Alfa Romeo Giulia vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
Verdict
At RM440,078 against RM518,888, the Alfa Romeo Giulia leaves RM78,810 in hand and is the quicker car to 100 km/h, doing it in 5.7 seconds versus 6.2. It also has five seats and a 480-litre boot, useful if this is your only car. The Mercedes-Benz CLE answers with all-wheel drive, a longer 2,865 mm wheelbase, a 66-litre tank and a higher 250 km/h top speed, but its coupe body gives you four seats and 460 litres of boot space.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the lower price, stronger 276 hp output, quicker 0-100 km/h time and a proper five-seat cabin.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want a larger coupe with all-wheel drive, a 66-litre fuel tank and the higher 250 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888
- Power: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 s; Mercedes-Benz CLE 6.2 s
- Driven wheels: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz CLE all-wheel drive
- Seats and boot: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5 seats, 480 L; Mercedes-Benz CLE 4 seats, 460 L
- Warranty: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5 years; Mercedes-Benz CLE 4 years
Giulia
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats and a 480-litre boot
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Rear-wheel drive only
- Lower 240 km/h top speed
- Smaller 58-litre fuel tank
CLE
- All-wheel drive traction
- Higher 250 km/h top speed
- Longer 2,865 mm wheelbase
- Costs RM78,810 more
- Four seats only
- Smaller 460-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,078✓ | RM 518,888 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 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 | 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-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 | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 6 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 378✓ | RM 380 |
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 CLE FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the better practical buy on these numbers: it is cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h, has five seats and a larger boot. The Mercedes-Benz CLE suits buyers who specifically want a coupe with all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM78,810 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Road tax is almost the same, at RM380 a year for the Mercedes-Benz CLE and RM378 for the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is quicker, taking 5.7 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz CLE takes 6.2 seconds, although it has the higher listed top speed at 250 km/h versus 240 km/h.