Verdict
The RM760,722 gap is enormous: the BMW M5 buys a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time against the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s 5.7 seconds, plus a 22.1 kWh battery with 67 km of EV range. It also carries RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM378. The Giulia is 1,020 kg lighter at 1,490 kg, 453 mm shorter and has a slightly larger 480-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers, the Alfa is the far less costly, easier-sized sports sedan; the BMW is the much faster PHEV executive car if its price, tax and mass are acceptable.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want a 1,490 kg rear-wheel-drive sedan with a 480-litre boot and dramatically lower RM378 annual road tax.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 3.5-second acceleration, all-wheel drive and 67 km of EV range from its plug-in hybrid system.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- Annual road tax: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM378; BMW M5 RM8,408.
- Engine output: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp and 400 Nm; BMW M5 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- Weight: Alfa Romeo Giulia 1,490 kg; BMW M5 2,510 kg.
- Boot space: Alfa Romeo Giulia 480 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
Giulia
- 1,020 kg lighter than the BMW M5.
- 480-litre boot is 14 litres larger.
- Five-year, 150,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW M5’s 3.5 seconds.
- 276 hp and 400 Nm are well below the BMW M5’s 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- Rear occupants get air-con vents rather than the BMW M5’s dual-zone rear climate control.
M5
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h performance and all-wheel drive.
- 22.1 kWh battery delivers 67 km of EV range.
- Gets a 360-degree camera, auto parking and M Adaptive Suspension.
- Costs RM760,722 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
- At 2,510 kg, it is 1,020 kg heavier than the Giulia.
- Its 466-litre boot is 14 litres smaller than the Giulia’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM8,408 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 591 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 750 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 67 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | M Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 outer two rear passenger 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 Auto High Beam |
| 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 |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 & M5 for sale
Giulia vs M5 FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW M5 better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright pace, all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid EV running, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the more sensible Malaysian choice for cost, lower road tax, lower weight and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM760,722 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia: RM1,200,800 versus RM440,078.
Which car is easier to live with in town?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is easier to place, measuring 4,643 mm long and weighing 1,490 kg. The BMW M5 is 5,096 mm long and 2,510 kg, though it adds a 360-degree camera and auto parking.