Alfa Romeo Milano, a Sense of Déjà Vu

Hard to create a unique car from a mandated technical base. However, Alfa has risen to the challenge.

For six years, and since the discontinuation of the delightful MiTo, Alfa Romeo had not ventured into the compact car segment. A return announced with fanfare with the small SUV Milano, but does a historic logo alone give soul to a car?

The Alfa Romeo Milano is the glamorous variant of a Stellantis platform already seen on the Opel Mokka, the Fiat 600, the Peugeot 2008, and the Jeep Avenger. A guarantee of seriousness and quality, but for technical novelty, you’ve seen it all!

With a length of 4.17 meters, the Milano is a few centimeters longer than the Avenger and the Mokka, identical to the 600 and slightly shorter than the 2008. But it must be acknowledged that Alfa manages to stand out with a very distinctive style. While the front lights have a strong Renault look, the eye is immediately drawn to the beautiful dark air intakes at the lower part and the oversized Alfa logo positioned in the middle of the grille. This is an audacious stylistic choice, but ultimately particularly successful thanks to the asymmetry of the logo. We love it!

A true Alfa face…

We quickly move past the overall line already seen on other Stellantis models to arrive at the rear. The sharp break may shock, but there’s some Giulia in the taillights, some Stelvio in the fastback profile, and ultimately a rather sporty look. In the end, this Milano has a beautiful face, a nice rear but a somewhat cheeky style.

We knew that the Milano would be offered in a 100% electric version, and we feared that it would inherit the usual battery and charging configuration from Stellantis, with a capacity of 54 kWh and charging up to 100 kW… and sadly, we were right. 154 hp, 400 km of range announced with delirious optimism and charges rarely exceeding 50 kW, this is really not worthy of an Italian diva.

The Milano Elettrica Veloce, which will share the platform with the Abarth 600e, should fortunately save the image of the beauty with 237 hp, a custom chassis, a stiffer suspension that lowers the ride height by 25 mm, reinforced brakes, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

… but ultimately a Stellantis creation

Named Milano Ibrida, the hybrid version inherits a 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine developing 134 hp boosted by a 28 hp electric motor integrated into a six-speed automatic transmission. A classic front-wheel drive allowing for around 50% electric driving time in the city. The Stellantis argument is well-rehearsed and logically this version will account for the bulk of sales.

Let’s perhaps get to the essential with the interior, the last territory of freedom for designers. Sculptural bucket seats, ambient lighting, and especially these two nicely round digital dials, you immediately feel in an Alfa. Ultimately, we spend more time in our car than outside detailing its lines, and no 2008, Mokka, or Avenger offers this.

Maximizing synergies with the Jeep Avenger seems logical for Alfa Romeo, as the Milano is built on the same production line in Tychy, Poland. No hints on pricing, but one should expect a slight markup compared to the American cousin. Orders will open in early summer for initial deliveries in the fall. 35,000 euros for the hybrid and 40,000 euros for the electric? Perhaps we are unfortunately a bit optimistic.

ALSO READ: The new Alfa Romeo Milano in pictures