2015 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

There's nothing quite like the Alfa 4C, at least until someone cross-pollinates a Cayman with a Mazda Miata.

Until then, we'll point to the Cayman as the most likely step up and out of the Alfa: the Porsche weighs a lot more, but its lyrical handling and real-world cabin make it so much more usable than the 4C.

We'll be heretics and throw in the Mercedes CLA45 AMG here too: the horsepower numbers are way in its favor, even if the curb weight isn't; its sticky all-wheel-drive grip is unerring in a way the mid-engine Alfa only dreams about.

BMW's i8 is made from carbon fiber, and that might entice some side eyes here, but it's a big luxury coupe first, a performer second.

Lastly, the Jag F-Type and Chevy Corvette are in the same price league as the Alfa, but skew off in performance terms in different directions: the F-Type is all exhaust note and huge tires, and the Corvette is all exhaust note and huge tires and...wait, what were we getting at?