ALFA ROMEO JUNIOR

Sporty-looking EV makes a good first impression, although range could be an issue

- Dawn Grant [e-mail]

I'VE recently taken delivery of our new long-term test car, Alfa Romeo's first fully electric vehicle: the Junior Elettrica. Ours isn’t just any Junior though, it’s the sporty Veloce version with a whole raft of options fitted. It does come at a price, because the on-the-road figure of £48,595 is only £100 cheaper than my previous Cupra Tavascan, which is a much bigger car.

Most of the time it’s only my husband and I in the car, so size isn’t such an issue. But I’m currently looking after my daughter's dog, Isla, and testing out the comfort level from a canine point of view. Not that Isla is fussy - she absolutely loves being in a car, whether it’s the back seats or the boot.

While the Junior’s 400-litre boot is actually a decent size for this class of vehicle, the sloping rear windscreen means room isn’t great in the back seats for adults. Yet it was comfortable for Isla, who was happy either sitting up - especially with her nose out of the back window - or curled up asleep.