Here’s a brief list of a few vehicles that compete with the Alfa Romeo Giulia: the Audi A4, Lexus IS, Volvo V60, Genesis G70, Acura TLX, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the benchmark they must all compete against, the legendary BMW 3-Series. All of these vehicles are brilliant in their own ways, but many would agree that the BMW is uniquely outstanding. Thus, for this article, I am placing all of my eggs in one basket, and using the BMW as the definitive yardstick.
Just so you know, I’m only looking at comparing the rear-drive, no frills, base model versions of both cars. Base MSRP for the Giulia is about $44,000, whereas the base MSRP for the 330i is about $46,000. Neither one is available with a manual transmission. Bummer.
I simply hope to explain why the Giulia is so alluring, despite its notable faults. Many automotive journalists agree that the BMW 3-Series is sublime. Yet, I am looking at this from a different perspective – one of passion and personality. That’s why I would pick the Alfa Romeo Giulia over a comparably equipped BMW. Yep, I said it!
Alfa Romeo
But, it’s Italian!
You bet it is. Many people who lust after fun, driver-oriented cars agree that the Italians bake in the fun, while often leaving out the logic. Sure, they can be a handful, and perfection is hard to reach, but in the end it all comes down to the actual experience.
BMWs are solid, logical and wicked fast – and the quality of their tech cannot be denied. Still, I have some issues with many of their recent design choices. The designers managed to avoid the oversized grill (on the non-M 3-Series), but they omitted the graceful lines many pine for.
Even though the Giulia has been around for a while, it still looks striking by contemporary standards, both externally and internally. Its styling eloquently combines aesthetically-pleasing lines, seductive curves, and a macho stance. The interior is a simple affair, with large vents, a small infotainment screen, and excellent sport bucket seats.
I know, I know – the reliability scores on the Giulia are not great. It tends to be at, or near, the bottom of many consumer lists on the web. Yet, I’ve seen firsthand that modern Alfas can often be driven for years with some semblance of reliability. Still, Alfa’s poor reputation for reliability is a major issue for the brand and continues to hurt their overall sales figures.
Alfa Romeo
What is the Alfa Romeo Giulia?
Physically, it would be hard for many people to tell the difference between the 2025 model and examples from nearly a decade back. Recently, the exterior received a minor refresh, mainly consisting of new headlights and a new tail light design.
There were some tech upgrades too, but generally, the Giulia remains very similar to the older ones. Like a “silver fox”, despite the Alfa’s charming good looks, its age is beginning to show.
Part of its magic comes from the turbocharged, 280-horsepower four-cylinder that produces 306 lb-ft of torque. It’s bolted to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, and it’s smooth. It is one of the more powerful vehicles in this segment, but it’s not quite the top dog. The engine has no problem with any form of performance driving; in fact it somewhat invites you to push harder. Oh, and the exhaust note is, by far, the best in the business.
Alfa Romeo
Another piece of the magic is the Alfa’s suspension tuning and steering. It’s not as firm as you might expect, but it hunkers down when pushed, and has gobs of grip. Steering is lighter than you’d think, but the intuitive feel is above par for the class.
The EPA rates the 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia’s fuel economy at 24 mpg in the city, and 33 mpg on the highway. That being said, I would bet serious money that most drivers will blow right through those estimates, as they’ll all be too focused on having a blast!
Alfa Romeo
The Giulia’s interior could use some improvement
Ah, this is where things might go sideways for logical thinkers. For starters, the front seats are heavily bolstered, and are not comfortable for every shape and size. They work well for sporting purposes, but commuting may be an issue for some. The rear seats are fine with cushion and leather treatments, but its a tight squeeze back there.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster works well, and is contemporary. However, that 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen feels anachronistic. It works fine, and is fairly easy to use, but it lags sometimes and its size is simply too inadequate for its class.
Fortunately, the excellent Italian design ethos proliferates the interior feel. It’s a beautiful place to be and none of the materials would be out of place in a more upscale Maserati.
BMW
What makes the BMW 330i so damn good?
The 330i’s turbocharged, 255-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, makes 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, also supplied by ZF. There’s no denying that this is one of the best engines in its class.
Despite the fact that it’s both heavier and less powerful than the Giulia, the 330i feels much faster to drive at full tilt. BMW still manages to make a car that follows your inputs with little drama. Sure, the steering feel is somewhat artificial, but it has an uncanny way of letting you know exactly what your wheels are doing.
BMW
The BMW 330i’s magic lies is its ability to seamlessly transition from a visceral performance sedan to a soft, comfortable commuter, instantaneously. If you need to drive at the limit, it’s ready to go at the drop of a hat, but it can also chill out and make things easygoing whenever you so desire.
According to the EPA, the 2025 BMW 330i is capable of achieving 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Yep, despite being heavier than the Alfa Romeo, the BMW is still more efficient.
BMW
The 330i’s interior is refined and spacious
Everything inside the 330i feels expensive, or at the very least, well-designed. There is a 12.3-inch gauge display and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that are both easy to read. Most of the controls are fairly intuitive, but far more complex than the Alfa Romeo. Where the Giulia feels classic, the 330i feels modern.
Seating is much better suited for larger folk like myself, with great adjustability and excellent materials throughout. Some may not like how firm the padding is, but it conforms nicely, and there’s plenty of support.
Rear seat comfort is superior to that of the Alfa, and there’s more useable space, too. I would prefer more space, for my oversized feet to be able to fit under the seat in front of me, but that’s the case for both cars.
BMW
Visually similar, philosophically unique
Yes, both vehicles offer optional all-wheel drive, which are worth a separate comparison on their own. Additionally, both vehicles have more athletic big brothers with insane performance capabilities and pricier entry fees. They are both fairly similar in size and they both represent two distinct forms of thinking: passion vs. precision.
Honestly, you could just buy a 330i and call it a day. It’s good at everything, and it will actually maintain some of its value. Or, you could let passion take over and have an affair with the Giulia, which has admittedly terrible resale value. Still, you’ll probably laugh out loud (and occasionally cry) more often. Isn’t that what life’s all about?
Alfa Romeo
Final thoughts
My father once told me that Italian cars are like Italian food. They look great, smell great, and put a smile on your face, but ultimately – they are not the healthiest option. Back in the day that may have been true, but a lot has changed since then. Maybe.
Any owners out there want to chime in? Do you think it would be the exclusive practice of an insane person to purchase a Giulia over a 330i, or does your heart tell you otherwise? Let us know in the comments – we love to hear your thoughts!
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About the author
Nathan Adlen
Contributing Writer, Autoblog