Alfa Romeo Giulia vs BMW 3 Series

Savage Performance, Refined Handling

Speed. Deep down it’s what we all crave, isn’t it? The ability to take the lead spot while drowning out the everyday noise-rumbling RPMs.

Alfa Romeo understands this fact well. It’s why the Giulia is standardly equipped with an all-aluminum 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Lightweight and brimming with power, it earns a best-in-class 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. This makes it possible to go from 0 to 60 MPH in a heart-racing 5.1 seconds.

By comparison, the 3 Series engine relies on BMW’s legendary TwinPower Turbo technology to deliver an impressive but noticeably weaker 255 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, while it still manages to attain a top speed of 130 MPH, it proves no match for the Giulia’s 149 MPH limit.

This can make all the difference between sharing a champagne toast or taking home a 2nd-place trophy. One area these sedans do match is in their meticulous engineering. Each boasts near perfect 50/50 weight distribution as well as offer their own all-wheel drive systems.

Giulia and 3 Series drivers can also upgrade to a mightier 6-cylinder engine. It’s worth noting the Alfa Romeo’s V6 tops out at 505 horsepower compared to the BMW’s I-6 that hits the far-lower ceiling at 382 horsepower.

A Complete Package Inside and Out

When it comes to luxury sedans, what goes inside the cabin is equally important to what’s under the hood. Alfa Romeo and BMW take great care to respect this standard while managing to throw in a few surprises.

Like a meticulously tailored Italian suit, the Giulia cares equally about its presentation to the way it makes you feel while wearing it.  

Holding you in perfect position, the 14-way power driver seat is trimmed with leather and Alcantara® suede. Meanwhile, the 3 Series uses more utilitarian SensaTec upholstery with the option to upgrade to soft Vernasca® leather.

The Giulia also supplies slightly more legroom behind the wheel that makes all the difference when taking a long cruise through the countryside. In terms of convenience and connectivity, it places everything you’ll need inside its center console or 8.8-inch touchscreen with 3D navigation. Features include:

·       Column-mounted paddle shifters

·       Wireless smartphone charging pad

·       Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System

·       Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™

·       DNA Drive Mode Selector

Likewise, the 3 Series offers a similar package of technology but requires drivers to upgrade to a higher trim in order to access its best features.