Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: £14,950 to £17,850
Fabulous engine when worked hard, great grip, muscular yet subtle looks, neat gearchange.
Steering less keen than expected, doesn't cope with sharp bumps, poor turning circle, restricted rear view.
Most powerful hot hatch is a lot of fun, but somehow you're left wanting more.
For the sort of car it is (fairly seriously sporting), the 147 GTA is surprisingly comfortable. Its firm suspension jars its occupants only when it runs out of spring travel, which happens quite easily owing to the low ride height, and otherwise it's impressively free of fidget and thump.
The seats are specially sporty body-hugging items which feel good, and noise levels are low apart from the engine, whose voice is ever-present but not intrusive. Road roar is unexpectedly muted. Air-con is standard.
There are roomier compact hatchbacks, but the GTA has a more rear passenger space than its coupe-like looks suggest. The boot is quite small, though, as the stubby tail and inward-tapering rear body sides would lead you to expect. The door pockets are flock-lined, a pleasing touch.
The standard-fit stereo had a decent CD player and eight speakers; many owners upgraded to a Bose hi-fi with subwoofer, or Alfa's CONNECT system with sat-nav, a dual-band phone, voice-activated controls, voice memo and telephone-operated concierge service (annual subscription payable).
Latest Readers' Drives About the Alfa Romeo 147
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