Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW i5 costs RM71,278 less at RM368,800, yet brings a 83.9-kWh battery, 627 km stated range and 205-kW DC charging. It is also the much larger sedan, with a 2,995-mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot. The Alfa Romeo Giulia fights back with a 276-hp, 400-Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time and 240-km/h top speed. Pick the Giulia for the lighter, quicker petrol RWD format; the i5 is the more practical and better-equipped choice on paper.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h sedan with a 240-km/h top speed and a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want an EV with 627 km stated range, 205-kW DC charging, more rear-seat space and a lower RM368,800 price.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW i5 RM368,800.
- Performance: Giulia 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and 240 km/h; i5 6.0 seconds and 193 km/h.
- Powertrain: Giulia 276 hp/400 Nm 1,995-cc turbo petrol; i5 335 hp/430 Nm single motor.
- Size: Giulia wheelbase 2,820 mm and boot 480 litres; i5 wheelbase 2,995 mm and boot 490 litres.
- Energy: Giulia has a 58-litre petrol tank; i5 has an 83.9-kWh battery, 627-km range and 205-kW DC charging.
- Weight: Giulia 1,490 kg; i5 2,205 kg.
Giulia
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher 240-km/h top speed
- 5-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM71,278 more
- Smaller 2,820-mm wheelbase and 480-litre boot
- No sunroof, head-up display, 360-degree camera or auto parking
i5
- 83.9-kWh battery with 627 km stated range
- Larger 2,995-mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot
- Gets panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 193-km/h top speed
- Heavier at 2,205 kg versus 1,490 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM368,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM395 |
| 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 | — | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 430 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 627 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 205 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✓ | 193 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 | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,205 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Pirelli P Zero Elekt |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" 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 | Electric 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 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 | 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 Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 & i5 for sale
Giulia vs i5 FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW i5 better?
The BMW i5 is the stronger all-round choice: it costs less, has a 627-km stated EV range, a longer 2,995-mm wheelbase and more parking and cabin equipment. Choose the Giulia if its quicker acceleration and 240-km/h top speed matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078, so the i5 is RM71,278 cheaper.
Which is faster, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW i5?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is faster on the stated figures, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds versus 6.0 seconds for the BMW i5. Its 240-km/h top speed also exceeds the i5’s 193 km/h.