From the runways of Milan to the streets of Rome, Italy has a reputation for having an impeccable sense of fashion in couture, architecture, and automobiles. When driving an Italian car, it’s not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about arriving in style. Italian cars blend style with performance, delivering an exceptional driving experience transcending mere transportation. So hop in and buckle up, as 24/7 Wall St. takes you on a test drive of 8 Italian car brands to try, presented alfabetically, in a list containing some familiar brands and some positively electric contenders.
1. Abarth
- Parent/owner: Stellantis Europe S.p.A
- Brand established: 1949
- 2024 MSRP: $43k/500e
Fancy Fiat
Abarth is the luxury, sporty line of Fiat. Founded in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, an Austrian-Italian engineer with a passion for racing, Abarth initially focused on producing high-performance exhaust systems. In 1952, Abarth began building complete cars, starting with small-displacement racing vehicles based on Fiat platforms. Acquired by Fiat in 1971, Abarth continued to develop high-performance versions of Fiat models, such as the Abarth 124 Spider. More recently, Abarth has embraced E-car design and production, introducing the fully electric Abarth 500e in 2022. The Abarth 500e is a suped-up version of the Fiat 500e, with upgrades including a sound generator, which allows this electric car to growl like its fossil-fueled counterparts.
2. Alfa Romeo
- Parent/owner: Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A/Stellantis Europe S.p.A
- Brand established: 1910
- 2024 MSRP: $43k/Giulia and Tonale
Golden Oldie
Alfa Romeo traces its roots back to 1910 in Milan, Italy. Revered for its distinctive Italian design, Alfa Romeo is a longstanding symbol of Italian passion and performance. Throughout its history, Alfa Romeo has produced a range of iconic cars, from elegant luxury sedans to classic Italian sports cars. Consumers, however, harbor a complex love/hate relationship with Alfa Romeo.
Drawn in by the brand’s history and flair, the brand has a reputation for inconsistent reliability and frequent maintenance issues. In recent years, the brand has addressed the issues that have been plaguing them for decades. With the introduction of its hybrid line, including the Tonale, Alfa Romeo is striving to regain our trust. The brand will be launching its e-car line-up in 2025, with plans to transition to only electric car production by 2027. This in and of itself is enough to make Alfa Romeo one of our 8 Italian car brands to try.
3. Estrema
- Parent/owner: Gianfranco Pizzuto/Fisker Automotive
- Brand established: 2020
- 2024 MSRP: $ 2.4 million
Positively Electric
Estrema is a new player in the Italian automotive industry. Founded with the vision to redefine the boundaries of electric hypercar performance, Estrema blends cutting-edge technology with breathtaking design, pushing the limits of what’s possible in electric vehicle performance. The company’s debut model, the Estrema Fulminea possesses mind-boggling acceleration reaching 200 mph in under 10 seconds. The 100 kWh hybrid battery pack produced by ABEE (Avesta Battery Energy Engineering) has a range of 325 miles, which is miles beyond the closest competition. The Fulminea is a bold step in the evolution of electric hypercars, and Estrema is a brand to watch. And with a 2 million dollar plus price point, watching these cars is all most of us can afford.
4. Ferrari
- Parent/owner: Ferrari S.p.A.
- Brand established: 1939
- 2024 MSRP: $245k/Roma
Upholding the Legacy
Ferrari has been capturing hearts and imaginations since 1939. With a passion for performance, precision engineering, and unmistakable Italian flair, Ferrari produces some of the most iconic and coveted sports cars on the planet. From the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO to the sporty F50, each Ferrari is a testament to the legacy of Enzo Ferrari. Not resting on their laurels, Ferrari has introduced electric hybrids, LaFerrari, and the SF90 Stradale, and is in the process of introducing a line of fully electric cars in 2025.
