Verdict
At 1,490 kg, rear-wheel drive and 276 hp/400 Nm, the Alfa Romeo Giulia gives Malaysian buyers a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h sedan with a five-year/150,000-km warranty and RM378 annual road tax. The BMW M3 Touring changes the brief: 523 hp, 650 Nm and all-wheel drive cut 0-100 km/h to 3.6 seconds, while its five-door body brings a 500-litre boot. It is also 435 kg heavier, and its RM2,113 road tax is far steeper.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the lighter rear-wheel-drive sedan, lower RM378 annual road tax and five-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you need 523 hp, 650 Nm, 3.6-second acceleration and a five-door 500-litre load space.
Key differences
- Power: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp; BMW M3 Touring 523 hp.
- Torque: Alfa Romeo Giulia 400 Nm; BMW M3 Touring 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 seconds; BMW M3 Touring 3.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive; BMW M3 Touring all-wheel drive.
- Kerb weight: Alfa Romeo Giulia 1,490 kg; BMW M3 Touring 1,925 kg.
- Boot space: Alfa Romeo Giulia 480 litres; BMW M3 Touring 500 litres.
Giulia
- 435 kg lighter than the BMW M3 Touring.
- Five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Eight airbags to the BMW's six.
- 276 hp and 400 Nm trail the BMW's 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds slower.
- Four-door sedan body and 480-litre boot are less versatile than the BMW's five-door, 500-litre layout.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- All-wheel drive, Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- Powered boot, 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
- RM2,113 annual road tax versus the Giulia's RM378.
- 1,925 kg kerb weight is 435 kg above the Giulia's.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the Giulia.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM2,113 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp at 5,250 rpm | 523 hp at 6,250 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,250 rpm | 650 Nm at 2,750 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 3.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag) | 6 (Driver and 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| 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 Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| 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 |
| 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 & M3 Touring for sale
Giulia vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW M3 Touring better?
The BMW M3 Touring is better for outright pace, all-wheel-drive traction and load-carrying flexibility, with 523 hp and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Giulia suits buyers prioritising lower road tax, lower weight and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800, which is RM458,722 more than the RM440,078 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Which has the better warranty?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has the longer manufacturer warranty at five years and 150,000 km. The BMW M3 Touring has a two-year manufacturer warranty, plus a three-year extended warranty with unlimited mileage.
