Verdict
The BMW X5 costs RM29,722 more at RM469,800, but it is the more useful family car: its 650-litre boot is 170 litres larger, it has five doors, and its 2,975-mm wheelbase is 155 mm longer. It also brings 308 hp, 540 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Giulia at RM440,078 is 750 kg lighter, rear-wheel drive and far less punishing at the road-tax counter: RM378 yearly against RM1,637. For Malaysian buyers who need space and equipment, take the X5; for a lower-running-cost performance sedan, the Giulia has a clear case.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want a 1,490-kg rear-wheel-drive sedan with 276 hp and RM1,259 lower annual road tax.
Pick the BMW X5 if you need a 650-litre boot, all-wheel drive, 540 Nm and the extra convenience of air suspension, a panoramic sunroof and 360-degree parking view.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; BMW X5 RM469,800.
- Performance: Giulia 276 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; X5 308 hp, 540 Nm and 5.4 seconds.
- Size: Giulia is 4,643 mm long with a 2,820-mm wheelbase; X5 is 4,935 mm long with a 2,975-mm wheelbase.
- Weight and drive: Giulia is 1,490 kg and rear-wheel drive; X5 is 2,240 kg and all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: Giulia has four doors and a 480-litre boot; X5 has five doors and a 650-litre boot.
- Road tax: Giulia RM378 per year; X5 RM1,637 per year.
Giulia
- 750 kg lighter than the X5.
- Rear-wheel drive with 276 hp and 400 Nm.
- Five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 480-litre boot trails the X5's 650 litres.
- Rear air-con is limited to rear vents, versus dual-zone automatic climate control.
- No panoramic sunroof, head-up display, 360-degree camera or auto parking.
X5
- 308 hp, 540 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 650-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers, plus a 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- RM29,722 more expensive.
- At 2,240 kg, it is 750 kg heavier.
- Annual road tax is RM1,637, versus RM378 for the Giulia.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,078✓ | RM 469,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 540 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 83 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 for 2 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 | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear 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 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 | — | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 378✓ | RM 1,637 |
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 & X5 for sale
Giulia vs X5 FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW X5 better?
The BMW X5 is better for family space, equipment and outright performance, with a 650-litre boot, 540 Nm and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Giulia for its much lower weight, rear-wheel drive and RM378 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM29,722 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia: RM469,800 against RM440,078.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia does. Its annual road tax is RM378, compared with RM1,637 for the BMW X5, a RM1,259 yearly difference.