Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi TI 4dr Car Review - February 2012

At 34.9 mpg the Alfa Romeo 159 TI is not an economical city car but can function as a sophisticated sports car, reaching 62 mph in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 147 mph. The car’s 1742 cc engine delivers strong performance with 200 bhp at 5000 rpm with torque figures of 236 lb-ft at 1400 rpm.

The car operates well over most surfaces but the suspension tends to clunk on bumpy roads. The car’s body is not controlled tightly making it difficult to handle on twisty roads. Even with accurate steering, the car lacks sharp initial responses to differing terrain. Road and wind noise stay at a reasonable level, but the diesel engine can be quite loud.

The Alfa Romeo TI has very attractive exterior features and smart interior layout. It is fitted with high end driving and communication technology. As a top of the range model it has all the features of the range including 19 inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, four electric windows, Bluetooth, cruise control, parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, folding wing mirrors, Visibility Pack and sports dials and sports suspension.

The car's cabin is spacious, comfortably accommodating four tall adults in the four seats. The boot provides ample space, however, it issmaller than that of the Audi A4 and the Mercedes C-Class. The car in, both its image and practicality terms, is more for the city environment and is difficult to handle in different terrain.

The Alfa Romeo 159 TI is safe, having been awarded a 5 out of 5 by Euro NCAP. It is equipped with stability control, with front, side and curtain airbags, along with a driver’s knee bag. The car also has front-seat head restraints to minimise whiplash injuries.

The car comes with a three year warranty with unlimited miles. However, it has a poor reliability record, with owners citing expensive repairs and poor dealer service.

The diesel engine gives the car excellent green credentials with a EURO 5 emissions rating, but with relatively high carbon footprint of 182 g/km compared to many Alfa cars.

The Alfa Romeo 159 TI is priced at £26.665. Even though the car is highly sought for style and presentation, it suffers from poor handling and dealer services. With the model valued in insurance group 26 along with a Road tax band of I, the additional costs of maintaining the car are high as well. Many reviews have cited buying the car as a risky investment especially when it suffers for poor re-sales and expensive repairs.