Verdict
At RM440,078, the Giulia costs RM47,278 more than the RM392,800 BMW, yet its 276 hp, 400 Nm four-cylinder takes 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h against 387 hp, 500 Nm and 4.4 seconds. The BMW also gets all-wheel drive, adaptive M suspension, a 14.9-inch display and 360-degree camera. That is difficult arithmetic, although Alfa counters with eight airbags, matrix adaptive LED headlamps, a five-year/150,000-km warranty and far lower RM378 annual road tax. Malaysian buyers chasing performance and equipment should take the BMW; the Alfa’s case is safety count and warranty cover.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want eight airbags, matrix adaptive LED headlamps and a five-year/150,000-km warranty, while paying RM378 a year in road tax.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want 387 hp, 500 Nm, 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and more parking and cabin technology for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW 3 Series M RM392,800.
- Power: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp at 5,250 rpm; BMW 3 Series M 387 hp at 5,800 rpm.
- Torque and acceleration: Alfa Romeo Giulia 400 Nm and 5.7 seconds; BMW 3 Series M 500 Nm and 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h.
- Driveline and weight: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive and 1,490 kg; BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive and 1,800 kg.
- Annual road tax: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM378; BMW 3 Series M RM2,125.
- Manufacturer warranty: Alfa Romeo Giulia five years/150,000 km; BMW 3 Series M two years/unlimited mileage.
Giulia
- Eight airbags, including driver and front-passenger knee airbags.
- Matrix adaptive LED projector headlamps.
- Five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty and much lower road tax.
- RM47,278 more expensive despite 111 hp and 100 Nm less.
- Slower 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.4 seconds.
- No sunroof, head-up display, auto parking or 360-degree monitor.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm deliver a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering and M Sport Differential.
- 14.9-inch display, 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio, head-up display and 360-degree monitor.
- Annual road tax is RM2,125 versus RM378.
- Six airbags versus the Giulia’s eight.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years/150,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM392,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM2,125 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp at 5,250 rpm | 387 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,250 rpm | 500 Nm at 1,900 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,714 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 3 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Giulia & 3 Series M for sale
Giulia vs 3 Series M FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW 3 Series M better?
The BMW 3 Series M is the stronger buy on performance, price and equipment: it has 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Giulia for its eight airbags, matrix LEDs and longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM47,278 more than the BMW 3 Series M.
Which costs less to tax each year?
The Giulia is far cheaper to tax annually at RM378, compared with RM2,125 for the BMW 3 Series M. The RM1,747 yearly gap reflects the Alfa’s 1,995 cc engine against the BMW’s 2,998 cc unit.
