I recently had the opportunity to drive the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce, and I have to say, I came away with quite a few thoughts about the car. This was only my second time driving a fully electric vehicle, so I went into it expecting the experience to feel noticeably different from a petrol car. Surprisingly, that wasn’t really the case.
Let’s start with the outside, because this is probably one of my favourite parts of the Junior.
In my opinion, the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce is a very beautiful car. The design is sharp, modern and honestly looks exactly like what I would expect a 2026 vehicle to look like. The front end especially stands out to me. It has an aggressive but stylish look, and the overall design gives the car a sporty presence without trying too hard.
My favourite part of the exterior has to be the rims. They give the car a fresh and slightly tough appearance, and they really suit the overall design. Everything just works together. From the front to the back, the car looks modern, sharp and, in my opinion, spectacular.
Moving inside, this is where I have a bit of a love-and-hate relationship with the car. There are definitely things I really like about the interior, but there are also a few things that I think could have been better.
Starting with the positives, I really like the seats, the materials and the overall look of the interior. It feels modern and well put together, and I like how Alfa Romeo has positioned the screens. The main screen is fully touchscreen, and while I found the system quite simple, I actually liked that. Sometimes having too much going on can make a car feel more complicated than it needs to be.
One thing that gets a solid 10/10 from me is the air-conditioning controls. Alfa Romeo has kept physical buttons for the AC, and if you know me, you’ll know I love a good mix of digital technology and physical buttons. I don't think everything in a car needs to be controlled through a touchscreen, so I really appreciated that.
I also really like the steering wheel. It isn't a traditional perfect circle; it has more of an almost oval shape, which I think looks really cool and adds to the sporty feel of the car.
Now, one of my biggest issues with the Junior is the amount of space inside. It is a small car, and you definitely notice that once you're sitting in it.
As someone who is around 6'1", I found myself sitting quite close to the steering wheel and had to move the driver's seat back to get comfortable. Obviously, that then affects the people sitting behind you. The rear seats are quite tight, and once I had adjusted the driver's seat for myself, there wasn't much legroom left in the back.
Even someone of average height might find the rear space a little limited. For me, this makes the Junior feel like a car that is designed for a specific type of driver. If you're mainly driving alone or with one other person, the size isn't really an issue. But if you're regularly carrying taller passengers in the back, you might start noticing the lack of space.
The boot is a decent size for a car like this, but I personally couldn't picture taking it on a proper holiday with a full house of passengers and everyone's luggage. You'd definitely have to pack smart and make use of every bit of space.
Now let's talk about the part I was probably most interested in: the performance.
The Junior Elettrica Veloce is fully electric, and because this was only my second time driving a fully electric vehicle, I went into the experience thinking, "Okay, this car is probably going to feel very different while driving."
But honestly, it didn't.
And I actually see that as a big positive.
I felt like I was driving a normal petrol-powered car, just with an electric powertrain. The car didn't feel strange or disconnected from what I'm used to. The throttle response is sharp, the brakes are sharp, and the car reacts quickly to your inputs.
Everything feels quite precise, and the Junior handles itself really well. You get that instant electric response you'd expect from an EV, but at the same time, it still gives you a familiar driving experience.
I think that's a big bonus for someone who wants to go fully electric but still loves the feeling of driving a petrol car. The transition doesn't feel as dramatic as you might expect.
The touchscreen was also responsive, which is something I really appreciate. There's nothing worse than getting into a modern car and having a screen that feels slow or takes forever to respond. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue here.
Charging is obviously another major part of owning an electric vehicle, and while I didn't spend enough time with the car to give a long-term opinion on charging, the overall electric experience felt straightforward and easy to understand.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce and honestly, after driving it, I can understand why someone would choose it.
Thomas Warmback – Proudly representing CHANGECARS
