Alfa Romeo has never really been a force to be reckoned with in the American market, but that could soon change as the Italian brand unveils its first all-electric model. The Alfa Romeo Junior is a new subcompact crossover EV that fuses a next-generation powertrain with classic Milanese design to offer drivers an intriguing alternative to your run-of-the-mill SUV. While it originally looked like the Junior might be exclusive to the European market, nothing is set in stone. Domestic EV sales have been slowing down lately, but they still represent a growing segment of the market and one that’s becoming increasingly practical as the country’s charging infrastructure continues to grow.
This subcompact crossover EV—which shares its STLA Small platform with the European-market Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600—measures in at just 164 inches, making it remarkably small for the traditionally size-obsessed American market. Still, that might not be a dealbreaker if the company is able to forecast healthy demand for the new EV. “We will show the Junior to our US dealers, asking them if they see potential for a fun-to-drive small electric hatch in select markets such as California, Florida, and other CARB [California Air Resources Board] states,” said Daniele Tiago Guzzafame, Alfa Romeo’s head of product.
The Junior could capitalize on a convenient window of opportunity as competing subcompact EVs from Volvo and Mini face some challenges related to production and tariffs. Despite soliciting pre-orders as early as 2023, Volvo’s EX30 now looks to be delayed to the latter half of 2025. Mini’s new all-electric Cooper could also come at a premium as it is produced in China and, as such, would be subject to a 100% tariff that could make it a tough sell in the US market. If it were to make the trip across the pond from Europe, the Junior would only have to pay a 2.5% tariff, but the decision seems to depend on consumer demand.
If the Junior does make its way to the US, it’s best to be prepared. That’s why I’ve compiled a brief overview of the new all-electric Alfa, cataloging some important performance and design details, digging into the controversy surrounding its name, and examining how the EV fits into the bigger picture for the struggling Stellantis family of brands. Strap in as we take the new battery-powered Alfa for a ride and learn how it could signal a new path for the beleaguered Italian automaker.
The Name
We’ll start by addressing one of the most unique things about Alfa’s newest creation: the name. The name isn’t an homage to the bizarre 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger/Danny DeVito film, but rather, a revival of the Junior nameplate that graced some of Alfa’s early Giulia coupes in the 1960s and 1970s. While the name is a fitting tribute to the brand’s history, it wasn’t Alfa’s first choice.
The Junior originally debuted in early 2024 as the Alfa Romeo Milano, but a little intervention by the Italian government forced the company to reconsider. In an effort to protect the country’s reputation for automotive design, the Italian government has passed a law barring companies from using “Italian-sounding” names for products that weren’t actually produced in Italy. Despite sharing a name with the capital of Italy’s Lombardy region, the Milano is actually produced in Poland. This appellation issue led to a swift reversal on the part of Alfa, which rebranded the Milano as the Junior just five days after its debut. While the Junior might lack the Milano moniker, it still features numerous nods to the northern Italian city thanks to Milan’s traditional cross and serpent immortalized in the Alfa logo.
The Powertrain
The new Alfa Romeo Junior will come with two electric powertrain options, with a hybrid Ibrida variant thrown in for good measure. The 2025 lineup kicks off with the Junior Elettrica 156, which leverages a single electric motor and 54 kWh battery pack to deliver 156 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 93 mph and a zero to 60 mph time of nine seconds, the Elettrica 156 isn’t the speediest Alfa on offer, but those looking for a little extra fun can always opt to upgrade to the performance-focused Elettrica 280 Veloce. The Veloce might share its front-wheel drive and single-motor setup with the Elettrica 156, but it ups the ante with plenty of extra power and some important changes to the overall design. Drivers will enjoy 280 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque, giving the Veloce a 5.9-second zero to 60 mph time and a top speed of 124 mph, but that’s just half the story.
The sporty trim also boasts a host of design and mechanical upgrades ranging from a mechanical self-locking Torsen differential and red brake calipers to 20-inch wheels and a lower stance that gives the Veloce a dynamic feel. Sure, you’ll sacrifice a little range in the name of performance, with the Veloce topping out at 207 miles to the base model’s 255 miles (both according to the more generous European WLTP cycle), but it’s a small price to pay for the sort of thrills the range-topping trim can provide.
Those seeking a flashier Junior that doesn’t require shelling out for the Veloce should consider the Elettrica 156 Speciale. This well-rounded rim might lack the performance upgrades of the Veloce, but it ups the curb appeal with a sports styling kit that features a diamond black scudetto (grille), 18-inch Petali alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows, and more. The interior boasts a leather steering wheel and sport pedals, not to mention a six-way power driver’s seat with massage function, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with navigation, adaptive cruise control with lane centering and traffic congestion assistance, and more.
