Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078, leaving a RM458,722 gap to the RM898,800 BMW M3 Touring. That is serious money, and the Alfa also carries RM378 annual road tax against the BMW’s RM2,113. The M3 Touring earns its price with 523 hp and 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time; the Giulia makes 276 hp and 400 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Yet the Alfa is 435 kg lighter and 158 mm shorter, so it should be the less bulky proposition for daily Malaysian parking. Choose on budget and pace, not badge alone.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if RM458,722 saved, RM378 annual road tax and a 1,490-kg rear-wheel-drive sedan matter more than super-wagon acceleration.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you need 523 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 500-litre boot and the extra parking, display and chassis hardware.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Performance: Giulia 276 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; M3 Touring 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Giulia rear-wheel drive; M3 Touring all-wheel drive.
- Weight: Giulia 1,490 kg; M3 Touring 1,925 kg.
- Practicality: Giulia is a four-door sedan with 480 litres of boot space; M3 Touring is a five-door wagon with 500 litres.
- Annual road tax: Giulia RM378; M3 Touring RM2,113.
Giulia
- RM458,722 cheaper to buy.
- 435 kg lighter than the M3 Touring.
- Five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 276 hp and 400 Nm trail the M3 Touring’s 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds behind the BMW.
- 480-litre boot is 20 litres smaller, and it has four doors rather than five.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- 500-litre wagon boot and five doors.
- Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential, 360-degree camera and head-up display.
- RM898,800 price is RM458,722 higher.
- RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,735 more.
- 1,925 kg kerb weight is 435 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 523 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 3.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver and 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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, 16-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 | 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM2,113 |
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 & M3 Touring for sale
Giulia vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW M3 Touring better?
The BMW M3 Touring is better for outright performance, traction, boot access and equipment, with 523 hp and 3.6-second acceleration. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the smarter cost-led choice at RM440,078, with far lower road tax and 435 kg less mass.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM898,800 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078, so the BMW is RM458,722 more expensive.
Which has lower running charges in Malaysia?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has the lower stated annual road tax at RM378, versus RM2,113 for the BMW M3 Touring. Its 1,995 cc engine is also 998 cc smaller than the BMW’s 2,993 cc unit.