Verdict
At RM440,078, the Giulia costs RM99,278 more than the RM340,800 5 Series, yet it is the stronger performance choice: 276 hp, 400 Nm and 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h versus 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds. The BMW answers with executive-car scale, measuring 5,060 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot, against 4,643 mm, 2,820 mm and 480 litres. For Malaysian buyers, the Alfa’s extra pace and eight airbags must matter more than the BMW’s lower entry price and added parking convenience.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you will pay more for 276 hp, 400 Nm, a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time and eight airbags.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want to spend less on a larger sedan with a 14.9-inch display, 360-degree camera and powered boot.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW 5 Series RM340,800.
- Power and torque: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp and 400 Nm; BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 seconds; BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds.
- Length and wheelbase: Alfa Romeo Giulia 4,643 mm and 2,820 mm; BMW 5 Series 5,060 mm and 2,900 mm.
- Airbags: Alfa Romeo Giulia 8; BMW 5 Series 6.
- Central display: Alfa Romeo Giulia 8.8 inches; BMW 5 Series 14.9 inches.
Giulia
- 276 hp and 400 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.
- Eight airbags, including driver and front-passenger knee airbags.
- Five-year, 150,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- RM99,278 more expensive.
- Smaller at 4,643 mm long with a 2,820 mm wheelbase, versus 5,060 mm and 2,900 mm.
- 8.8-inch screen and reversing camera lack the BMW’s 14.9-inch display and 360-degree camera.
5 Series
- RM99,278 lower purchase price.
- 5,060 mm length, 2,900 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot.
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display, 360-degree camera and contactless powered boot.
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the Giulia’s 276 hp and 400 Nm.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.8 seconds behind the Giulia.
- Six airbags versus the Giulia’s eight.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM340,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp at 5,250 rpm✓ | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,250 rpm✓ | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Eight-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Style-934 Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| 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, 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 on 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 Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 & 5 Series for sale
Giulia vs 5 Series FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW 5 Series better?
The BMW 5 Series is the better choice for most buyers because it costs less, is 417 mm longer and has more parking and cabin technology. Choose the Giulia for its 276 hp output, 5.7-second sprint and eight airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078 and the BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, so the Giulia is RM99,278 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW 5 Series?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. The BMW 5 Series takes 7.5 seconds, despite both using eight-speed automatic transmissions and rear-wheel drive.
