Results don’t surprise me.
The guilia is an outstanding car. I know 3 people with a Veloce version and all say it’s easily the best car they’ve had.
Is the ‘infotainment’ marginally easier to use on a 3 series? I don’t know, and I don’t care, none of the people I know have complained about it in the Alfa. What it does do though is, irrespective of looks, drive much better. Steering especially, handling and ride all superior.
Mainstream uk motoring press, whatcar, autocar, auto express etc are heavily biased to German marques, especially VAG. This is well known, someone will correct me if im wrong, but I believe the parent companies of all these publications are German?
Not saying 3 series, c-class, A4 etc are bad cars, they are not, they are all very competent vehicles, it’s just the press will refuse to acknowledge anything else can be better ‘overall’ and mark rivals down for wishy washy nonsense like infotainment, or ‘perceived quality’, whatever that is. Maybe it’s because if ‘real’ quality is measured even Hyundai, Kia etc are actually ahead now.....apart from a glossy infotainment screen of course.
I can understand why that Lexus GS won too, that is a high quality product. Styling again is subjective, but if I was to recommend a large saloon to someone who just wanted a trouble free, comfortable, quality car it would be miles ahead of a 5 series, A6 etc as a secondhand car.
Velar? Is this the ultimate example of the new phrase ‘perceived quality’? These in a high spec look very fancy in the showroom. The technology is impressive. Unfortunately the ‘real quality’ is sadly lacking. I used to work with a guy who’s son worked as a technician at land rover. Some of the photos he had on his phone from the workshop trying to fix electronic issues were a real eye opener. Obviously they both would never consider actually owning one themselves, certainly if out of warranty.
I must add to this semi rant, I do have a couple of Alfa’s and a Lexus!
(although I have owned several BMW’s and VW’s too, and loads of other stuff)