The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia isn’t just about Italian styling and performance; it’s also designed with safety in mind. For those considering this model, understanding its safety ratings is crucial. This detailed analysis, based on rigorous testing, breaks down the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia’s safety performance to help you make an informed decision.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Performance
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where just the front corner of the vehicle impacts another vehicle or a stationary object. For the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia, which applies to models built after May 2017, this test reveals critical safety aspects.
The Giulia achieved a “Good” rating in the small overlap front: driver-side test, the highest possible. This “Good” rating extends across all evaluation criteria, including structure and safety cage integrity, and driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics also received a “Good” rating, indicating effective occupant protection systems.
Action shot from the small overlap front crash test of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia, demonstrating vehicle deformation and airbag deployment.
Post-crash analysis showed that the driver’s survival space was “maintained well.” This is a crucial factor in occupant safety, ensuring that the structural integrity of the cabin holds up during impact.
Post-crash dummy positioning in the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia small overlap test, illustrating maintained survival space and effective restraint system.
The frontal and side curtain airbags performed effectively, working in coordination to protect the head from contacting hard structures or external objects. This is essential in preventing serious head injuries during such collisions.
Airbag deployment in the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia small overlap crash test, showcasing head protection system effectiveness.
Furthermore, the test data indicated a low risk of injuries to the driver’s legs and feet, highlighting the vehicle’s design in mitigating lower extremity injuries in a small overlap frontal crash.
Driver’s side footwell area after the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia small overlap test, demonstrating minimal intrusion and low leg injury risk.
Technical measurements from the test provide further detail. Intrusion into the lower occupant compartment was minimal, with maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar being 5 cm and footrest intrusion at 13 cm. Upper occupant compartment intrusion was also limited, with steering column movement at 0 cm and upper hinge pillar intrusion at 4 cm.
Driver injury measures were also favorable. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 262, well below critical levels. Neck tension and bending moment were also low, and chest compression was 30 mm. Femur forces for both left and right legs were minimal (1.4 kN and 1.1 kN respectively), and tibia index and axial forces were also low, reinforcing the “Good” rating for driver injury protection in this demanding test.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front crash test assesses occupant protection in a frontal collision involving a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end. Like the small overlap test, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia models built after May 2017 were evaluated under this scenario and earned top marks.
The Giulia secured an “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front test. This encompasses “Good” ratings for structure and safety cage, and driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (both left and right). Driver restraints and dummy kinematics also received a “Good” rating, demonstrating consistent performance across different frontal impact types.
Action capture from the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia moderate overlap frontal crash test, exhibiting controlled deformation and occupant cell integrity.
Similar to the small overlap test, the dummy’s position after the crash indicated that the driver’s survival space was “maintained very well.” This consistent cabin integrity across different frontal crash scenarios underscores the robust structural design of the Giulia.
Dummy position post-impact in the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia moderate overlap test, showing excellent survival space maintenance.
Greasepaint analysis confirmed that the side curtain airbag effectively contacted the dummy’s head during rebound, providing crucial head protection in this type of crash.
Greasepaint mark on the side curtain airbag after the moderate overlap test of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia, confirming head protection effectiveness.
Again, the risk of injuries to the dummy’s legs and feet was assessed as low, further reinforcing the Giulia’s ability to protect occupants in frontal collisions.
Footwell integrity after the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia moderate overlap test, indicating low risk of lower extremity injuries.
Technical measurements in this test showed minimal footwell intrusion and instrument panel movement. Steering column movement was also well-controlled. Driver injury metrics were again low, with a HIC-15 of 171, low neck forces, and chest compression of 34 mm. Femur and tibia forces were also within safe margins, confirming the “Good” rating for occupant protection in a moderate overlap frontal impact.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Assessment
The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side impact collision. The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia also underwent this test, with ratings applicable to 2017-25 models.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia achieved an “Good” overall rating in the side crash test. This “Good” rating applies to structure and safety cage, driver injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg), driver head protection, rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg), and rear passenger head protection. This comprehensive “Good” rating across all aspects of side impact protection demonstrates the Giulia’s robust side-impact safety design.
Vehicle condition immediately following the side impact crash test, illustrating structural response and airbag deployment.
Post-test examination with doors removed revealed the effectiveness of the side airbags and the extent of damage to the occupant compartment, designed to absorb and dissipate impact energy.
