Verdict
The Giulia costs RM99,278 more, yet it is 417 mm shorter than the 5 Series and gives away 10 litres of boot space. What that extra money buys is pace: 276 hp and 400 Nm drive the rear wheels to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, against 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds for the BMW. The locally assembled BMW is the more spacious executive sedan, with a 2,900-mm wheelbase, 360-degree camera, head-up display and powered boot. Road tax is effectively a draw at RM378 versus RM379 per year.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if 276 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than rear-seat space, boot room and the RM99,278 saving.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the larger 5,060-mm executive sedan with a 490-litre boot, 360-degree camera and head-up display 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.
- Size: Giulia 4,643 mm long on a 2,820-mm wheelbase; 5 Series 5,060 mm long on a 2,900-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Giulia 480 litres; 5 Series 490 litres.
- Parking assistance: Giulia has a reverse camera and four front sensors; 5 Series has a 360-degree camera and six front sensors.
- Warranty: Giulia has five years/150,000 km manufacturer cover; 5 Series has two years unlimited-mileage manufacturer cover, with a five-year unlimited-mileage…
Giulia
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- More power and torque: 276 hp and 400 Nm.
- Adds driver and front passenger knee airbags, plus a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system.
- RM99,278 more expensive.
- 417 mm shorter with a 2,820-mm wheelbase versus 2,900 mm.
- No head-up display, 360-degree camera or powered boot.
5 Series
- RM99,278 lower purchase price.
- Longer 2,900-mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot.
- Gets a head-up display, 360-degree camera, contactless powered boot and rear window shades.
- Slower at 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 5.7 seconds.
- Produces 208 hp and 330 Nm, against the Giulia's 276 hp and 400 Nm.
- Standard manufacturer warranty is two years, versus five years for 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 | — | 5 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 Malaysian executive-sedan buyers: it costs RM99,278 less, is substantially larger and has more parking and convenience equipment. Choose the Giulia instead if its 276 hp, 400 Nm and 5.7-second sprint are the priority.
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 car is quicker?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and topping out at 240 km/h. The BMW 5 Series takes 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h and has a 230 km/h top speed.