BMW 3 Series vs Alfa Romeo Giulia
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.
BMW 3 Series
From $94,700
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
190kW
6.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
Alfa Romeo Giulia
From $76,450
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
206kW
6.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 3 Series starts from $94,700 before on-road costs, while the Alfa Romeo Giulia opens at $76,450. 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 $104,170 and $84,095 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 BMW 3 Series features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Alfa Romeo Giulia gets a 8.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia counters with ambient lighting that the BMW 3 Series does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 3 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Alfa Romeo Giulia offers leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW 3 Series uses a Petrol producing 190kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia responds with a Petrol making 206kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 190kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 3 Series measures 4,713mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 70mm longer than the Alfa Romeo Giulia at 4,643mm (2,820mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 3 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the BMW 3 Series and 480L in the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
For towing, the Alfa Romeo Giulia leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 0kg 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 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the BMW 3 Series and $1,739/year for the Alfa Romeo Giulia. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Estimated annual total: $1,853 (BMW 3 Series) vs $1,739 (Alfa Romeo Giulia). The Alfa Romeo Giulia saves you roughly $114 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Giulia). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Alfa Romeo Giulia if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Giulia takes 4 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Alfa Romeo Giulia will save you roughly $114 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, BMW 3 Series and Alfa Romeo Giulia?
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 Alfa Romeo Giulia uses the least fuel at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 3 Series and Alfa Romeo Giulia carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 3 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
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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