Verdict
Both are rear-wheel-drive compact executive sedans with 400 Nm, yet their use cases split sharply. The Giulia reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, beats the i4’s 6.0 seconds and carries a 480-litre boot, 10 litres more. It is also 585 kg lighter. The i4 counters with a 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km stated range and 11 kW AC/180 kW DC charging, plus five doors, a 360-degree camera and auto parking. For Malaysian buyers with home or workplace charging, the BMW is the more rational daily tool; choose the faster petrol Alfa for its 240-km/h ceiling and 8-speed automatic.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 240 km/h top speed and a conventional petrol drivetrain.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want 500 km of stated EV range, DC charging at up to 180 kW and five-door practicality for far less money.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Propulsion: Giulia has a 1,995cc turbo petrol engine with 276 hp and 400 Nm; i4 has one electric motor with 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- Performance: Giulia does 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and reaches 240 km/h; i4 takes 6.0 seconds and reaches 190 km/h.
- Size: Giulia is 4,643 mm long with a 2,820 mm wheelbase; i4 is 4,783 mm long with a 2,856 mm wheelbase.
- Weight: Giulia weighs 1,490 kg; i4 weighs 2,075 kg.
- Access and luggage: Giulia has four doors and a 480-litre boot; i4 has five doors and a 470-litre boot.
Giulia
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h run and 240 km/h top speed.
- 480-litre boot, 10 litres larger than the BMW’s.
- Matrix adaptive LED headlamps, 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio and front knee airbags.
- Four doors versus the BMW i4’s five.
- No head-up display, 360-degree camera or auto parking.
i4
- 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km stated range and 11 kW AC/180 kW DC charging.
- Five doors and a 2,856 mm wheelbase.
- Head-up display, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Slower at 0-100 km/h: 6.0 seconds versus 5.7 seconds.
- 190 km/h top speed versus 240 km/h.
- 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller, and it lacks the Giulia’s front knee airbags.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| 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 |
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 better daily choice if you can charge regularly, thanks to its 500 km stated range, five doors and parking aids. The Giulia is the driver’s pick on the figures, reaching 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner and topping out 50 km/h higher.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM145,278 more than the BMW i4.
How does the BMW i4 charge?
The BMW i4 has a 70.3-kWh battery and accepts AC charging at up to 11 kW or DC charging at up to 180 kW. Its stated EV range is 500 km.