BMW M3 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.
Data checked: specs 30 Aug 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$163,700RRP
- no option data for this car
$76,450RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the BMW M3 & Alfa Romeo Giulia
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Price Breakdown
The BMW M3 starts from $163,700 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 $87,250.
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 $180,070 and $84,095 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Alfa Romeo Giulia by roughly $5,700 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW M3
- REC-000132 · published 10 Jun 2021Due to a manufacturing fault in the hydraulic unit brake booster, panic braking could cause loss of brake power assistance and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) without prior warning.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2020
Alfa Romeo Giulia
- REC-005416 · published 28 Apr 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the automatic Adaptive Light System (AFS) sensors may not adjust as intended when there is a change in load or load distribution on the vehicle.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-005038 · published 19 Jan 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel sensor housing may crack and cause a fuel leak.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2021
- REC-000006 · published 11 Aug 2019On some Alfa Romeo Giulia MY2017-2019 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio MY2017-2019, the instrument panel shows more fuel than what is actually present in the fuel tank.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2019
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW M3 features a 12.3-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 BMW M3 stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats and power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW M3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Alfa Romeo Giulia offers leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW M3 uses a Petrol producing 353kW and 550Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.2 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 BMW M3 has the clear power advantage at 353kW vs 206kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW M3 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW M3 measures 4,801mm long on a 2,857mm wheelbase, 158mm longer than the Alfa Romeo Giulia at 4,643mm (2,820mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW M3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the BMW M3 and 480L in the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
For towing, the BMW M3 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 11.0m 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 $2,879/year for the BMW M3 and $1,739/year for the Alfa Romeo Giulia. That is a $1,140 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW M3) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Giulia). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW M3 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Alfa Romeo Giulia if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Alfa Romeo Giulia: Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 60
The Alfa Romeo Giulia comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (70 vs 60), taking 1 of 4 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Alfa Romeo Giulia ahead by 36), value (Alfa Romeo Giulia ahead by 34), performance (BMW M3 ahead by 21). The Alfa Romeo Giulia will save you roughly $1,140 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 M3 and Alfa Romeo Giulia?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the cheapest at $76,450 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW M3 by $87,250.
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 M3 and Alfa Romeo Giulia carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW M3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW M3 makes the most power at 353kW. The BMW M3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.2s.
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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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