2019 Alfa Romeo 4C

Pros: Razor-sharp handling; invigorating acceleration; wonderfully aggressive exhaust note; one-of-a-kind styling and driving personality

Cons: Cramped, exceptionally noisy cabin; lousy rear visibility; some low-grade interior materials; a bit pricy when compared to more-refined class rivals

CG Says: The 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C drops the coupe bodystyle, leaving only the Spider convertible. Cruise control, rear camera, and rear parking sensors are now standard. Under the auspices of parent-company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Italy’s Alfa Romeo brand was re-launched in America for 2015 with the 4C, a small, mid-engine 2-seater with a very snarky attitude. The 4C’s sole engine is a turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder that displaces 1750 cc (approximately 1.8 liters) and puts out 237 horsepower. It’s connected to Alfa’s TCT twin-clutch automated-manual transmission that features paddle shifters. The 4C is an uncompromising performance car that’s for serious enthusiasts only. The cabin is cramped and noisy, entry and exit are tricky because of the extremely low-slung seats, the ride is rough over anything but glass-smooth pavement, and visibility out the rear window is almost non-existent. There’s also no power steering, so maneuvering at parking-lot speeds is a real chore. All those rough edges give the 4C a raw nature that makes it a particularly thrilling, viscerally engaging driver’s car in the right circumstances. However, a Porsche Boxster or Cayman, or a Chevrolet Corvette, offer equally impressive performance and are much more livable in day-to-day driving.