Lancia Gamma 2026 review: The Hidden Beauty of an Italian Car
We’ve really missed Lancia. With the new Lancia Gamma, the Italian brand finally has a proper family car again. It’s a striking crossover that becomes more appealing with each glance, plus it boasts an impressive electric range of up to 741 kilometers. We drove both the electric and hybrid versions in Naples.
Lancia is back. And this time they mean it.
There are car brands you appreciate for their technology, others for their performance. Then there’s Lancia—a brand that has built cars for decades that people bought mainly because they connected emotionally with them. Think of the Aurelia, Fulvia, Gamma Coupé, and of course the legendary Delta Integrale. Not always trouble-free, but rarely boring.
The new Ypsilon marked the first step toward a comeback in 2024. But a single compact model isn’t enough to build a full-fledged automotive brand. The new Gamma is meant to change that. At 4.67 meters in length, it enters the highly competitive segment of mid-size SUVs and crossovers. Yet Lancia doesn’t aim to stand out through extreme performance or technical feats, but rather through Italian uniqueness.
The longer you look at it, the more beautiful the Lancia Gamma becomes
The new Gamma is the kind of car you can’t immediately categorize. Upon first encounter, we even had to adjust to its somewhat unusual fastback shape. Is it an SUV, a raised coupe, or rather an Italian interpretation of the DS N°7, which it shares its technical foundation with?
In fact, the Gamma reminds us of Naples, the city where our test drive took place. At first glance, it’s a somewhat dilapidated, chaotic port city with plenty of industry, pollution, and nearly chaotic traffic. It’s not exactly a city that captivates you at first sight. But those who stay longer discover more and more beauty in its narrow streets, old buildings, and unique architecture—details you might have missed initially.
A similar thing happens with the Lancia Gamma. The longer you look at it, the more you begin to appreciate its design. The distinctive roof line, black C-pillars, and subtle references to earlier Lancia models become increasingly noticeable. Especially as dusk falls, the car takes on a special charm. Its characteristic T-shaped lighting on the front and rear gives the Gamma an increasingly eccentric appearance.
You can see that the Italians didn’t just create a DS N°7 with a different outfit, but a car with its own identity. A true Lancia, which might not be considered beautiful by everyone at first glance, but has increasingly impressed us over time.
Fifty years after the first Gamma
The name Gamma is not new. In 1976, Lancia introduced a uniquely designed fastback berline, followed later by the stunning Pininfarina-designed Gamma Coupé. The car was technically advanced, but not always reliable. It certainly lacked in character, however.
The new Gamma shares mainly its name and uniqueness with its predecessor. It has not become a classic sedan or coupe. Commercially, it is probably a sensible choice, though we would have liked to see a true Italian sedan as well.
A interior that dares to be different
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Gamma is its interior. While many manufacturers opt for large screens, bare dashboards, and black plastic, Lancia takes a different approach.
Lancia calls it the Italian Home Feeling. And there’s quite a bit of truth to that. The horizontal lines of the dashboard, the unique seat upholstery, and the ambient lighting give the interior a warm, almost homey atmosphere. It’s especially the combination of colors and materials that makes the difference. The comfortable seats, whose design draws inspiration from earlier Lancia models, also contribute to this feel. Depending on the trim level, they come equipped with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
And of course, there’s the well-known tavolino, the round table on the center console that we’ve seen in the Ypsilon. You can use it to hold an espresso while parked, but what’s more useful is the built-in wireless phone charger. A typical Lancia detail.
The driver is equipped with a 10.25-inch digital dashboard, along with a central 16-inch touchscreen. The SALA infotainment system even features a voice assistant powered by ChatGPT. Fortunately, there are also some physical buttons available. The back seat area is spacious, and with 560 liters of cargo space, the Gamma is also a practical family car.
Familiar technology, three electric versions
Beneath its Italian-inspired body, the Gamma shares the STLA Medium platform with models such as the Peugeot 3008, Opel Grandland, Citroën C5 Aircross, and DS N°7. It has particularly close technical similarities to the latter model. This shouldn’t be a problem as long as Lancia manages to give it its own distinct character.
The all-electric Gamma is available in three versions. The Standard Range has 230 horsepower, a 73.7 kWh battery pack, and a WLTP range of up to 543 kilometers. The Long Range delivers 245 horsepower and, with its 97.2 kWh battery pack, achieves a maximum range of 741 kilometers. At the top is the HF Integrale with all-wheel drive, offering up to 375 horsepower and a WLTP range of 676 kilometers.