Interior view of the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia after the side impact test, showing side airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage.
Greasepaint analysis again confirmed that both driver and rear passenger dummy heads were well-protected by the side curtain airbags, preventing contact with hard structures.
Driver-side greasepaint analysis from the side impact test, confirming side curtain airbag head protection for the driver.
Rear passenger greasepaint analysis in the side impact test, verifying head protection provided by the side airbag for rear occupants.
Technical measurements indicated minimal B-pillar intrusion (-17.5 cm, negative indicating crush stopped short of the seat centerline). Driver and passenger injury measures were low across the board, including Head HIC-15, neck forces, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection, pelvis forces, and femur forces. These measurements reinforce the “Good” rating and highlight the Giulia’s effective side-impact protection.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test measures the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. This is crucial for occupant survival space in such accidents. The rating for the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia roof strength applies to 2017-23 models.
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia earned an “Good” overall rating for roof strength. With a curb weight of 3,590 lbs and a peak force of 18,829 lbs, the Giulia achieved a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.24. This high ratio indicates a strong roof capable of withstanding significant force relative to the vehicle’s weight, contributing to occupant protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Head restraints and seats play a vital role in preventing whiplash and other neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia with power leather seats was evaluated in this area.
The Giulia received an “Good” overall evaluation for head restraints & seats. This includes a “Good” dynamic rating and a “Good” rating for seat/head restraint geometry. Technical measurements confirmed favorable geometry and seat design parameters, with low neck forces recorded in dynamic testing.
Headlight Performance
Headlight performance is critical for visibility and accident prevention, especially at night. The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia was evaluated with four different headlight variations.
For the Ti trim equipped with High Performance Bi-Xenon Headlamps and Driver Assist Dynamic Plus packages, and the Quadrifoglio trim equipped with Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package, the Giulia achieved a “Good” overall rating. These trims feature HID projector low and high beams, curve-adaptive functionality, and high-beam assist. Both low and high beams provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with low beams never exceeding glare limits.
For the Ti trim equipped with High Performance Bi-Xenon Headlamps package and the Quadrifoglio trim, which also feature HID projector headlights and curve-adaptive functionality but without high-beam assist, the Giulia still achieved a “Good” overall rating. Visibility performance was similar to the previous trims, with good low and high beam performance on curves and straightaways, and no excessive glare.
However, for the Base trim equipped with Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package and the Ti trim equipped with Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package, which feature HID projector headlights but without curve-adaptive functionality, the overall rating was “Poor”. Low beams provided good visibility on straightaways but were inadequate on curves and produced excessive glare. High beams were also inadequate on curves. Although high-beam assist compensates somewhat, the excessive glare from low beams resulted in the “Poor” rating.
Similarly, the Base trim and Ti trim, with HID projector headlights but without curve-adaptive or high-beam assist, also received a “Poor” overall rating. These headlights exhibited the same issues as the previous “Poor” rated headlights: inadequate curve visibility and excessive glare from low beams, and inadequate high beam performance on curves.
Therefore, for optimal headlight performance on the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia, selecting trims with curve-adaptive headlights and ideally high-beam assist is advisable.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems can significantly reduce or mitigate frontal collisions. The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia offers an optional Forward Collision Warning Plus system.
With this optional system, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia (2017-19 models built after May 2017) earned a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The system meets forward collision warning requirements, avoided a collision in a 12 mph test, and significantly reduced impact speed (by 24 mph) in a 25 mph test. This “Superior” rating highlights the effectiveness of the optional front crash prevention system in the 2019 Giulia.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease the installation of child safety seats and improve their security. The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia was evaluated for LATCH system usability.
The Giulia received a “Marginal” overall evaluation for child seat anchors. While it has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor, the lower anchors were rated as “too deep in seat” and “difficult to maneuver around anchors” in positions 1 and 3. Position 2 has only a tether anchor available. This “Marginal” rating indicates that while LATCH anchors are present, their usability could be improved.
Conclusion
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia demonstrates strong safety performance in crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraints & seats evaluations. Its optional front crash prevention system is rated “Superior”. However, headlight performance varies significantly by trim, with some configurations rated “Poor,” and child seat anchor usability is rated “Marginal.”
Overall, the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia offers a compelling blend of safety and performance. Prospective buyers should consider the headlight options and LATCH usability in relation to their specific needs, but can be assured of strong crash protection based on independent testing.
