Verdict
At RM440,078, the rear-wheel-drive Giulia is the far cheaper route into this pair, with 276 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time. The RM898,800 M3 Touring costs RM458,722 more, but its 523 hp, 650 Nm and all-wheel drive cut that sprint to 3.6 seconds while adding wagon access, a 500-litre boot and 360-degree camera. For Malaysian ownership, the Alfa’s RM378 annual road tax versus RM2,113 also matters. The BMW is vastly quicker and more practical; the Giulia makes the rational financial case.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if RM458,722 saved, RM378 annual road tax and rear-wheel-drive sedan packaging matter more than outright pace and wagon utility.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if you want 523 hp, 650 Nm, 3.6-second acceleration and five-door practicality despite its much higher purchase price and road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Output: Giulia 276 hp and 400 Nm; M3 Touring 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Giulia 5.7 seconds; M3 Touring 3.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Giulia rear-wheel drive; M3 Touring all-wheel drive.
- Body and boot: Giulia four-door sedan with 480 litres; M3 Touring five-door wagon with 500 litres.
- Annual road tax: Giulia RM378; M3 Touring RM2,113.
Giulia
- RM458,722 cheaper to buy.
- RM1,735 lower annual road tax.
- Five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 276 hp and 400 Nm trail the BMW’s 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds slower.
- No 360-degree camera, auto parking or head-up display.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- Five-door wagon body and 500-litre boot.
- Gets a 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
- Costs RM458,722 more.
- RM2,113 annual road tax is RM1,735 higher.
- At 1,925 kg, it is 435 kg heavier than the Giulia.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM2,113 |
| 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 | — | 3 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 & 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, all-wheel drive, boot space and parking technology. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the better financial choice, costing far less and carrying much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM458,722 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Which has the better warranty cover?
The Giulia has a five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty. The M3 Touring has a two-year manufacturer warranty plus a three-year unlimited-mileage extended warranty, giving five years of unlimited-mileage cover.