Giulia vs IS 350
Choosing between Alfa Romeo and Lexus often comes down to a specific pair of products. In the compact luxury car class, that pair is the Giulia and the IS 350. Scoring each area separately, the Giulia comes out on top 1 times out of 4. Its lead is sharpest in space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Giulia wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech IS 350 wins
- Engine & Performance7.9
- Engine & Performance8.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Giulia has 24% more cargo space
The IS 350 gives up a lot on cargo (behind rear seats): 10.8 cu ft, compared with 13.4 cu ft on the Giulia. The Giulia’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
-
The IS 350 has 31 hp more power
The IS 350 has a modest edge on total system output: 311 hp against 280 hp for the Giulia. The IS 350’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
-
The IS 350 has a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen
Few buyers will miss this one. The IS 350 brings 12.3 in to the table; the Giulia brings 8.8 in. The IS 350’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
-
The Giulia has 26 lb-ft more torque
It’s a small lead (306 lb-ft versus 280 lb-ft), but it’s real, and it goes to the Giulia. The Giulia’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Design & Size
- Giulia 182.6 in × 73.7 in × 56.5 in
- IS 350 185.8 in × 72.4 in × 56.5 in
There’s no meaningful size difference between the Giulia and the IS 350.
Dimensions
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6 in | 185.8 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 73.7 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 56.5 in | 56.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | 110.2 in |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
Both have a point in this area: 26 lb-ft more torque for the Giulia, 31 hp more power for the IS 350. If you’re torn on engine & performance, the other sections may help break the tie.
Total system output
Giulia: 280 hp IS 350: 311 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Giulia: 306 lb-ft IS 350: 280 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Space & Practicality
Giulia leads
On space & practicality, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Giulia. The Giulia scores with 24% more cargo space. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage. If space & practicality is your priority, the Giulia is the car to pick.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Giulia: 13.4 cu ft IS 350: 10.8 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on off-road & towing. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Safety & Tech
IS 350 leads
Slight edge to the IS 350 on safety & tech. Most buyers could live happily with either. The IS 350 adds a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read. The takeaway: on safety & tech, the IS 350 is the stronger car.
Largest touchscreen
Giulia: 8.8 in IS 350: 12.3 in A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 3.5L V6 |
| Total system output | 280 hp | 311 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 306 lb-ft (winner) | 280 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic (6-speed automatic with AWD) |
| Drivetrain | AWD (Q4) | RWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 22 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 19 mpg Thirstiest in the city |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 27 mpg Thirstiest on the highway |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 17.4 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 13.4 cu ft (winner) | 10.8 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 8.8 in Smallest touchscreen | 12.3 in (winner) |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6 in | 185.8 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 73.7 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 56.5 in | 56.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | 110.2 in |
Price
| Spec | Giulia | IS 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $45,500 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Giulia if…
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (13.4 cu ft vs 10.8 cu ft)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (306 lb-ft vs 280 lb-ft of torque)
- you’re loyal to Alfa Romeo and happy with it
Choose the IS 350 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (311 hp vs 280 hp)
- you want the bigger touchscreen (12.3 in vs 8.8 in)
- you already know your way around Lexus’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Giulia or the IS 350?
The Giulia makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d rather have 31 hp more power on the IS 350.
Is the Giulia bigger than the IS 350?
The Giulia and the IS 350 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Alfa Romeo’s Giulia against Lexus’s IS 350. For me, the deciding factor is that only the Giulia gives you 24% more cargo space. A second reason: the Giulia comes with 26 lb-ft more torque. The IS 350 isn’t without merit: 31 hp more power is a real advantage.
Think about your week. Heavy on space & practicality? The Giulia. More about safety & tech? The IS 350.
My pick: the Giulia, though I’d happily point you to the IS 350 if you specifically want 31 hp more power, where the IS 350 has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.