Verdict
The RM28,810 dearer Lexus RX is the more practical five-seat choice: its 612-litre boot is 132 litres larger, it brings all-wheel drive, and its 68-litre tank is 10 litres bigger. It also has heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a 360-degree camera and head-up display. But the Alfa Romeo Giulia is 424 kg lighter and reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds versus 7.6 seconds, while costing RM376 less annually in road tax. For Malaysian buyers who value driving response over SUV utility, the Giulia is the sharper buy.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if 5.7-second 0-100 km/h pace, rear-wheel drive and a RM440,078 price matter more than SUV space and equipment.
Pick the Lexus RX if you need a 612-litre boot, all-wheel drive, five doors and its broader comfort equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; Lexus RX RM468,888.
- Performance: Giulia 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; RX in 7.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Giulia rear-wheel drive; RX all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Giulia 480 litres; RX 612 litres.
- Kerb weight: Giulia 1,490 kg; RX 1,914 kg.
- Annual road tax: Giulia RM378; RX RM754.
Giulia
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 424 kg lighter than the RX
- RM28,810 lower purchase price
- 480-litre boot trails the RX's 612 litres
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No head-up display or 360-degree camera
RX
- 612-litre boot and five-door SUV body
- All-wheel drive with 430 Nm
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.9 seconds slower
- RM28,810 higher purchase price
- RM754 annual road tax is RM376 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,078✓ | RM 468,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp✓ | 275 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| 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, Driver's Knee |
| 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 |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector |
| 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 | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| 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 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium 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 with Stop and Go |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 378✓ | RM 754 |
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 & RX for sale
Giulia vs RX FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Lexus RX better?
The Giulia is better for outright pace and lower ownership entry cost, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. The RX is better for carrying people and luggage, with five doors, all-wheel drive and a 612-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888, which is RM28,810 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia at RM440,078.
Which is faster, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Lexus RX?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is faster, completing 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds against the Lexus RX's 7.6 seconds. The Giulia also has a stated 240 km/h top speed.