Alfa Romeo Giulia vs Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the sensible driver’s choice here, at RM440,078 against the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE’s RM722,888. That RM282,810 gap is huge in Malaysia, and the Giulia also gets five seats, a bigger 480-litre boot, a five-year warranty and RM378 annual road tax. The AMG CLE answers with serious pace: 443 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. It is quicker and broader, but also costlier to buy, tax and live with.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the lower entry price, five seats, more boot space and a longer five-year warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want the harder-hitting powertrain, all-wheel drive and the quicker 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888
- Output: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp and 400 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 443 hp and 650 Nm
- Acceleration and top speed: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 seconds and 240 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4.2 seconds and 250 km/h
- Drivetrain: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive with a conventional automatic; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE all-wheel drive with a wet dual-clutch automatic
- Seats and boot: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5 seats and 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 4 seats and 420 litres
- Warranty and road tax: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5 years and RM378 a year; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 2 years and RM2,128 a year
Giulia
- RM282,810 cheaper to buy
- Five seats and 480-litre boot
- Five-year warranty with RM378 annual road tax
- 167 hp and 250 Nm down on the AMG CLE
- Slower 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- No all-wheel drive
AMG CLE
- 443 hp and 650 Nm gives it a big output advantage
- Quicker 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive and 65-litre fuel tank
- Costs RM282,810 more
- Only four seats and a smaller 420-litre boot
- Two-year warranty and RM2,128 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,078✓ | RM 722,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| 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 | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 443 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | 2200 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AMG Ride Control 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's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 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 | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| 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 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 | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| 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 Surround View Camera |
| 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 Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 378✓ | RM 2,128 |
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.
Giulia vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE is better for outright performance, with 443 hp, 650 Nm and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the better buy if you need five seats, a 480-litre boot and lower running costs.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM282,810 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia, based on RM722,888 versus RM440,078.
Which car is more practical for daily use?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is more practical on paper. It has five seats, a 480-litre boot, lower RM378 annual road tax and a five-year warranty, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE has four seats, 420 litres and a two-year warranty.