Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the cleaner value call for a Malaysian buyer who still needs a proper five-seat, four-door car: it costs RM78,810 less at RM440,078, yet makes 276 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Its 480-litre boot also edges the CLE’s 460 litres. The Mercedes-Benz CLE asks RM518,888 for a more style-led two-door, four-seat format, but answers with all-wheel drive, a 23-hp electric motor, Digital Light matrix LEDs, 360-degree camera and auto parking. Choose practicality and pace in the Alfa; pay extra for the Mercedes’ hardware and cabin kit.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the lower RM440,078 entry price, five seats and quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h performance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want a two-door coupe with all-wheel drive, a 23-hp motor and substantially richer parking and comfort equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888.
- Performance: Giulia 276 hp and 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; CLE 255 hp plus a 23-hp motor and 6.2 seconds.
- Driveline: Giulia rear-wheel drive; CLE all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: Giulia has 4 doors, 5 seats and a 480-litre boot; CLE has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 460-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Giulia is 4,643 mm long with a 2,820 mm wheelbase; CLE is 4,850 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase.
- Parking assistance: Giulia has a reverse camera and four front/rear sensors; CLE has a 360-degree camera, auto parking and six front/rear sensors.
Giulia
- RM78,810 cheaper to buy.
- 276 hp and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the CLE’s all-wheel drive.
- No panoramic glass roof, front-seat ventilation or heating.
- No 360-degree camera, auto parking or head-up display.
CLE
- All-wheel drive and a 23-hp electric motor.
- Digital Light matrix LEDs, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats and 17-speaker Burmester audio.
- Costs RM78,810 more.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.2 seconds versus 5.7 seconds.
- Two doors, four seats and a smaller 460-litre boot.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078✓ | RM518,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378✓ | RM380 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 & CLE for sale
Giulia vs CLE FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
The Giulia is better for five-seat practicality, lower purchase price and acceleration. The CLE is better if all-wheel drive, its 23-hp motor, a panoramic roof and advanced parking aids matter more than the RM78,810 premium.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM518,888, which is RM78,810 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia at RM440,078.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The Giulia is more practical: it has four doors, five seats and a 480-litre boot. The CLE is a two-door, four-seat coupe with a 460-litre boot, though it is 207 mm longer.