The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia stands out in the compact luxury sedan segment, not only for its Italian styling and performance but also for its commitment to safety. This article delves into the safety performance of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia, drawing upon rigorous testing and evaluations to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective buyers and automotive enthusiasts.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia, introduced in the 2017 model year, underwent key structural enhancements starting from models built after May 2017. These modifications, including reinforcement of the front-end structure, door hinge pillar, and sill, were specifically designed to bolster occupant protection in both small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes. It’s important to note that these safety ratings apply to 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia models built after May 2017, and production dates can be verified on the certification label located on the driver’s side door or adjacent B-pillar.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia achieved a “Good” rating in the small overlap front crash test, a demanding assessment that evaluates how well a vehicle protects the driver in a collision involving a small portion of the vehicle’s front corner.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The results indicate robust structural integrity and excellent protection across all driver injury measures. The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia demonstrated its ability to maintain the driver’s survival space effectively during this challenging crash scenario.
The structural performance is further evidenced by technical measurements, showing limited occupant compartment intrusion.
Technical measurements for small overlap front test (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 13 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 9 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 12 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 4 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 5 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 5 |
Driver injury measures were also minimal, reinforcing the “Good” rating across the board.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| HIC-15 | 262 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 14 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.26 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 30 |
| Femur (kN) Left | 1.4 |
| Femur (kN) Right | 1.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Left | 1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) Right | 2 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Left | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.52 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.53 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Left | 2.8 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) Right | 2.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 117 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 81 |
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap frontal crash test, which simulates a more common type of frontal collision, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia again earned a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
This consistent “Good” performance across different frontal crash scenarios underscores the robust safety engineering of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Technical measurements for the moderate overlap test further detail the limited intrusion and effective energy management.
Technical measurements for moderate overlap front test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footrest (cm) | 2 |
| Left Footwell intrusion (cm) | 2 |
| Center Footwell intrusion (cm) | 2 |
| Right Footwell intrusion (cm) | 1 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Left (cm) | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement Upward (cm) | -2 |
| Steering column movement Rearward (cm) | -8 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver injury measures remain low in this test as well, consistent with the “Good” ratings.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| HIC-15 | 171 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 34 |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.7 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 1.0 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.43 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.33 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.0 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Left | 60 |
| Foot acceleration (g) Right | 63 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia also excelled in the side impact crash test, achieving a “Good” overall rating, ensuring occupant safety in side collision scenarios.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Both driver and rear passenger injury measures were rated “Good,” highlighting the comprehensive side-impact protection offered by the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Technical measurements show the extent of intrusion and the effectiveness of the side-impact protection systems.
Technical measurements for side impact test (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -17.5 |
Driver and Passenger injury measures in the side impact test were also well-controlled.
Driver injury measures in side impact test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 87 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.44 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.53 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 115 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 34 |
Passenger injury measures in side impact test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 116 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.9 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.44 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.35 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.9 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.4 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 38 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 27 |
Roof Strength Test
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia demonstrated robust roof strength, earning a “Good” rating in this evaluation, which is crucial for rollover protection.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,590 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,829 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.24 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.24, the roof of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia can withstand over five times its own weight, indicating a strong structural design in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
The seats and head restraints in the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia, specifically the power leather seats tested, also received a “Good” overall rating, crucial for preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Technical measurements for head restraints and seats:
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 2 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 2 |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.0 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 58 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 316 |
Headlights
Headlight performance for the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia varies depending on the trim and package. While some configurations achieve a “Good” rating, others are rated “Poor.”
Configurations with “Good” headlight ratings include:
- Ti trim with High Performance Bi-Xenon Headlamps and Driver Assist Dynamic Plus packages
- Quadrifoglio trim with Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package
- Ti trim with High Performance Bi-Xenon Headlamps package
- Quadrifoglio trim
These configurations feature HID projector low and high beams and curve-adaptive functionality, sometimes with high-beam assist.
Configurations with “Poor” headlight ratings include:
- Base trim with Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package
- Ti trim with Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package
- Base trim
- Ti trim
These “Poor” rated headlights, also HID projectors, lack curve-adaptive features and, in some cases, exhibit excessive glare. Prospective buyers of a 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia should carefully check headlight configurations for optimal visibility and safety.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
The optional Forward Collision Warning Plus system available on the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia (for models built after May 2017 and up to 2019 models) is rated “Superior.”
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
Equipped with the optional Driver Assist Dynamic Plus Package, the system meets forward collision warning requirements and demonstrated collision avoidance at 12 mph and significant speed reduction (24 mph) in 25 mph tests. This system significantly enhances the active safety of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
The LATCH system in the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia for child seat anchors is rated “Marginal.”
| Overall evaluation | M |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | Ti |
| Seat type | leather |
While the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia provides LATCH hardware at multiple rear seating positions, ease of use is a concern. Lower anchors are noted as being too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around in certain positions. Tether anchors are easier to locate and use. Families considering the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia should be aware of these LATCH system usability considerations.
Details by Seating Position
| Position | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find, Lower anchors: too deep, difficult to maneuver | |
| 2 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find, Lower anchors: none available | |
| 3 | Tether anchor: easy-to-find, Lower anchors: too deep, difficult to maneuver |
Conclusion
Overall, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving “Good” ratings in most IIHS crash tests. Its structural design and safety systems provide excellent occupant protection in frontal and side impacts, as well as rollovers. While headlight ratings and LATCH system usability present some variability or marginal performance, the core safety performance of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia is commendable, making it a safe and stylish choice in the luxury sedan market. Prospective buyers are encouraged to consider the specific headlight configurations and LATCH system details relevant to their needs when evaluating a 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
