The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulietta is the final curtain call for one of the most beautiful hatchbacks ever made. Origin: Italy (Cassino). While the Volkswagen Golf is the "sensible shoes" of the segment, the Giulietta is the pair of red stilettos. It is flawed, yes, but immensely charming. In Kenya, it offers a way to drive Italian without the massive price tag of the Giulia.

The 2019 "Final Edition" simplified the lineup:

• 1.4L Turbo Petrol (MultiAir) STANDARD
  120 HP or 170 HP. A spunky little engine that loves to rev. It makes a great noise and feels faster than the numbers suggest.
• 2.0L Diesel (JTDm-2)
  170 HP / 350 Nm. Paired with the TCT (Twin Clutch Transmission). Huge torque, great for highway overtaking, but diesel engines on this model are prone to EGR clogging if not driven hard.

• Design vs. Function: The dashboard is stylish but the ergonomics are quirky. The pedals are close together (great for heel-and-toe, bad for big boots).
• Space: The rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillar to make it look like a coupe. Rear legroom is tight compared to a Golf, and the boot (350 Litres) has a high loading lip.

The 6.5-inch Uconnect screen is small by modern standards, but it works. The DNA switch (Dynamic, Natural, All-Weather) is the highlight—it sharpens the throttle response and weighs up the steering instantly.

• Consumption: 12–14 km/l (1.4L Turbo). Driven gently, it is efficient. Driven like an Alfa, it drinks.
• Service: The timing belt on the 1.4L MultiAir must be changed every 4-5 years or 60,000km. Failure to do so is catastrophic. Use Selenia oil (or equivalent high-spec synthetic).

• Clearance: 120mm. It is very low. The front overhang is long, meaning the "chin" will scrape on steep driveways. It is strictly a tarmac car.
• Suspension: Firm but composed. It handles the corners of Redhill Road beautifully but will rattle your teeth on a rough murram road.

6 Airbags standard. Reliability of late-model Giuliettas (2019) is surprisingly good as all the bugs were ironed out over its 10-year production run. Just watch out for door handle mechanism failures.

Who is this for? The enthusiast on a budget who wants beauty and performance. Who is it NOT for? Families who need rear legroom and cheap spares.