Alfa Romeo Giulia vs Volvo S60
Verdict
The Volvo S60 is the numbers car here: RM315,888 against RM440,078, yet it is quicker to 100 km/h at 4.5 seconds versus 5.7, adds AWD and brings a plug-in hybrid system with a 145 hp motor, 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range. The Alfa Romeo Giulia fights back with less mass, 1,490 kg versus 2,041 kg, rear-wheel drive and a bigger 480-litre boot. For a Malaysian buyer, the RM124,190 gap is hard to ignore unless the Giulia’s layout and luggage space matter more.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want the lighter rear-wheel-drive sedan and need the larger 480-litre boot more than the Volvo’s PHEV hardware and extra kit.
Pick the Volvo S60 if you want the quicker, cheaper plug-in hybrid with AWD, 90 km EV range and more driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; Volvo S60 RM315,888
- 0-100 km/h: Alfa Romeo Giulia 5.7 seconds; Volvo S60 4.5 seconds
- Powertrain: Alfa Romeo Giulia 276 hp petrol; Volvo S60 314 hp petrol plus 145 hp motor
- Driveline: Alfa Romeo Giulia rear-wheel drive; Volvo S60 all-wheel drive
- Weight: Alfa Romeo Giulia 1,490 kg; Volvo S60 2,041 kg
- Boot space: Alfa Romeo Giulia 480 litres; Volvo S60 391 litres
Giulia
- 551 kg lighter than the Volvo S60
- Bigger 480-litre boot
- Rear-wheel-drive layout with staggered 19-inch tyres
- RM124,190 more expensive
- Slower 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- No plug-in hybrid system, EV range, 360 camera or head-up display
S60
- Much cheaper, yet quicker to 100 km/h
- Plug-in hybrid system with 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range
- Adds AWD, 360 camera, head-up display and Park Assist Pilot
- Smaller 391-litre boot
- Much heavier at 2,041 kg
- No 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,078 | RM 315,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 314 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 84 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 145 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 309 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 18.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 90 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 391 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Six Spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Six Spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| 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) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electric 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 outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| 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 | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (600W) |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| 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 | — | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 8 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 378 | RM 365✓ |
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 S60 FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Volvo S60 better?
The Volvo S60 is the stronger buy on numbers: it is cheaper, quicker, has AWD and adds a 90 km plug-in hybrid EV range. Choose the Alfa Romeo Giulia only if you prioritise rear-wheel drive, lower weight and the bigger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S60 costs RM315,888, while the Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM440,078. That makes the Volvo RM124,190 cheaper.
Which is faster and more practical?
The Volvo S60 is faster, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds versus 5.7 seconds. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is more practical for luggage, with 480 litres of boot space against the Volvo’s 391 litres.