Alfa Romeo
Giulia
Owner report available
Jaguar
XE
Owner report available
Alfa Romeo Giulia vs Jaguar XE
The short answer
The Alfa Romeo Giulia offers power, while the Jaguar XE excels at fuel economy instead. Choose the Alfa Romeo Giulia if you prioritize power in daily driving, or the Jaguar XE if fuel economy matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Giulia
Overall
Owners overwhelmingly praise the Giulia's exceptional handling, steering feel, and unique character, often calling it the best-driving sedan in its class. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by widespread frustration with high maintenance costs, a poor dealership experience (especially at shared CDJR locations), and persistent reliability concerns, particularly for early model years. The Quadrifoglio is celebrated as a thrilling performance car, but its reputation for issues and steep depreciation is a recurring theme.
Best version to buy
The Quadrifoglio (QV) is the most praised version for its performance and driving experience, but owners caution that early model years (2017-2019) are risky. The 2.0T Veloce/Ti Sport is well-regarded for daily driving, though some wish for a mid-range V6 option between the base and QV.
Known issues
- - Brake-by-wire system lurching and poor modulation: Frequency: recurrent. Mostly reported on 2017 models; later years improved. - Infotainment lag, low-resolution backup camera, no touchscreen on early models: Frequency: recurrent.
XE
Overall
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. The driving experience is consistently praised as a major strength, with owners highlighting nimble handling, balanced agility, responsive steering, and a truly dynamic feel in sport modes. The design and styling are also frequently cited as positives, offering a rarer, more distinctive alternative to mainstream German competitors.
Best version to buy
The post-2019 facelift model is strongly recommended over the first generation (2015-2018) due to corrected flaws and improved reliability, particularly regarding the timing chain issue on diesel engines. For engines, the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 petrol (XE S) and the 2.0-liter petrol units are viewed as much safer and more reliable choices than the early 2.0-liter Ingenium diesels.
Known issues
- Catastrophic timing chain failure on 2.0L Ingenium diesel engines (pre-2019): Engine destruction, loud rattling on startup, repair costs exceeding £15,000 ($19,000 USD). Frequency: very frequent.
- Buggy, slow infotainment system: Long boot times, intermittent crashes, frequent disconnections, screen freezing, requires unit replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
- General electrical faults: Failure of heated seats, heated mirrors, central locking motors, gear selector motors. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Jaguar XE is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Alfa Romeo Giulia, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or the Jaguar XE?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Jaguar XE. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or the Jaguar XE?
The Jaguar XE seats more passengers than the Alfa Romeo Giulia on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Alfa Romeo Giulia is classed as a Sedan, the Jaguar XE as a Sedan.
Which has better fuel economy, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or the Jaguar XE?
The EPA rates the 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia at 26–27 mpg combined and the 2021 Jaguar XE at 25–28 mpg, depending on the version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Alfa Romeo Giulia or the Jaguar XE?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Jaguar XE than the Alfa Romeo Giulia. See the known issues comparison above.