The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 stands out in the competitive sedan market, not only for its Italian design and performance but also for its safety features. As a potential buyer or an automotive enthusiast, understanding the safety ratings of your vehicle is paramount. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 safety performance, based on rigorous crash tests and evaluations.
Understanding Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 Crash Test Performance
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia has undergone extensive testing to evaluate its safety in various crash scenarios. These tests are crucial for determining how well a vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a collision. Let’s delve into the specifics of each test and the Giulia’s performance.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019, specifically models built after May 2017, received a “Good” rating in this demanding test. This rating indicates a high level of protection for the driver in this type of accident.
Action shot from the small overlap frontal crash test, demonstrating the structural integrity of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019.
Key Findings from the Small Overlap Test:
- Structure and Safety Cage: The Giulia’s structure and safety cage held up exceptionally well, earning a “Good” rating. This means the structural integrity of the vehicle was maintained, providing a strong protective shell around the occupants.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot – were rated “Good”. This signifies a low risk of significant injuries to these critical body regions in a small overlap frontal crash.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: The restraints and airbag systems performed optimally, also achieving a “Good” rating. This ensures that the driver is properly positioned and restrained during the crash, minimizing potential injuries.
Technical Measurements – Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 5 |
| Footrest | 13 |
| Left toepan | 9 |
| Brake pedal | 12 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 1 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 4 |
| Upper dash | 5 |
| Lower instrument panel | 5 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 262 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension Moment (Nm) | 14 |
| Chest Compression (mm) | 30 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.52 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.53 |
Post-crash dummy positioning in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019, indicating excellent maintenance of driver survival space.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019’s airbag deployment effectively protected the driver’s head during the small overlap frontal crash test.
Minimal deformation in the driver’s footwell area of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019, reducing risk of lower extremity injuries.
These measurements and ratings confirm the robust design and effective safety systems of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 in a challenging small overlap frontal crash scenario.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original
The moderate overlap front crash test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a deformable barrier. This test is designed to assess how well the vehicle manages crash energy and protects occupants in a more common type of frontal collision.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 also earned a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front crash test.
Dynamic image from the moderate overlap frontal crash test of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019.
Performance Highlights in Moderate Overlap Test:
- Overall Evaluation: Achieving the highest rating of “Good,” the Giulia demonstrates excellent performance in this type of frontal impact.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Similar to the small overlap test, the structure and safety cage were rated “Good,” maintaining occupant space and structural integrity.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, and leg/foot) received “Good” ratings, indicating comprehensive protection across different body regions.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: The restraint systems and airbags functioned effectively, contributing to the “Good” rating and ensuring optimal occupant protection.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test:
| Measurement | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest Intrusion | 2 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | 2 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | 2 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | 1 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 4 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Left) | 0 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Right) | 0 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | -2 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -8 |
| A-pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
| Injury Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 171 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Extension Moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Chest Compression (mm) | 34 |
| Left Femur Force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Right Femur Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.43 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.33 |
Dummy positioning after the moderate overlap crash, showing well-preserved driver space in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019.
Grease paint marks on the side curtain airbag, indicating effective head protection in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 during rebound in a moderate overlap crash.
Driver footwell integrity in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 after the moderate overlap crash, demonstrating low risk of leg and foot injuries.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019’s performance in the moderate overlap front crash test further validates its commitment to occupant safety in common frontal collision scenarios.
Side Crash Test: Original
Side impacts are another significant concern in vehicle safety. The side crash test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants in a side collision with another vehicle.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 achieved a “Good” overall rating in the side crash test, demonstrating robust side-impact protection.
Vehicle condition immediately following the side crash test, illustrating impact zone and structural response of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019.
Key Outcomes of the Side Crash Test:
- Overall Evaluation: The Giulia’s “Good” rating reflects its strong performance in protecting occupants during side impacts.
- Structure and Safety Cage: The vehicle’s structure and safety cage again earned a “Good” rating, indicating effective resistance to side impact forces.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Injury Measures: All injury measures for both the driver and rear passenger (head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg) were rated “Good”. This highlights comprehensive protection for occupants in both front and rear seats during a side collision.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Head Protection: Both driver and rear passenger head protection systems were rated “Good,” emphasizing the effectiveness of side airbags and curtain airbags in preventing head injuries.
Technical Measurements – Side Crash Test:
| Measurement | Driver Value | Passenger Value |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar intrusion (cm) | -17.5 | N/A |
| Injury Measure | Driver Value | Passenger Value |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 87 | 116 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 | 0.9 |
| Shoulder Deflection (mm) | 34 | 20 |
| Shoulder Force (kN) | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Torso Deflection (mm) | 35 | 31 |
| Pelvis Combined Force (kN) | 1.5 | 2.9 |
Post-test view with doors removed, showcasing side airbag deployment and occupant compartment integrity in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019.
