Verdict
At RM440,078, the Giulia costs RM99,278 more than the RM340,800 5 Series, yet brings 276 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time against 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds. Annual road tax is effectively identical at RM378 and RM379. The BMW is the more rational Malaysian buy: it is 417 mm longer, has an 80 mm longer wheelbase, and adds a 14.9-inch display, 360-degree camera and head-up display. Choose the Alfa only if its 1.8-second sprint advantage matters more than space and equipment.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if 276 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h run matter more to you than the RM99,278 premium.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the longer 5,060 mm executive sedan with stronger parking technology and cabin equipment for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW 5 Series RM340,800.
- Performance: Giulia 276 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; 5 Series 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds.
- Dimensions: Giulia 4,643 mm long with a 2,820 mm wheelbase; 5 Series 5,060 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Giulia 480 litres; 5 Series 490 litres.
- Displays and camera: Giulia 8.8-inch touchscreen with reversing camera; 5 Series 14.9-inch display with 360-degree camera.
- Standard warranty: Giulia five years/150,000 km; 5 Series two years/unlimited mileage, with a three-year unlimited-mileage extension.
Giulia
- 276 hp and 400 Nm deliver a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Matrix adaptive LED projectors and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- Driver and front passenger knee airbags are fitted.
- Its 4,643 mm length and 2,820 mm wheelbase are 417 mm and 80 mm shorter than the BMW's.
- The 8.8-inch screen and reversing camera trail the BMW's 14.9-inch display and 360-degree camera; there is no head-up display.
- Rear occupants get vents rather than dual-zone automatic climate control, and there are no rear window shades.
5 Series
- The 5,060 mm body, 2,900 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot exceed the Giulia's figures.
- A 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display, head-up display and 360-degree camera are standard.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors, powered contactless boot opening and rear window shades add useful daily convenience.
- It gives away 68 hp and 70 Nm, taking 7.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h against the Giulia's 5.7 seconds.
- Its standard warranty lasts two years against the Giulia's five; reaching five years requires the three-year extended warranty.
- Its Harman Kardon system has 12 speakers, versus 14 in the Giulia.
| 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✓ | 208 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 330 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | 82 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | 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 better for most buyers because it costs less, is substantially longer and has more parking and cabin technology. The Giulia is the better choice only for outright pace, with 276 hp and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM99,278 more than the BMW 5 Series: RM440,078 versus RM340,800.
Which car is easier to park?
The BMW 5 Series has the stronger parking kit: a 360-degree camera and six sensors at both ends, versus the Giulia's reversing camera and four front and four rear sensors. Its longer 5,060 mm body still needs more parking space, however.