Let's face it: Luxury vehicles like the Alfa Romeo Giulia and BMW 3 Series offer something special that mainstream vehicles just can't match. But those luxury features and superior driving experience do come at a premium. While that's to be expected, people in South Carolina shopping for a luxury sedan still want to make sure they're getting their money's worth with their new car. Here at Benson Alfa Romeo, we've had a lot of customers ask us to compare the Giulia with the BMW 3 Series, especially when it comes to what you get for the price in the base model.

Below, we're going to compare the Alfa Romeo Giulia vs BMW 3 Series base trim levels, to see which of these popular luxury sport sedans gives buyers more car for the money. Will it be the stylish Italian Giulia? Or its classic German counterpart, the BMW 3 Series? Let's find out in the following section.

Giulia vs 3 Series Value Comparison: Base Model

While a fully loaded, fully optioned luxury sedan is really something else, the base model is the more reasonable option for many of us. And considering luxury vehicles are usually well-equipped across the range, it's not surprising that so many of our customers want to compare the base Giulia with its competition. Let's compare the base Alfa Romeo Giulia to the base BMW 3 Series, and look at how much you can expect to be paying for each vehicle.

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Base Configuration

The Alfa Romeo Giulia's base trim level has a wide range of standard features, including: 17-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, xenon headlights, automatic wipers, rear parking sensors, remote keyless ignition & entry, leather upholstery, power front seats, dual-zone climate control, and adjustable drive modes. Standard infotainment features include Bluetooth, 6.5-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, three USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system.

Meanwhile, the base Giulia's powertrain is a 2.0l turbocharged engine that produces 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. RWD is standard, while AWD is optional on the base Giulia. There are also several options packages available for the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which add driver assist, safety, and additional luxury features.

MSRP: $38,295

BMW 3 Series Base Configuration

The base BMW 3 Series is known as the 33oi. Standard equipment on the BMW 330i includes: 18-inch wheels, automatic wipers, sunroof, simulated leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and power front seats. Infotainment features on the 330i include 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, one USB input, and a 10-speaker audio system. All BMW 3 Series also come standard with forward collision warning & automatic emergency braking, as well as lane departure warning.

For its powertrain, the BMW 330i also employs a 2.0l turbocharged engine, putting out 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to an eight-speed transmission with standard RWD. AWD is optional.

Like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, there are also several options packages available for the BMW 330i that add luxury and tech features.

MSRP: $40,250


Which Base Model is Better: Alfa Romeo Giulia or BMW 3 Series?

Looking at the list of equipment for each base configuration, it's clear that the Alfa Romeo Giulia offers many more features as standard. While the BMW 330i does come standard with some safety tech, it misses out on the Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, which is becoming increasingly important to buyers. Even if you get your 330i fully loaded, it only offers Apple CarPlay, for which they require a subscription payment.

Notably, the Giulia comes standard with real leather interior, while BMW owners will have to settle for simulated leather. Remote keyless ignition & entry has also become a mainstay in luxury vehicles, but remains an additional option for the BMW.

When it comes to driving, the Alfa Romeo offers more horsepower and torque, as well as Brembo brakes and adjustable drive modes. Of course, BMW is known for its driving dynamics, and the 330i is no slouch out on the road. It also has its standard safety tech to help drivers stay safe.

But then you have to look at the price of each vehicle. The MSRP of the Alfa Romeo Giulia is nearly $2,000 less than that of the BMW 3 Series base model. For that $2,000 premium, the BMW offers very little in the way of additional features, and actually loses out in some important ways to the Giulia. It's clear that for those looking for a luxury sport sedan, they can expect a more well-equipped, exciting ride from Alfa Romeo at this price point.


Compare for Yourself at Benson Alfa Romeo

While we think it's pretty clear that you're getting a lot more car for the money in the Alfa Romeo Giulia when compared to the BMW 330i, it's always important to test drive the vehicle for yourself to make sure it's a fit for you and your needs. Here at Benson Alfa Romeo, we're proud to offer the Giulia and other Italian luxury vehicles to the Greer, SC area and beyond. We invite you to come in and test drive the Alfa Romeo Giulia for yourself, and compare it to any other luxury sport sedan on the market. We're confident you'll feel the same as we do. And remember, this was just a look at the base trim level from Alfa Romeo. Read about the Quadrifoglio package to find out about the full capabilities of this impressive luxury sedan.

Contact

Benson Alfa Romeo

500a W Wade Hampton Blvd
Directions Greer, SC 29650

  • Sales: 888-380-1716
  • Service: 888-473-2689
  • Parts: 888-452-2592

Hours

  • Monday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Thursday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Friday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Saturday 9 am to 7 pm
  • Sunday Closed