ALFA Romeo has a winner on its hands. Not only is the all-new Giulia the most hyped Alfa sedan in decades, but in flagship QV guise, it’s a giant-killer too, having recently stunned its lauded rivals from AMG and BMW M in our latest sports sedan showdown.

But how does Alfa’s billion Euro baby fare without the beefed-up Quadrifoglio dressing? Can it really be just as impressive in run-of-the-mill Super guise? In many ways this battle is the real test of the Giulia’s mettle – while range-topping flagships are important, it’s the mid-spec variants in the $60-70K bracket that gobble up the bulk of sales in the tightly fought mid-size luxury category.

Our reigning champ in this segment is the Jaguar XE 25t, found here in handsome R-Sport guise it can be rolled off the showroom floor for $68,900. However, our test car cost $87,590 with a slew of options fitted. The XE is a 2016 Car of the Year finalist, and a class leader, praised for its chassis balance, ride refinement, and selection of perky engines. With optional adaptive dampers (costing $1,910), it is able to provide both smooth refinement, and sporty aggression at the flick of a button.

Interestingly, every car in this trio follows the same drivetrain recipe: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot up front, eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive.

As tested, the Alfa remained the cheapest at $70,395.

The Giulia Super’s 2.0-litre turbo engine is a perky little unit. It doesn’t have the same ‘designed by Ferrari’ PR hype as the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the QV, but it revs happily, and is torquey throughout the rev range. It will easily cruise in relative quiet on the highway, and in-gear acceleration doesn’t leave you wanting for more.

Nipping at the Giulia’s fun-to-drive heals is the XE, which holds onto the road impressively. The XE has heavier steering that communicates what is happening at the front wheels better than the Alfa, though it is less eager to tip in, and tends toward understeer earlier than the Giulia. If you are patient on turn in, the Jaguar rewards with a sweet balance in the corners, and its standard torque vectoring helps it through the bends.

It is the quickest in a straight line, but also the thirstiest, drinking over a litre per 100km more than its rivals in this comparison (10.8L/100km v 9.8L/100km in the Alfa, and 8.9L/100km for the BMW). Power is delivered in a smooth fashion, but it is higher in the rev range where the XE really comes alive.

It is the same with the engine, with Sport and Manual modes required to really get the most out of it. However, for day to day driving, the BMW excels.

Where the 4 Series really has the edge is inside. Despite its coupe roofline, there is more leg and headroom in the back of the BMW than in the Jag or Alfa. However, don’t expect to put three people across the back row for anything but short trips. Its 2+1 back row design means four people max out comfortable cabin space.

The Giulia’s interior is the most stripped-back and minimalist, though it doesn’t feel bare, rather it has a light and airy vibe. The 8.8-inch infotainment screen blends well with the dash design, and is easy to use and navigate, unlike the Jag’s. In the spec we tested, the cabin of the Jag felt somewhat dark and cramped. All black leather for the seats, headliner, and dash didn’t help. The touchscreen infotainment system was difficult to use safely on the move, with small buttons that are closely grouped. However, the $3,760 optional Meridian Digital sound system in the Jag is the best of the bunch. In such a tight battle, it is issues like ease of use that separate the final order.

The BMW is the most accomplished of the bunch from a practical day-to-day standpoint, but misses the mark dynamically by demanding too much manhandling to get through its initial lethargy and into the best bits.

It is the Giulia which excels, and proves Alfa’s comeback isn’t reserved for the high-rolling sports sedan crowd. The mid-spec Super is more than just a one-trick pony, being a winner both dynamically, and around town, thanks to its engaged driver appeal and well behaved on-road manners.

Model: Jaguar XE 25t R-Sport Engine: 1999cc inline four-cylinder turbo Max power: 177kW @ 5500rpm Max torque: 340Nm @ 1750-4000rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic L/W/H: 4672/1967/1416mm Wheelbase: 2835mm Weight: 1520kg 0-100km/h: 6.7 seconds (tested) Economy: 10.8L/100km (as tested) Price: $87,590 On sale: Now

Model: Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Engine: 1995cc inline four-cylinder turbo Max power: 147kW @ 5000rpm Max torque: 330Nm @ 1750rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic L/W/H: 4643/1860/1436mm Wheelbase: 2820mm Weight: 1492kg 0-100km/h: 8.3 seconds (tested) Economy: 9.8L/100km (as tested) Price: $70,395 On sale: Now