Verdict
At RM480,128 against RM898,800, the Stelvio is the rational Malaysian choice if you want an AWD five-seat executive car without an RM418,672 leap. Its 525-litre boot is also 25 litres larger and annual road tax is RM438 rather than RM2,113. But the BMW’s 523 hp and 650 Nm leave the Alfa’s 276 hp and 400 Nm far behind, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 5.7 to 3.6 seconds. The M3 Touring also brings adaptive M suspension, an M Sport differential and stronger parking and display hardware.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if lower purchase cost, RM438 annual road tax and a 525-litre boot matter more than outright pace.
Pick the BMW M3 Touring if 523 hp, 650 Nm, a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time and its extra driver-assistance hardware justify the outlay.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Stelvio RM480,128; BMW M3 Touring RM898,800.
- Performance: Stelvio 276 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds; M3 Touring 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6 seconds.
- Road tax: Stelvio RM438 per year; M3 Touring RM2,113 per year.
- Boot space: Stelvio 525 litres; M3 Touring 500 litres.
- Dimensions: Stelvio is 4,687 mm long and 1,648 mm tall; M3 Touring is 4,801 mm long and 1,446 mm tall.
- Parking/display equipment: Stelvio has four front and four rear sensors with an 8.
Stelvio
- RM418,672 less to buy.
- 525-litre boot and 64-litre fuel tank.
- RM438 annual road tax; driver and front-passenger knee airbags.
- 276 hp and 400 Nm trail the BMW’s 523 hp and 650 Nm.
- 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds behind.
- No 360-degree camera, auto parking or head-up display.
M3 Touring
- 523 hp, 650 Nm and 3.6-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- Adaptive M suspension and M Sport differential.
- 360-degree camera, auto parking, head-up display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM418,672 higher purchase price.
- RM2,113 annual road tax versus RM438.
- 500-litre boot is 25 litres smaller than the Stelvio's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM480,128✓ | RM898,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| 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 with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 523 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 650 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 3.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,687 mm | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,648 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,818 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,925 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 64 litres | 59 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 19" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" Double Spoke Style 825 M Bicolour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Differential |
| 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 | 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 Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with High Beam Assist |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 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 |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Power Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 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✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM2,113 |
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 Stelvio & M3 Touring for sale
Stelvio vs M3 Touring FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or BMW M3 Touring better?
The BMW M3 Touring is decisively better for performance and driver-focused chassis hardware, with 523 hp, 650 Nm, adaptive M suspension and a 3.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Stelvio makes more sense for cost, road tax and boot space.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 Touring costs RM418,672 more than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The gap also comes with 247 hp more, 250 Nm more torque and a 2.1-second quicker 0-100 km/h time.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the larger boot at 525 litres, compared with 500 litres for the BMW M3 Touring. Both have five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.