Alfa Romeo 159 2.0 JTDm 170 CV, test drive (Part III)

We have reached the end of the road test of the Alfa Romeo 159 equipped with the 170 hp 2.0 JTDm engine, an already veteran model but with a fairly recent engine, since it has been on the market for roughly a year. We covered the engine, performance, handling and everything else in the first part of the test, where it became clear that the 159’s handling goes hand in hand with the sportiness it displays, making it an attractive saloon for a somewhat more fun and sporty drive.

In the second part we looked at the design, both exterior and interior, where it stands out that, after all these years, externally it remains a very current saloon with a design that people like, while in the interior we find good materials but in terms of space, there are other saloons that outdo it in boot capacity or that offer more storage spaces inside than this Alfa Romeo 159.

Now, in the third part of the test, we will focus on standard equipment, including safety equipment, as well as prices and finally our overall assessment of the model.

Equipment

Going through the safety equipment fitted as standard on this model, we find front, side and curtain airbags, traction and stability control, active head restraints and a knee airbag for the driver. In short, it is a fairly comprehensive safety package, where the availability of a knee airbag stands out. As for the EuroNCAP crash tests, the Alfa Romeo 159 has achieved five stars with quite good results.

The standard equipment includes air conditioning, on-board computer, electric windows, CD-MP3 radio with eight speakers, 16-inch alloy wheels, among other items. The base trim, called Sport, is only available with the 136 hp engine and cannot be paired with the 170 hp version, which is available with the Sport Plus trim.

The next trim level, Sport Plus, (the one on our test unit) adds equipment such as cruise control, 17-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, among other items. Among the features on our unit was the Blue and Me system, which combines voice control, Bluetooth for the phone and a USB port.

It is advisable to have it fitted because it adds connectivity, and the Bluetooth works correctly. We only found one drawback, which is the integration of the system with the audio equipment, since sometimes it does not respond as quickly as it should and struggled to detect the song list on the USB drive.

Our test unit also had the navigation system, which is somewhat dated in its interface but worked correctly. It took us a little while to get used to it, but once we mastered it, it is easy to use. The most notable aspect of the sound system was the 8 speakers, which sounded very good and clear. As for the lights, the xenon headlights are an optional extra. They are not bi-xenon, but they provide good illumination; it is a pity they are not adaptive.

Overall Assessment and Price

The first thing that catches the eye about the Alfa Romeo 159 is its design, which after all these years still attracts attention and ages remarkably well. On the other hand, this 170 hp diesel engine was necessary in the range because it offers a good balance between consumption and performance, making it an engine ideal for enjoying the car without overdoing fuel consumption.

The handling is also a point in the 159’s favour, since it offers more driving fun than some mid-size saloons can manage. However, the interior space can be improved, especially the boot, with a capacity that even compact models offer today, and the lack of storage spaces, which reduces interior practicality. Also, some elements show the passage of time (such as the wiper and light stalks) and the navigation system.

It also comes with a rather high price tag, since the 136 hp diesel with Sport trim starts at 27,540 euros, and if we move up to the 170 hp engine the price rises to 30,180 euros, with some equipment such as xenon headlights being optional, which at this stage should be standard. But it is also true that I am talking about prices without discounts, and since it is a veteran model, dealerships can bring these figures down considerably.

So who would I recommend the Alfa Romeo 159 for? Well, for those looking for a saloon with real presence, and one that is not dull on the road, with which we can have fun and enjoy driving, it also boasts an Italian design that still appeals and gives the 159 plenty of personality.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira and Test Team