Finally, there’s the Junior Ibrida, a hybrid version of the subcompact that allows drivers a little more flexibility when it comes to fueling up. Powered by a 1.2L inline-three engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the Ibrida offers 136 hp and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It might not be able to match the efficiency or power of the all-electric Junior Elettrica, but it is the only version that can be had in both front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
The Style
Despite its status as Alfa Romeo’s first all-electric model, the Junior’s most noteworthy superlative might just be its style. While Alfa has long had a reputation for producing striking, sporty vehicles, the recent Giulia and Stelvio were criticized for being a little uninspired. The two models did feature Alfa’s scudetto grille but otherwise didn’t really stray from the well-worn template employed by many modern sedans and crossovers.
The Junior is a different story altogether, and the credit largely goes to new design director Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos. While he was hired in 2021, the Junior represents Mesonero-Romanos’ first real crack at designing an all-new Alfa from the ground up, and the results are telling. The Junior boasts some captivating proportions, looking more like an upsized sports car than a shrunken-down SUV. A distinctive hood gives the Junior an aggressive appearance that’s a lot more mature than the name might imply, and even the classic scudetto has been treated to a makeover. Drivers can now choose between two new designs: the Leggenda with its black matte “Alfa Romeo” script or the Progresso, which is based around a zoomed-in, contemporary version of the Alfa Romeo cross and serpent logo. This new scudetto is framed by the Junior’s 3+3 full-LED adaptive matrix headlights and a front fascia that isn’t afraid to embrace its curves.
The Junior implies acceleration from bumper to bumper, especially when you get a look at the side. A high beltline gives the crossover a speedy appearance, while the recessed rear door handles create a clean, slick side profile that immediately sets the Alfa apart from some of its more stolid competitors. The Veloce paradoxically ups the ante by losing over an inch of height, featuring a lower stance and 20-inch “Venti” four-spoke alloy wheels that serve as both a style statement and a quick Italian lesson.
The Junior carries its fashion-forward streak into the interior, where buyers will find a sporty steering wheel, AC vents designed to honor Alfa’s four-leaf clover Quadrifoglio badge, and a digital gauge display that uses the company’s famous telescope design. These nods to history are offset by some thoroughly modern features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supportive seats with plenty of side bolstering, and plenty of premium Alcantara touches. The Junior’s subcompact designation might make some taller drivers think twice, but while the backseat might prove to be a little too tight, the front row is surprisingly spacious.
The Bigger Picture
Alfa Romeo’s parent company, Stellantis, has been on the ropes in recent years, with the world’s fourth-largest automaker recently reporting a 15 percent sales decline between 2023 and 2024. Stellantis has also faced some trying internal upheaval, with CEO Carlos Tavares resigning from his post in December of last year. While the company’s Fiat brand has been on the rise, Alfa hasn’t been so lucky, hemorrhaging 33 percent of its market share as it largely failed to break through in the US market. Alfa did set a new high point in 2018 with 23,800 sales in America, but that number has since dropped to just 8,865 in 2024.
Alfa’s prolonged slump has led the company to reexamine its offerings and envision a new future that includes an increased emphasis on hybrid and electric models. The Italian company originally announced plans to go all-electric by 2027, but it isn’t exactly rushing into the market. The brand first introduced the Tonale hybrid in 2024, and the crossover has represented a vital bright spot in Alfa’s portfolio. Tonale sales are credited with allowing the automaker to offset underperforming models like the Giulia and Stelvio. The Tonale’s success has inspired Alfa to introduce a new, purely gas-powered version for 2025 that shares its engine with the Dodge Hornet. Offering 268 hp, all-wheel drive, and some eye-catching style, the new Tonale caters to internal combustion purists, while the Junior aims to introduce a new generation of EV adherents to the Alfa brand. Both models look to play an important role in the brand’s future, with hybrid, gas, and EV models giving Alfa the diversification it needs to weather a rapidly changing market.
Does the Junior represent an exciting new direction for Alfa Romeo, or is it simply too little, too late for the storied Italian brand? Only time will tell, but if the brand’s commitment to go all-electric is to be believed, the Junior certainly won’t be the last Alfa EV to hit the market. The new subcompact crossover has all the hallmarks of classic Alfa design and can largely be seen as a return to form, but it’s difficult to predict whether longtime fans will embrace the new EV approach. The Junior certainly makes a strong case for itself, especially when you consider the performance-minded Veloce model with its 280 hp and 5.9-second zero to 60 mph sprint. Most importantly, the Junior looks every bit an Alfa thanks to a new head designer that’s bringing the brand back to its roots with distinctive designs that merge modern sensibilities with the company’s 115 years of automotive experience. It’s tough to predict how the Junior will fare, but if the new subcompact does make its way to our shores, it will certainly be worth a test drive.
