What is the competition of Alfa Romeo Milano?

Milan, headquarters of Alfa Romeo. Milano, the latest addition to the Italian brand. With such a name, it says a lot about the expectations of the manufacturer and the importance of this new model. The chosen segment is therefore the very attractive city SUV segment. The second reason for this category, the technical base (CMP) shared by the entire Stellantis group where each of the many brands that make up use it in their own styles. Alfa Romeo was one of the only people who did not submit his interpretation. Looking at the technical sheet and examining some details, especially inside, the similarities with its cousins ​​are apparent but the overall presentation is actually very different. With a clear emphasis on sports. More than the existing models in the category. But is it really without competition?

Alfa Romeo Milano presentation

Sticking to its height of 4.17 m, it is in the lower average of the category. But when it comes to personality, he wants to grab all the attention, with Alfa’s recognizable but largely reinterpreted codes. The headlights get thicker and merge into a structure created by the grille, connected to the horizontal hood. The grid in this area can receive the text of the brand in full, italics and in historical font, or filled with an image of the Alfa Romeo logo. The lower lip on the shield makes this front face breathable. The sides are, on the contrary, very smooth with the rear handles integrated into the glazing and a nice curve to the rear wing. You can identify the Alfa style by the petal rims, by the four leaf clover style, or three leaves depending on the finish chosen.

A black line crosses the tailgate and falls into the fenders on either side of the stern. This poster receives the light of the lights above the text of the visible hand print. Very high at the end of the bodywork, it completes the line of the wings and the window, narrow, curved and curved down. The result turns out to be normal.

Audible dashboard…

The interior will certainly be more connected with its horizontal and direct dashboard above, where only digital meters stand out in the form of a two-pipe hood. The furniture reinforces its lines in the center with a raised console with rounded edges and backlit, with an illuminated start button, as well as a central screen of 10.25 inches, placed perhaps a little lower for driving. The side vents, with four spokes, combine with the Alcantara surfaces as well as the optional Sabelt seat covers to reflect this sporty spirit of the Milano.

Although the steering wheel fits well in this atmosphere and promises to give great driving sensations through its direct configuration, it receives controls borrowed mainly from the Peugeot 208. It is well integrated, they above all attract the fact that these are not the only ones. elements derived from the bank of the group entity, with the aim of economies of scale. Commodos behind the steering wheel, buttons under the central screen or even window buttons on the door panels, bring things back to the bottom and go against the overall effort. Therefore, the digital interface will have to deal with defects that are already known in other models. And we will have to see in real life if the plastics of the lower parts are of better quality than usual in Stellantis. It is impossible.

At least, the trunk allows a little versatility with 400 liters of volume, more than its technical clones, Peugeot 2008 aside, the latter benefiting from a long version of the chassis. And a small barrel is added to it under the hood in front.

…a little bit for the engine

To animate this small, powerful SUV, mechanics will rely on the “Veloce” version to hope for the same temperament, with its 240 hp electric motor, which we also expect under the hood of the Abarth 600e. Its running gear with widened tracks, reinforced anti-roll bars and big brakes should ensure a pleasant ride for the driver.

Other versions will be less surprising. With a 156 hp electric unit and its 54 kWh battery as usual in Jeep Avenger or Fiat 600e for example. The 410 kilometers of declared freedom will then be only theoretical.

Finally, the entry level will be represented by a small 48V hybrid of 136 horsepower, also known. The only real novelty is the subsequent arrival of a four-wheel drive version of this hybrid. Power hasn’t been announced but Alfa Romeo is talking about a rear axle with “automatic management”, which could suggest the use of an additional electric motor to drive the rear wheels.

Only the prices of the “Special” launch versions have been revealed for now, namely €31,000 for the hybrid and €40,500 for the 156 hp electric.

Also read – Alfa Romeo Milano (2024): the magic recipe to save the brand?

