With style that exudes sophistication and speed, the four-door Alfa Romeo Giulia has all the hallmarks of its sports car pedigree. It may be an obvious challenger to well-known German luxury sedans, but it can’t be accused of imitation.

The Giulia was reintroduced last year after a 30-year hiatus. The compact 4-door sports sedan remains largely unchanged for 2018, with the notable exception of technology upgrades to the Giulia’s initial tech offerings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, and optional tech features include Harmon Kardon speakers and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen.

A turbo-boosted 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powers two of the three trims—base Giulia and mid-level Ti. That engine sends 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Giulia gets 24 mpg city, 33 highway, and 27 combined—great fuel efficiency numbers for a powerful engine. Fuel efficiency dips slightly, 23, 31, and 26, with the optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

Then, there’s the racing-inspired Giulia Quadrifoglio and its Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder that blasts 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The monster engine gets an equally upleveled version of the 8-speed automatic transmission that is paired with rear-wheel drive (RWD). The Quadrifoglio fuel-economy rating drops to 17, 24, and 20 mpg and pricing starts at $73,700.

Make no mistake, the base turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivers plenty of its own thrills. This four-door can jump from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds thanks to its torque, and it has a top speed of 149 mph. The performance handling is thanks to the chassis’s exquisite balance, a quick turning ratio, super responsive Brembo four-piston brakes, and a suspension that deftly toes the line between plush and sport.

The Quadrifoglio cranks up both power and performance. This racing-inspired beast blasts from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph. Its steering is several degrees more sensitive than the base Giulia. Driving in Natural mode helps drivers control all of that muscle and fast-twitch handling for daily driving. Out on curvy road that is calling for some fast turns? Select Dynamic or Race mode to experience the Quadrifoglio’s true capabilities.

The Quadrifoglio’s exterior mirrors what’s beneath the hood—especially the four chrome tail pipes. Functional vents on the hood and front fenders and 19-inch aluminum wheels come standard on the Quadrifoglio, and they are available options for the base Giulia model as part of the Nero Edizione package. That package also includes gloss black window trim, painted brake calipers, and sport pedals.

The base Giulia hardly lacks exterior style. It’s a beautiful vehicle that blends alluring, rounded edges with a sports-car spirit. It comes loaded with high-end standard features like leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, dual-zone climate control, HID headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, and three USB ports.

Standard safety features for all trims include antilock brakes, a reversing camera, rear park assist, stability control, and eight airbags. There are also two packages to enhance safety. The Driver Assistance Static package adds blind-spot monitors, rear cross-path detection, front park assist, and auto-dimming exterior mirrors. The Driver Assistance Dynamic Plus Package builds on those features with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights.