The compact luxury sedan segment remains very important throughout the industry, even if SUVs have been gaining ground in recent years. That's why manufacturers offering models in this category do everything in their power to offer the best possible product.

This is the case with Audi, of course, which has been marketing the A4 for ages, a car that has long been cited as a benchmark in the segment. Then there's Alfa Romeo, which suggests the Giulia, a sedan that is in every way capable of competing with the best of its horde. To what extent? The following arguments will prove it.

The style

Let's start with styling. While the Audi A4 remains an elegant car with timeless lines, its design doesn't break the mould. It's marked by tradition, yes, but you don't turn your head when you see an A4. Conversely, a glance in the direction of a Giulia makes us realize that we're in the presence of a sedan with far more character.

Focus on the muzzle, for example. You'll see that Audi's brings nothing new to the table, while Alfa Romeo's, which is unique throughout the industry, exudes testosterone.

And we can continue the exercise on the sides and rear. While both cars are admittedly beautiful, the one with Italian roots stands out from the crowd simply because of its lines.

Performance

With a luxury sedan, it's always worthwhile to take advantage of enhanced performance. At Audi, the most powerful variant available is the S4. It's powered by a 3.0-liter turbo V6, which delivers 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Frankly, it's very good.

But not enough to compete with a Giulia Quadrifoglio. The best thing about this proposition is that the 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 offers much more to its driver. How about 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque?

The result is almost a full second less time to 0-100 km/h (3.8 versus 4.7 seconds for Audi).

Driving pleasure

Whatever the mechanics under the hood, driving a Giulia puts a smile on your face. You could say that about an A4 years ago, but that car has gone sundown. The Giulia, on the other hand, has remained racy and sporty to the core, so that when you get behind the wheel, the sensations delivered are constant.

Take both models for a test drive, just for the fun of it, and you'll see just how striking our claims are on the road.