Verdict
The RM58,810 step to the Mercedes-Benz GLE buys a CKD executive SUV with five doors, a 31 kWh battery, 114 km of EV range and a 2,995 mm wheelbase. It is also far heavier at 2,685 kg. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the leaner, quicker option: 1,490 kg, 276 hp, 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 240 km/h, against the GLE’s 6.1 seconds and 210 km/h. Choose the GLE for plug-in capability, cabin hardware and SUV dimensions; choose the Giulia for lower entry cost and stronger stated performance.
Giulia
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if 276 hp, a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time and RM440,078 pricing matter more than plug-in range and SUV space.
GLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need a five-door SUV with 114 km of EV range, all-wheel drive and a 2,995 mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: the Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888.
- Powertrain: the Giulia has a 1,995 cc 276 hp petrol engine; the GLE has a 1,999 cc 248 hp petrol plug-in hybrid system with one 154 hp motor.
- Performance: the Giulia reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and tops out at 240 km/h; the GLE posts 6.1 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Electric driving: the Giulia has no battery or EV range; the GLE has a 31 kWh lithium-ion battery and 114 km of EV range.
- Size and weight: the Giulia is 4,643 mm long, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase and 1,490 kg weight; the GLE is 4,924 mm, 2,995 mm and 2,685 kg.
- Driveline and transmission: the Giulia uses rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic; the GLE uses all-wheel drive and a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic.
Giulia
- RM58,810 less expensive.
- Quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time and higher 240 km/h top speed.
- Five-year, 150,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- No plug-in hybrid system, 31 kWh battery or 114 km EV range.
- 480-litre boot is 10 litres smaller than the GLE’s 490 litres.
- Lacks the GLE’s all-wheel drive, air suspension and adaptive damping.
GLE
- 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW Type 2 AC charging.
- All-wheel drive, Airmatic air suspension and ADS Plus adaptive damping.
- Powered front seats with massage and ventilation, plus a panoramic sliding roof.
- Costs RM58,810 more.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 6.1 seconds versus 5.7 seconds, with a 210 km/h top speed versus 240 km/h.
- At 2,685 kg, it is 1,195 kg heavier than the Giulia.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,078✓ | RM 498,888 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Cross-drilled Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| 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, 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 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 | LED Reflectors |
| 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 Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| 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 Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester 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 | Passive 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 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 378✓ | RM 440 |
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 & GLE for sale
Giulia vs GLE FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Giulia is better for lower cost and stated performance, with 276 hp and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time. The GLE is better for a plug-in hybrid SUV package, all-wheel drive, 114 km EV range and greater wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM58,810 more than the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Can the Mercedes-Benz GLE run on electric power?
Yes. The GLE has one 154 hp electric motor, a 31 kWh lithium-ion battery and a stated EV range of 114 km. Its AC charging connection is Type 2, rated at 11 kW.