2016 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. Its Competition

2016 Alfa Romeo 4C
Kirk Bell Kirk Bell Senior Editor

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.

The Jaguar F-Type and Chevy Corvette are in the same price league as the Alfa, but offer a different take on performance: 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? We'll be heretics and throw in the Mercedes CLA45 AMG here too.

The horsepower numbers are in the Mercedes' 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, and far more expensive.

2016 Alfa Romeo 4C2016 Alfa Romeo 4C
Browse Used Listings		2016 BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition2016 BMW i8
Browse Used Listings		2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray upgraded with Corvette Z06 parts, 2015 SEMA show2016 Chevrolet Corvette
Browse Used Listings		2016 Jaguar F-Type S V-6 manual2016 Jaguar F-Type
Browse Used Listings		2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class
Browse Used Listings		2016 Porsche Cayman GT42016 Porsche Cayman
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.8
The 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C is a dazzling purist's sports car with great power and handling but little in terms of space and comfort.
8.4
The 2016 BMW i8 blends a stunning coupe design with a slew of advanced technology underneath; the plug-in hybrid powertrain, and its corresponding efficiency, may be all but irrelevant.
8.8
The 2016 Chevrolet Corvette's exceptional performance, style, comfort, and features, as well as its choice of high-power engines and body styles, adds up to an impressive sports car and grand tourer in one—and a car that won't break the bank.
9.0
The 2015 Jaguar F-Type fleshes out its sportscar credentials this year with a manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
8.2
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA is tight on rear-seat space, and on value—but long on style and in AMG trim, explosive performance.
8.8
The 2016 Porsche Cayman offers most of the driving satisfaction and practicality of the fabled 911—and perhaps with even more thrills.
MSRP From     
$55,900$140,700$55,400$65,000$32,050$52,600
Gas Mileage     
24 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy15 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy15 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-3Gas V8Intercooled Supercharger Premium Unleaded V-6Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4Premium Unleaded H-6
EPA Class     
Two-SeatersSubcompact CarsTwo SeaterTwo-SeatersSubcompact CarsTwo-Seaters
Style Name     
2-Door Coupe2-Door Coupe2-Door Stingray Coupe w/1LT2-Door Coupe Manual RWD4-Door Sedan CLA 250 FWD2-Door Coupe
Drivetrain     
Rear Wheel DriveAll Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
242252
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
CoupeCoupeCoupeCoupeSedanCoupe
Transmission     
Auto-Shift Manual w/ODAutomatic w/ODManualManual w/ODAuto-Shift Manual w/ODManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. 2016 BMW i82016 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. 2016 Chevrolet Corvette2016 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. 2016 Jaguar F-Type2016 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class2016 Alfa Romeo 4C vs. 2016 Porsche Cayman