All-new Alfa Romeo Milano brings beauty and brawn to compact crossover segment

Named after the birthplace of the brand, Alfa’s new Milano typifies Italian design flair. Oh, and it’s available in petrol or full EV guise… But can it lure the ‘next generation of Alfisti’?

Tasked with appealing to both Alfa faithful and a new, younger clientele, the Milano has the weight of a few Stellantis hopes and dreams on its shoulders. However, unlike some of the brand’s previous efforts, this compact crossover appears to be more than just a pretty face.  

Before we delve into the substance which underpins that style, first, a moment to acknowledge Milano’s beauty. This segment isn’t exactly known for its artistic masterpieces — a successful design in this market is usually inoffensive at best, and downright clumsy at worst. Neither of which are criticisms you could level at Alfa’s baby SUV.

With notions of purity and simplicity at the forefront of their minds, the marque’s stylists have created a stunning, traditionally inspired silhouette which utilises a truncated rear and Full LED Matrix headlights. Proudly sporting the signature triangular grille and optional cloverleaf wheels, the Milano is unmistakably Alfa.  

But you already knew what the Turin-based brand was capable of, it has been making handsome — if somewhat undependable — machines since cars used starting handles and trafficators. What might come as more of a shock, is Alfa’s decision to move with the times and offer an all-electric model. Adding to the intrigue, they’ve opted to position this new EV as the flagship ‘Veloce’ high-performance Milano.

Offering a respectable 237 bhp from a front-mounted electric motor, the hot electric Milano shares its powertrain with the recently revealed, and equally wild, Abarth 600e. Thanks to the input of the same engineering team behind the wicked Guila GTA, the Veloce promises to be a proper pocket rocket.

Starting with a solid foundation, Alfa has chosen industry-leading performance tyres as standard: Michelin’s Pilot Sport EV. Providing a 15% increase in cornering stiffness, Michelin’s PS EV is a perfect pairing for the 25mm lowered sport suspension and more aggressive anti-roll bars. These upgrades, teamed with four-piston monobloc calipers and a Torsen differential, should transform the hot Milano into a serious performance rival for any petrol or electric crossover.  

That’s assuming you want to drive like your hair’s on fire. For most, the lowered powered 156-bhp Milano Elettrica with its 255-mile range, or the 134-bhp Milano Ibrida 3-cylinder petrol, should suffice. Although, some petrolheads might be left reeling at the lack of any hot ICE powertrain option.  

In the real world, practicality and price will also be vital to the Milano’s success – and it looks promising on both fronts. A 400-litre boot is some 50 litres larger than Jeep’s electric Avenger, and over 80 litres more than you get in the new Volvo EX30.

As for the asking price, the entry-level Milano has already launched in Italy to the tune of €30,000 (£25,500), so expect a similar figure when it makes it to British dealerships. As always, the EVs should command a slightly greater premium – especially in range-topping Veloce spec.  

It’s safe to say we’re impressed by Alfa’s new baby SUV, but do you think Brits will be charmed by its Italiano styling, or put off by the brand’s weak reliability record?

**Update 15/04/24** The Milano has been renamed to Junior. Following political backlash, the Italian government has banned the car's original title as it implied the SUV would be manufactured in its native Italy, rather than Poland.

Hero image credit: Stellantis