Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078 against the BMW M5’s RM1,200,800, leaving a RM760,722 gap that is hard to ignore in Malaysia. The M5 is brutally quicker at 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 5.7, adds all-wheel drive and a 67-km EV range from its 22.1-kWh battery. But it weighs 2,510 kg, is 453 mm longer and attracts RM8,408 annual road tax; the Giulia is a far less financially demanding 1,490-kg sedan with RM378 road tax and a larger 480-litre boot.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the far lower purchase and road-tax bills, a 480-litre boot and a more compact 4,643-mm sedan.
Pick the BMW M5 if 3.5-second performance, all-wheel drive, PHEV capability and substantially richer cabin and parking equipment matter more than cost.
Key differences
- Performance: the Giulia has 276 hp and 400 Nm, while the M5 has 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h takes 5.7 seconds in the Giulia and 3.5 seconds in the M5.
- Powertrain: the Giulia is a 1,995-cc petrol sedan; the M5 is a 4,395-cc petrol plug-in hybrid with one 194-hp, 280-Nm motor, a 22.
- Size and mass: the Giulia is 4,643 mm long and 1,490 kg; the M5 is 5,096 mm long and 2,510 kg.
- Boot space: the Giulia holds 480 litres, while the M5 holds 466 litres.
- Road tax: the Giulia costs RM378 per year and the M5 costs RM8,408 per year.
Giulia
- RM760,722 cheaper to buy.
- 480-litre boot is 14 litres larger.
- Five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 276 hp and 400 Nm trail the M5’s 591 hp and 750 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of the M5’s all-wheel drive.
- No 360-degree camera or auto parking.
M5
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 67-km EV range from a 22.1-kWh battery.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- RM760,722 higher purchase price.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM378.
- 2,510 kg kerb weight and a smaller 466-litre boot.
| 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 | — | 5 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 the stronger choice for outright pace, all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid running and equipment. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the sensible choice if purchase cost, annual road tax, lower weight and boot capacity carry more weight.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM760,722 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia. That difference also comes with far higher annual road tax: RM8,408 against RM378.
Can the BMW M5 be driven on electric power?
Yes. The BMW M5 is a plug-in hybrid with a 22.1-kWh battery, one electric motor rated at 194 hp and 280 Nm, and a stated EV range of 67 km. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is petrol-only.