VS
At a Glance
Power
206 kW
310 kW
Torque
400 Nm
500 Nm
Fuel
7.4 l/100km
8.3 l/100km
Towing
1600 Kg
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
5.7 s
4.1 s
Engine
1995 cc
1991 cc
Choosing between the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Mercedes-AMG CLA is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers 206 kW while the Mercedes-AMG CLA produces 310 kW. On fuel, the Giulia returns 7.4 l/100km while the CLA uses 8.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 176 900 for the Giulia and R1 740 207 for the CLA. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
206 kW
310 kW
Torque
400 Nm
500 Nm
0-100 kph
5.7 s
4.1 s
Top Speed
240 Km/h
270 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1995 cc
1991 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
8
Drive Wheels
rear
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.4 l/100km
8.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
58 l
51 l
CO2 Emissions
167 g/km
208 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4650 mm
4701 mm
Width
1860-2024 mm
1830-1999 mm
Height
1436 mm
1413 mm
Wheelbase
2820 mm
2729 mm
Kerb Weight
1490 Kg
1675 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
480 l
460 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1600 Kg
1500 Kg
Load Capacity
—
470 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
Optional
Optional
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
Optional
Optional
Heated Seats
Optional
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
—
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
2
Warranty Distance
100000 Km
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
15000
service interval indicator max 20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Alfa Romeo Giulia
3 / 4 categories
Performance
CLA
Fuel Economy
Giulia
Value
Giulia
Practicality
Giulia
Pros & Cons
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Better fuel economy (7.4 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R1 176 900)
Higher towing capacity (1600 Kg)
Less power than rival (206 kW vs 310 kW)
Mercedes-AMG CLA
More powerful engine (310 kW)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (4.1 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (8.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Giulia or CLA?
The Giulia uses 7.4 l/100km and the CLA uses 8.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Giulia is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Giulia or CLA?
The Giulia produces 206 kW and 400 Nm of torque while the CLA delivers 310 kW and 500 Nm of torque. The CLA is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Giulia and CLA?
The Giulia starts from R1 176 900 and the CLA from R1 740 207. The Giulia is cheaper by R563 307 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Giulia or CLA?
The Giulia has a braked towing capacity of 1600 Kg and the CLA can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Giulia or the CLA?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.