Alfa Romeo Giulia vs BMW 3 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Giulia starts from $76,450 before on-road costs, while the BMW 3 Series opens at $94,700. That makes the Alfa Romeo Giulia the more affordable entry point by $18,250.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $84,095 and $104,170 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Giulia features a 8.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW 3 Series gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia stands out with ambient lighting that you will not find on the BMW 3 Series. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Alfa Romeo Giulia gets leather upholstery while the BMW 3 Series offers sensatec synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Giulia uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds.
The BMW 3 Series responds with a Petrol making 190kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 190kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Giulia measures 4,643mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 66mm shorter than the BMW 3 Series at 4,709mm (2,851mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 3 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the Alfa Romeo Giulia and 480L in the BMW 3 Series.
For towing, the BMW 3 Series leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,109/year for the Alfa Romeo Giulia and $2,024/year for the BMW 3 Series. That is a $85 annual difference in favour of the BMW 3 Series.
Estimated annual total: $2,109 (Alfa Romeo Giulia) vs $2,024 (BMW 3 Series). The BMW 3 Series saves you roughly $85 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Giulia) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Giulia if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Giulia takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BMW 3 Series will save you roughly $85 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Giulia and BMW 3 Series?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the cheapest at $76,450 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 3 Series by $18,250.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 3 Series uses the least fuel at 7.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW 3 Series all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 3 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia makes the most power at 206kW. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is quickest to 100km/h in 5.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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