• Dimensions (LxWxH) : 4,17 mx 1,78 mx 1,50 m
• Trunk (all seats in place): 400 l.
• Engine: from 136 hp to 240 hp

Potential competitors

Credit Image – Ford

Faced with this Alfa Romeo Milano, it is towards the urban SUVs and the direction of power that we have to turn, with the possibility of cutting the profile, both between the proposals of heat and electricity, since the Italian offers both. Some are logical among the offerings of the Stellantis group.

Ford Puma was restyled

The Ford Puma is undoubtedly the closest candidate to the Milano in spirit. A recognizable and slim, speed-oriented style with engines ranging from 125 to 170 hp in petrol, including the sporty “ST” version, while electric will arrive later. With a trunk of 456 liters and a height of 4 cm, it takes the lead in terms of housing. And its recent facelift brings an all-new interior, less sporty than the Alfa’s but with a bigger, more updated screen and wraparound seats on the ST version.

Ford Puma in a nutshell

• Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.21 mx 1.81 mx 1.54 m
• Trunk (all seats in place): 456 l.
• Engine: from 125 hp to 170 hp
• Price (excluding options, excluding bonuses/malus): from €27,490 to €38,290

Jeep Avenger

Another candidate from the Stellantis group, like the Opel Mokka that could also be included in this selection, the Jeep Avenger is the most attractive model of the group, with its silk firmly on its four wheels. Despite the adventurous spirit associated with the American brand, a certain sense of power still emerges from its characteristics. The 2023 car was electric only (156 hp) but has since replaced gasoline with a mild hybrid version on the same principle as the Milano, reduced by 100 hp. Less spacious on board, but enough in the back seats despite its length of only 4.08 m, it can carry only 355 liters of luggage. Its dashboard differs stylistically around the tubes that cross the passenger compartment, possibly colored, but most of the on-board controls are common to the Milano.

Jeep Avenger in a nutshell

• Dimensions (LxWxH) : 4.08 mx 1.78 mx 1.53 m
• Trunk (all seats in place): 355 l.
• Engine: from 100 hp to 156 hp
• Price (excluding options, excluding bonuses/malus): from €24,500 to €42,500

The Nissan Juke was replaced

Derived from the successful Renault Captur but also from a successful lineage, as it was one of the first SUVs of this size to see the light of day on the market, the Nissan Juke also has a powerful look and offers more French fun. Only two engines remain to choose from, including the 143 hp hybrid. But between the sports seats with integrated headrests with speakers to dress them up and the motorcycle’s tank-shaped center console, it’s the same audience as the Milano that might be sensitive to it. At 4 cm longer than this, it also offers more space on board, including 422 liters of cargo volume.

Nissan Juke in a nutshell

• Dimensions (LxWxH) : 4.21 mx 1.80 mx 1.59 m
• Trunk (all seats in place): 422 l.
• Engine: from 114 hp to 143 hp
• Price (excluding options, excluding bonuses/malus): from €25,400 to €36,650

Volkswagen Taigo

The Taigo is wiser than the previously mentioned suggestions and more original than the average Volkswagen SUV. Especially in the city section, where the German brand offers a choice between three models of increased height (T-Cross, Taigo, T-Roc). It owes its originality to its pointed roof and some versions with a colored dashboard. It remains more serious and modest than the Alfa Romeo Milano. But in exchange, it allows more alternatives, thanks to a more impressive size, 4.27 m long. This results in a 440 liter trunk and more welcoming rear seats. Compromise can suit many, at a more reasonable cost and the version of heating systems.

Volkswagen Taigo in a nutshell

• Dimensions (LxWxH) : 4,27 mx 1,76 mx 1,52 m
• Trunk (all seats in place): 440 l.
• Engine: from 95 hp to 150 hp
• Price (excluding options, excluding bonuses/malus): from €25,120 to €36,000

Summing up

Unveiled, the new urban SUV from Alfa Romeo, Milano, shows a sporty character on a well-known base in the Stellantis galaxy. A position that positions it as a slightly different proposition in the market. So who are his potential competitors?

Editor