-angled 10.25-inch touchscreen is a nice contemporary touch. No issues with its layout or operation, either. It’s fast and logical.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida

The point is, with sound build quality and pleasing little details that elevate the experience, this is a classy cabin execution, juxtaposed with all the practical stuff.

That is, an excellent driving position, handsome multi-configurable instrumentation, easy reach of most controls, physical buttons for the (effective) climate system, sufficient storage including cupholders, handy USB outlets, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity… that sort of thing.

Complaints? The touchscreen is set a bit too low, meaning a glance down is required instead of eyes up on the road. In the black-trimmed test car there may be a sense of claustrophobia for some. And vision out is quite restricted as a result of the swoopy styling and slim side glass areas.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida

The Junior is a city-friendly crossover with more than enough space up front, but a fairly cramped rear-seat area, as its diminutive 2557mm wheelbase suggests. Most adults may need the front-seat occupants to slide forward a tad, and the centre position won’t be joyous for anybody. But at least they sit low so headroom isn’t a problem and on quite comfy cushions to boot.

As with most small SUVs, rear air vents aren’t fitted, but there are cupholders and USB ports, in line with every other small SUV out there.

And at least the Ibrida has a sizeable luggage capacity for one so small, measuring in from 414 litres to a hungry 1280L.

Of course, the lack of a spare wheel helps, but then again, this is a hybrid with extra electrification compared to a petrol-only alternative, so that’s pretty smart packaging going on right there.

Under the Ibrida MH’s stubby bonnet is Stellantis’ evergreen 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 100kW of power and 230Nm of torque. It features a variable-geometry turbo and Miller Cycle combustion process, to maximise efficiency.

Though there is also a Junior Ibrida Q4 all-wheel drive option that adds a second, rear-mounted electric motor available elsewhere, for now in Australia, it’s only the front wheels that are driven, via a 21kW electric motor built into a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and 48-volt/0.89kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida

The electric-motor/MH system provides extra torque during acceleration to help boost speed and save fuel simultaneously, and there’s limited round-town electric-only low-speed driving available, or engine-off coasting when off-throttle at speed.

With a credible kerb weight of just 1305kg, the Ibrida clocks in with a power-to-weight ratio of a sparkling 76.6kW/tonne, resulting in an 8.9 second 0-100km/h sprint-time and a top speed of 206km/h.

Unlike many regular mild hybrids, the self-charging Ibrida MH allows for brief pure-EV driving that Stellantis claims makes 50 per cent of emissions-free city-commuting possible in certain circumstances. Okay, we’ll need to experience that in Australia for confirmation.

The Alfa’s MH set-up aids a WLTP-rated fuel-consumption average of 4.9L/100km, for a carbon-dioxide emissions rating of 110 grams/km.

Using those figures as a guide, an average of about 815km between (premium-unleaded petrol) refills of the 40L tank is possible.

Our test car’s trip computer displayed an average of under 7.0L/100km, with mostly motorway driving near the maximum speed limit.

The full-hybrid Lexus LBX, by the way, averages 3.8L/100km and around 100g/km.

There are no ANCAP or Euro NCAP scores for the Junior, though this may change by the time Australian sales commence later in the year.

Final local specifications are also yet to be confirmed, but a hefty suite of ADAS tech is fitted, including AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Drowsy Driver Alert, adaptive cruise control with lane centering and traffic-jam assist and traffic-sign recognition.

Additionally, six airbags are fitted, along with tyre pressure monitors, light-sensing LED headlights, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, 360-degree parking sensors with 'Active Park Assist' and 180-degree rear camera with overhead view and front/rear parking sensors.

Two rear-seat ISOFIX points as well as a trio of top tethers for straps are included.