Grease paint evidence on the side curtain airbag, confirming head protection for the driver in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 side impact.
Rear passenger head protection demonstrated by grease paint on the side airbag of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 after the side crash test.
These results underscore the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019’s ability to provide excellent protection in side-impact collisions, safeguarding both front and rear occupants.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is a critical safety aspect, especially in rollover accidents. The roof strength test measures how much force a vehicle’s roof can withstand before collapsing, protecting occupants in such events.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 received a “Good” overall rating for roof strength.
Key Metrics – Roof Strength Test:
- Overall Evaluation: A “Good” rating signifies that the Giulia’s roof can withstand significant force, providing crucial protection in rollover scenarios.
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: The Giulia achieved a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.24. This indicates that the roof can withstand over 5 times the vehicle’s weight, a strong performance metric.
- Peak Force: The roof withstood a peak force of 18,829 lbs, demonstrating its robust structural design.
This strong roof strength rating adds another layer of safety to the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019, ensuring occupant protection even in severe rollover accidents.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Head restraints and seats play a vital role in preventing neck injuries, particularly in rear-end collisions. Evaluations assess both the geometry of the head restraints and their dynamic performance in simulated rear impacts.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 earned a “Good” overall rating for head restraints & seats.
Evaluation Highlights:
- Overall Evaluation: “Good” rating indicates effective head restraint and seat design for whiplash protection.
- Dynamic Rating: The dynamic performance of the seats and head restraints was rated “Good,” showing effective energy absorption and support during simulated rear impacts.
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: The geometry of the seats and head restraints was also rated “Good,” indicating proper positioning and design to minimize whiplash risk.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 2 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 2 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.0 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 58 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 316 |
These ratings and measurements confirm that the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019’s seats and head restraints are designed to effectively reduce the risk of whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Headlights Performance
Visibility is a critical aspect of safety, and headlight performance directly impacts nighttime driving safety. Headlight evaluations assess visibility provided in various driving scenarios and glare to oncoming traffic.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 has four different headlight variations, with ratings ranging from “Good” to “Poor” depending on the trim and package.
Headlight Rating Summary:
- Good Rating: Available on Ti and Quadrifoglio trims with High Performance Bi-Xenon Headlamps and Driver Assist Dynamic Plus packages, and Ti and Quadrifoglio trims with High Performance Bi-Xenon Headlamps package. These headlights offer good visibility on straightaways and curves, with no excessive glare.
- Poor Rating: Base and Ti trims, both with and without the Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package, receive a “Poor” rating. These headlights have issues with glare and inadequate visibility on curves.
It’s important for potential buyers of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 to be aware of the headlight options and choose trims or packages that offer the “Good” rated headlights for optimal nighttime driving safety.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are designed to mitigate or prevent frontal collisions. Vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention systems use sensors to detect imminent frontal collisions and assist the driver in avoiding or reducing impact severity.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019, when equipped with the optional Forward Collision Warning Plus system (available with the Driver Assist Dynamic Plus Package), achieves a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention.
System Performance:
- Forward Collision Warning: The system meets requirements for forward collision warning, alerting the driver to potential frontal collisions.
- Low-Speed Avoidance (12 mph Test): The system successfully avoided a collision in the 12 mph test, demonstrating its effectiveness in low-speed scenarios.
- Speed Reduction (25 mph Test): In the 25 mph test, the system reduced the impact speed by 24 mph, significantly mitigating the severity of a higher-speed frontal collision.
This “Superior” rating highlights the effectiveness of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019’s optional front crash prevention system in enhancing safety and reducing the risk of frontal collisions.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors, also known as LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), make it easier to securely install child safety seats. The evaluation assesses the ease of use and effectiveness of the LATCH system.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 received a “Marginal” rating for child seat anchors.
LATCH System Details:
- Number of LATCH Positions: The Giulia has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor.
- Lower Anchor Accessibility: Lower anchors are rated as “too deep in seat” and “difficult to maneuver around anchors,” making installation somewhat challenging.
- Tether Anchor Ease of Use: Tether anchors are easy to find and not easily confused with other hardware.
While the Giulia provides LATCH anchors, their “Marginal” rating suggests that installing child seats may require extra effort due to the lower anchor positioning.
Conclusion: Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 Safety Performance
Overall, the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, with “Good” ratings in most crash tests, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side crash, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. The optional front crash prevention system earns a “Superior” rating, further enhancing its safety profile. However, the headlights and child seat anchors received lower ratings, indicating areas for potential improvement.
For buyers prioritizing safety, the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019 offers robust crash protection and advanced safety features, making it a compelling choice in the sedan market. When considering a purchase, pay attention to trim levels and optional packages, particularly concerning headlight performance and front crash prevention systems, to maximize the safety benefits of the Alfa Romeo Giulia 2019.
