2026 Alfa Romeo Junior gets stylish limited-edition makeover

Alfa Romeo has revealed the Junior Sport Speciale, a new limited-edition model that brings cosmetic and comfort enhancements to the Italian brand's newest SUV.

Priced at $51,990 before on-roads, the Sport Speciale slots between the regular Ibrida (mild-hybrid) and Elettrica (electric) variants of the Australian Junior range and adds several interior and exterior tweaks said to build "on the brand's heritage of dynamic performance and Italian styling".

That said, the Sport Speciale brings no mechanical changes to the Junior Ibrida on which it's based, despite being $5000 dearer. That means it's still powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a 48V mild-hybrid system.

Outside, the Junior Sport Speciale is characterised by new 18-inch "Fori" diamond-cut alloy wheels, a gloss-black body kit with ice grey accents, a standard sunroof (previously a $1990 option), and, of course, unique 'Sport Speciale' badging.

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The changes to its interior are arguably more significant, with the headline upgrade being new Alcantara and synthetic leather seat upholstery with ice grey accents. The front seats maintain a heating function, while only the driver's seat gets powered adjustment and massage.

More Alcantara is found on the dashboard along with a Sport Speciale logo, while there's ice grey stitching on the door cards, central armrest, and steering wheel. Otherwise, that's all for the new limited-edition Junior.

Alfa Romeo Australia has also given the Sport Speciale treatment to the larger Tonale, though it features some unique changes such as 20-inch alloy wheels, black brake calipers with white Alfa Romeo script, and a Harman Kardon sound system.

As mentioned, the Junior Sport Speciale still utilises a 1.2-litre mild-hybrid powertrain, with outputs quoted at 107kW of power and 230Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Alfa Romeo has confirmed the Sport Speciale isn't available in fully electric Elettrica guise, with that model still $7000 more expensive than the special-edition Ibrida.

Since its Australian launch in late 2025, the Junior has struggled to get off the ground sales-wise.

Alfa Romeo only shifted 69 units of its smallest SUV in the first six months of 2026, down massively on light SUV segment rivals like the Volkswagen T-Cross (424 units).

However, the Junior is currently the Italian brand's best-selling model in Australia. It's one unit ahead of the second-placed Giulia (68) on the sales charts so far this year, and is comfortably ahead of the Tonale (43) and Stelvio (28).

2026 Alfa Romeo Junior pricing:

MORE: Explore the Alfa Romeo Junior showroom