#01#Modern day Alfa Romeo saloons have become something of an enigma. Typically beautiful, but often flawed, they have tantalised and demoralised in equal measure. The packages have always been superficially excellent, but fallen short in terms of depth of talent. The presentation has always outshone the execution, something that has always frustrated me; they tend to be something of an automotive tease.

It is with this in mind that we approach the Alfa 159 with due caution. A sense of trepidation heightened upon first hand acquaintance; it looks fabulous, at its best painted in bright colours and complemented by large alloys (in common with most shapes penned by Alfa's designers). Our test car was the range-topping V6-engined, four-wheel drive Q4.

It is all too easy to become infatuated with the car's styling; beautiful form is combined with a well-judged spattering of gorgeous detail. From grille to tail pipe and all 4.6 metres in between, the Alfa 159 has something to draw the eye and entice the onlooker. It is, in a nutshell, lovely and draws nothing but admiring glances from all who behold it, be they automotive connoisseur or Mr Couldn't Care Less.

The focus on appearance continues inside the welcoming and well-designed cabin. The dashboard has the usual Alfa binnacle for each dial with the angled, sunken auxiliary gauges in the centre console providing an added focus, as well as mirroring the three central air vents above. Minor controls are well positioned, are nicely damped and feel, as well as look, good. The switches toggle, with a ring of light in the surround indicating their on or off position - it's a look that works really well. The whole thing looks just as good (if not better) in the dark when the back lighting works to accentuate a different set of features.

The interior was subjected to our usual test of slaps, pokes, pushes and turns and it took quite some time to find a weakness. Even then the only thing I could come up with was that one click of the air con temperature setting didn't equal half a degree; spinning it too quickly would skip increments and result in a smaller change than required; turned more slowly it worked fine. Seriously, that was it! No creaks, rattles or loose trim. Accommodation is generous both for occupants and luggage, the boot suffering minimum intrusion from the four-wheel drive transmission. There is no obvious reason as to why it shouldn't be durable either; materials look to be of a decent quality. #p##02# This is a mid-size saloon reproduction of the quality of the GT coupe's interior we so liked and it is more than a match for the majority of the competition. To be honest, if asked which manufacturer would be the one to draw closest to Audi in the style and execution stakes, Alfa Romeo would not have been the first name to pass my lips, but there it is. The company has done a fine job of raising the standards set in the 156.

This elevation in quality continues in the driving experience. The 156 wasn't a car with bad handling, but I found the quick steering rack made the car 'pointy' rather than sporty and it suffered from a lack of fluidity as a consequence. The ride and handling were neither sports saloon nor luxury saloon and as a result the car fell short of exalted standards found in the competition.

The 159 corrects some of those wrongs. The driving position is better, a positive move away from the olden day compromised Alfa posture. The seats are comfortable and supportive, but perhaps a little lacking in lateral support given the sporting overtones of the car. The steering is direct and conveys only the merest whiff of torque steer under the severest provocation. The price is a slight loss of feel of course, but not at the detriment of accuracy. The gearshift is quick and direct and the ratios are well-spaced for a compromise of pace and manners.

Needless to say the V6 beneath the bonnet is possessed of the musicality we've come to know and love. What it also has in this latest 3.2-litre, 260bhp guise is a good reserve of torque delivered in a linear manner complete with prerequisite smoothness. If anything, a louder rendition of the performance would be welcome in the cabin; it's perhaps just a little too muted. There is no doubting the refinement on offer though.

Back roads offer a good deal of entertainment. The 159 flows smoothly on open A-roads with plenty of power to eat up the straights before turning keenly into the next apex. The four-wheel drive apportions the power neatly out of the bend, easily justifying its existence over a more conventional front-wheel drive solution when trying to deploy the V6's not inconsiderable output. At the limit, the 159's weight hinders ultimate dynamic prowess, the nose in particular feeling heavy in tighter corners and the brakes succumbing to fade, but for much of the time it is competent, quick and fun. #p##02# The 156 was seen as a big step for Alfa Romeo. The 159 must be considered an even bigger one. It verges on the brink of taking a mid-size Alfa to the position of being a logical choice as a purchase as opposed to an emotive one. Yes, it has the looks to melt hearts, and wallets, but it also offers the depth of ability to almost match superficial external promise. The interior is excellent, the engine equally so and the chassis adept enough to satisfy the enthusiast. Dynamically it falls short of the levels attained by a class-leading BMW 3 Series, but in terms of style it heads the pack.

The 159 represents the best mid-size saloon from Alfa for quite some time, certainly in the living memory of those here at The Car Enthusiast, and as such deserves consideration of any buyer in this sector, be they hardcore fan or newcomers to the brand. It's a very good car.

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2007 Alfa Romeo UK range overview

- Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTS Turismo: £19,995
- Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTDM 16v Turismo: £20,495
- Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 JTS Turismo: £20,995
- Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTDM 16v Lusso: £21,895
- Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTDM 16v Turismo QTRONIC: £21,945
- Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 JTS Lusso: £22,395
- Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDM Turismo: £22,995
- Alfa Romeo 159 1.9 JTDM 16v Lusso QTRONIC: £23,345
- Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDM Lusso: £24,395
- Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDM Turismo QTRONIC: £24,445
- Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDM Lusso QTRONIC: £25,845
- Alfa Romeo 159 3.2 JTS V6 Q4 Turismo: £26,850
- Alfa Romeo 159 3.2 JTS V6 Q4 Lusso: £28,250