Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the RM440,078 Giulia demands RM147,190 over the RM292,888 C-Class, then adds RM288 a year in road tax. It is the driver’s choice on raw figures: 276 hp, 400 Nm and 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h beat 201 hp, 300 Nm and 7.3 seconds, while its 480-litre boot is 25 litres larger. The C-Class is not far behind for daily use, bringing a 20-hp motor, a 6.6 L/100 km rating and a longer 2,865-mm wheelbase. Its 246-km/h top speed is marginally higher, but does not erase the Giulia’s acceleration advantage.
Pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia if 276 hp, 400 Nm, 5.7-second acceleration and a 480-litre boot matter more than the RM147,190 premium.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want the lower purchase price, RM90 annual road tax, 6.6 L/100 km rating and stronger parking assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Alfa Romeo Giulia RM440,078; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- Power and torque: Giulia 276 hp and 400 Nm; C-Class 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Giulia 5.7 seconds; C-Class 7.3 seconds.
- Annual road tax: Giulia RM378; C-Class RM90.
- Wheelbase: Giulia 2,820 mm; C-Class 2,865 mm.
- Boot space: Giulia 480 litres; C-Class 455 litres.
Giulia
- 276 hp and 400 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.
- 480-litre boot, 25 litres larger than the C-Class.
- Eight airbags, matrix adaptive LED headlamps and adaptive cruise control.
- Costs RM147,190 more than the C-Class.
- RM378 annual road tax is RM288 higher.
- No auto parking or powered, contactless boot operation.
C-Class
- RM292,888 price and RM90 annual road tax.
- 20-hp motor and a rated 6.6 L/100 km fuel economy figure.
- Auto parking, six front and six rear parking sensors, plus a powered contactless boot.
- 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time trail the Giulia.
- 455-litre boot is 25 litres smaller than the Giulia's.
- Passive cruise control rather than the Giulia's adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,078 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp at 5,250 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,250 rpm✓ | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | 78 mm × 78.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,643 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,436 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,490 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Italy (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | 8.8" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
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 Giulia & C-Class for sale
Giulia vs C-Class FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The C-Class is the more rational Malaysian buy with its much lower price, lower road tax and 6.6 L/100 km rating. Choose the Giulia for its 276 hp, 400 Nm and 5.7-second 0-100 km/h performance.
What is the price difference?
The Alfa Romeo Giulia costs RM147,190 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: RM440,078 versus RM292,888.
Which car is better for parking?
The C-Class is better equipped for parking, with six front and six rear sensors, parallel and perpendicular auto parking, and a powered contactless boot. The Giulia has four front and four rear sensors and a reverse camera, but no auto parking.