The HF Integrale accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. It’s an impressive performance, though this nearly 2,300 kilogram heavy crossover is of course not a modern version of the legendary Delta Integrale. It is primarily designed as a fast, comfortable family car.
How does the new Lancia Gamma drive?
The first few kilometers driving the electric Lancia Gamma quickly reveal where the Italians place their priorities. Not on sportiness, but on comfort, ease of use, and flexibility. With 245 horsepower, this over-two-ton crossover has more than enough power to accelerate smoothly. The electric motor responds nicely and gradually to the accelerator pedal, always providing sufficient torque when needed, such as when you want to overtake quickly. The 0-to-100 km/h acceleration time is 7.8 seconds. It’s not spectacular for a modern EV, but it’s actually perfect for this Lancia’s character.
What stands out most is how confidently the electric Gamma drives. Despite its substantial weight, it feels quite agile and well-balanced on the narrow, winding roads around Naples. The steering is light, yet the car follows the chosen path neatly and remains stable even in longer turns. The chassis doesn’t lean excessively, and when exiting a turn, the front-wheel drive system delivers power effectively to the asphalt. You never feel like you’re driving a bulky SUV at all.
The chassis also deserves praise. The electric Gamma features a multi-link rear suspension that is clearly tuned for comfortable driving. It handles imperfections smoothly without the suspension feeling overly soft. The car remains well-controlled when speed increases. It is this combination of comfort and stability that makes it an exceptionally pleasant road car. The excellent sound insulation enhances this feeling, keeping wind and tire noises at a low level so you can travel long distances in comfort.
For us, the electric drive fits perfectly with the character Lancia wants to convey through the Gamma. It’s not a car that constantly encourages aggressive driving, but rather one where you can easily cover long distances unnoticed. The Gamma feels mature, drives comfortably, and exudes the same calmness on the road that its interior aims to deliver.
We also drove the mild hybrid Gamma Hybrid 145 for a short time. It combines a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine with electric assistance, producing 145 horsepower. This is more than sufficient for gentle driving, but once you demand more power, you realize the engine is somewhat underpowered for a car of this size. The electric version of the Gamma feels more powerful, smoother, and certainly more convincing. Whether the hybrid will be available in the Netherlands remains uncertain, as Lancia is still exploring that option.
741 kilometers: Lancia competes at the top
The secret lies mainly in its large 97.2 kWh battery pack, combined with an efficient aerodynamic design. Of course, 741 kilometers is an official test figure, and the actual range will be lower, especially on highways or in cold temperatures. But even if you have to deduct a significant amount from this in practice, there’s still enough range to cover long distances without charging concerns.
There is one caveat, however. The Gamma uses a 400-volt system and can charge quickly at up to 160 kW. According to Lancia, it takes about 27 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%. This is acceptable, but several competitors now offer 800-volt technology that allows for much faster charging. For a car that emphasizes long-range performance so much, we would have liked to see more ambition in this area.
How much does the Lancia Gamma cost in the Netherlands?
The electric Gamma Long Range has a starting price of €51,950 in the Netherlands. It comes equipped with 245 horsepower, a large battery pack, and a range of up to 741 kilometers. The sporty HF Integrale will also be available at launch, but its price in the Netherlands is not yet known.
Later, a Standard Range version with a smaller battery pack and likely a lower starting price will follow. The first units in the Netherlands are expected in the first quarter of 2027.
A compelling advantage is the Lancia Special Warranty. It allows the warranty to be extended free of charge under certain conditions for up to eight years or 160,000 kilometers, provided that the required maintenance is carried out at official Lancia service centers. The Gamma is actually built in Italy, at Stellantis’ factory in Melfi.
Finally, another Lancia to look forward to
Naturally, the Gamma shares its technology with various other Stellantis models. But a car is more than just its platform, electric motor, and battery pack. It is through its design, interior, and unique details that Lancia demonstrates there is still plenty of room for a distinct identity.
Our first encounter also makes it clear that electric powertrains suit the Gamma best. The electric version feels mature, confident, and pleasantly relaxed. The hybrid lacks some power and conviction. Even its fast charging capability could have been better.
But ultimately, enthusiasm prevails for us. Because just like Naples, you need to give the Gamma time to reveal its beauty. First there are doubts about its unique design, then comes appreciation for the details. And in the end, you see a car that truly fits Lancia’s identity again.
Just like Naples, the Gamma gradually won over our hearts more and more. What initially seemed like a somewhat strange appearance turned out to be a surprisingly beautiful and distinctive Italian car. Exactly as we like to see a Lancia.
Text: Marc Verweij