Like it or not, car companies are growing closer and closer together. Whether you're interested in an Audi or a Zeekr, drivers who dig deep enough will find that the mechanicals in any given model can be traced back to a handful of car brands.

Of these, the largest is undoubtedly Stellantis. Based in Amsterdam, the corporation contains no fewer than 14 different car brands - Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall.

Perhaps the most interesting brand of the bunch is Alfa Romeo. A brand known for lightweight sportscars like the Stradale, Spider, and Duetto, the tighter budgets of drivers mean the company has faced a slump in sales over recent years. During the first half of 2023, just 700 models were sold in the UK, despite still being a dream brand for many.

To drum up more interest and keep the brand in the black, Alfa's most recent hits have been family SUVs based on platforms similar to stablemates. For a few thousand more than a model from entry-level brands, drivers can get a little extra performance and flair, plus the kudos of saying they drive an Alfa Romeo.

But does Alfa Romeo's latest compact crossover, the all-electric Junior, live up to the brand's reputation? To find out, I spent a week behind the wheel of one.

Styling:

Despite being based on the same platform as cars like the Fiat 600 and Jeep Avenger, the Alfa Romeo Junior's styling is thankfully unique and undoubtedly quite striking.

The front end features a set of C-shaped front LED matrix headlights, only to be divided by Alfa's classic triangular grille, whilst the rear end features quite a rakish rear tailgate - sporty, although not the best use of space.

As standard, the Junior comes with a very attractive set of 18-inch alloy wheels that feature an almost floral-esque circular pattern, but buyers will need to shell out a sobering £1,200 for the dual-tone paintwork seen on the model tested.

Interior:

Just like the exterior, the Junior's dashboard is particularly modern and is a complete departure from its Stellantis stablemates. The pastel shades of the Fiat are swapped out by glossy black plastic with a touch of chrome, while customisable LED lights helped to make the Alfa feel more homely.

On the whole, the interior felt particularly well-built - particularly the set of black and red Spiga seats, which are fitted as standard on the mid-range Speciale.

Nevertheless, I would have liked to have seen a few more soft-touch materials used throughout the interior, with the rear door cards using only hard plastics that would feel more fitting on a car for half the price.

Practicality:

Whilst the Alfa Romeo's seats are surprisingly comfortable and well-finished, one of my major gripes with the Junior is a lack of width. Testing the car in sub-zero temperatures, I found that bulky winter coats made sitting with a front passenger a little bit too cosy.

Getting into the rear, I needed to push the front seat considerably forward in order to feel comfortable enough for long journeys, whilst a transmission tunnel and dip in the headlining meant I was completely unable to sit on the middle seat, even without a passenger either side. That said, there is undoubtedly enough space for children and young teenagers.

Nevertheless, what the Alfa lacks in rear legroom it certainly makes up for with its 400-litre boot. Admittedly, the Kia EV3 and upcoming Ford Puma Gen-E feature more; however the Alfa is still substantially better than the Vauxhall Mokka and Volvo EX30.

Features:

One of the key incentives for choosing the Alfa over cheaper models based on the same platform is the amount of extra goodies buyers receive. Testing the mid-range Speciale version, my Junior featured a six-speaker sound system, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, an electronically adjustable heated and massaging driver's seat, and keyless entry.

Whilst these are all very welcome, I found the touchscreen to be quite low on the dashboard, often causing me to take my eyes off the road to adjust the radio or heater controls. That said, even though a front-facing camera would have been appreciated, the rear parking camera was one of the clearest I have encountered in any car to date.

However, the system employed by the touchscreen took some considerable getting used to. For instance, it took me five days to realise that the home button was in fact a physical button, lumped in with the hazard warning lights. Fortunately, the rest of the buttons, which are used to control the heater settings, are much better located underneath the screen.

Performance:

Despite Alfa Romeo making a mild hybrid version using Stellantis' tried and tested 1.2-litre petrol engine, all UK examples of the Junior are currently fully electric. This consists of a 54kWh battery and a 156bhp electric motor (rising to 280bhp for drivers who opt for the flagship Veloce version).

With the standard EV powertrain in place, the Alfa Romeo Junior can accelerate from 0-62mph in about nine seconds and has a top speed that has been electronically limited to 93mph. Both statistics sound pretty underwhelming for an Alfa, but the Junior still manages to feel decidedly sprightly for a compact electric crossover.

Nevertheless, the Alfa's range leaves quite a lot to be desired. Standard versions of the Junior can cover up to 255 miles per charge (a figure that drops to 208 for drivers choosing the Veloce example). In comparison, the Volvo EX30 is capable of 296 miles, whereas the Hyundai Kona Electric can cover up to 319 miles.

Driving:

It is all too easy to assume that the heavy electric battery pack would make the Alfa uncharacteristically undynamic to use in anything but a straight line. However, with a relatively low weight of 1,560kg, the Junior is surprisingly agile for a compact crossover.

In spite of the surprisingly soft ride quality, I was able to pilot the Alfa around tight corners at a fair pace without any particular sign of body roll. At lower speeds, a light front end (helped by the lack of an engine) means the Junior was also very manoeuvrable.

Nevertheless, the Junior is not without its quirks. Like the Abarth 500e, drivers missing the experience of a petrol car can select a synthetic engine noise that kicks in when accelerating and braking. It's a novel touch, but eventually comes across like an old arcade game - a feeling helped no end by the lack of fake gearchanges.

What's more, like many electric vehicles, the Alfa Romeo Junior uses a mix of hydraulic and regenerative braking. While the latter is an efficient way to put more power back into the batteries, the two systems are not perfectly synchronised, leading to a quite numb feeling in the right foot.

Conclusion:

On the whole, the Alfa Romeo Junior is far from a perfect model, but that doesn't make it unpleasant to own. In addition to looking attractive, the Alfa Romeo offers a good standard of performance while not compromising on ride quality.

With a starting price of £33,895, the entry-level Junior is around £4,000 more than the mechanically identical Fiat 600e, but it does offer a few additional creature comforts. Whether the Alfa is worth the additional expense would be up to the individual driver and their demands from the car.

Those looking to buy a practical EV for their growing families could be better suited with the Volvo EX30. However, those out for some automotive thrills with enough room for a few occupants on short trips will get a lot of enjoyment out of the Alfa.