Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 undercuts the RM440,078 Alfa Romeo Giulia by RM145,278 and brings a 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km range and 180-kW DC charging. That is a major advantage for a Malaysian buyer able to charge at home or on the road. The Giulia remains the quicker, lighter driver’s choice: 276 hp and 400 Nm take 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h, against the i4’s 6.0 seconds, while 1,490 kg plays 2,075 kg. But the BMW adds a 360-degree camera, head-up display and powered boot.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 240 km/h top speed and 1,490-kg kerb weight of a petrol rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Pick the BMW i4 if RM145,278 saved, 500 km of EV range and 180 kW DC charging matter more than outright performance.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Powertrain: Giulia 276 hp/400 Nm 1,995-cc turbo petrol; i4 one 282-hp/400-Nm electric motor with 70.3-kWh battery.
- Performance: Giulia 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and 240 km/h; i4 6.0 seconds and 190 km/h.
- Weight: Giulia 1,490 kg; i4 2,075 kg.
- Practicality: Giulia 480-litre boot and four doors; i4 470-litre boot and five doors.
- Parking assistance: Giulia reverse camera with four front/four rear sensors; i4 360-degree camera, auto parking and six front/six rear sensors.
Giulia
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h sprint and 240 km/h top speed.
- 585 kg lighter than the i4.
- Larger 480-litre boot and extra driver/front-passenger knee airbags.
- Costs RM145,278 more than the i4.
- No 500-km EV range or 11-kW AC/180-kW DC charging capability.
- Lacks the i4’s 360-degree camera, auto parking, head-up display and powered boot.
i4
- RM294,800 price is RM145,278 lower.
- 70.3-kWh battery, 500-km range, 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging.
- Gets a 360-degree camera, auto parking, head-up display and powered boot.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 6.0 seconds versus 5.7 seconds.
- Weighs 2,075 kg, 585 kg more than the Giulia.
- Smaller 470-litre boot and lower 190 km/h top speed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & 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, 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 2nd Row 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | — | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM305✓ |
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 & i4 for sale
Giulia vs i4 FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW i4 better?
The BMW i4 is the stronger buy on price, EV range and parking technology, costing RM145,278 less with 500 km of range. Choose the Alfa Romeo Giulia for the quicker 5.7-second sprint, 240 km/h top speed and much lower 1,490-kg weight.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078 and the BMW i4 costs RM294,800, so the Giulia is RM145,278 more expensive.
Which one is better for long-distance driving?
The BMW i4 has a stated 500-km EV range and supports 180-kW DC charging, but charging access is essential. The Giulia has a 58-litre petrol tank and no stated range figure; it is also faster, reaching 240 km/h versus 190 km/h.