2006 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon ranges from 1435 kg (3163 lbs) to 1695 kg (3735 lbs), depending on the specific configuration and trim level. Its maximum permissible weight ranges between 1985 kg (4375 lbs) and 2245 kg (4950 lbs). The vehicle's curb weight impacts its fuel efficiency, acceleration, and handling characteristics. Lighter models tend to have a sportier feel and better acceleration, while heavier versions offer more equipment and safety features, possibly affecting agility somewhat. Overall, the weight of the 159 Sportwagon was well balanced for a sporty station wagon.

The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon offers a luggage capacity of 445 liters (15.7 cubic feet) with all rear seats in place. When the rear seats are folded down, this capacity significantly expands to a range between 1235 and 1245 liters (43.6 to 44 cubic feet). This flexibility provides ample cargo space for grocery shopping, weekend trips, or even transporting larger items, making the 159 Sportwagon a practical option for families and those who require extra storage space in a midsize station wagon.

The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon, with its length of 4660 mm (183.5 inches), width of 1828 mm (71.9 inches), and height of 1417 mm (55.8 inches), should fit comfortably within the majority of standard residential garages. Most standard garages have dimensions around 5500 mm (18 feet) in length and 2750 mm (9 feet) in width, which provides enough space to accommodate the 159 Sportwagon with room left for opening doors and walking around the vehicle. However, garage sizes vary, so owners should measure their specific space before parking to ensure enough clearance.

At 1828 mm (71.9 inches) wide, the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon is fairly typical for a midsize station wagon. Its width offers a good balance between interior shoulder room and external drivability on narrow European roads. Compared to competitors like the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant from the same era, the 159 Sportwagon's width is closely matched, providing similar levels of cabin comfort and road presence. This dimension ensures it is broad enough to feel stable but not so wide as to be cumbersome in urban environments.

The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon came equipped with a variety of rim sizes including 7 J x 16, 7.5 J x 17, 17, 18, and 19 inches. Corresponding tire sizes ranged from 205/55 R16, 215/55 R16, 225/50 R17, 235/45 R18 to 235/40 ZR19. Smaller rim and tire combinations typically provide a softer ride and better fuel economy, while larger rims and lower-profile tires improve handling, steering responsiveness, and cornering stability. Sportier trims tended to favor larger rims, enhancing the car's performance-oriented driving characteristics.

With an overall vehicle height of 1417 mm (55.8 inches), the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon offers a low, sleek profile typical of sporty estate cars. While there isn't publicly detailed interior headroom measurement, the relatively low height can translate to a slightly reduced headroom compared to taller SUVs or larger wagons. However, Alfa Romeo designed the interior ergonomics to balance sporty aesthetics with occupant comfort, ensuring that both front and rear passengers have adequate headroom while seated. It's a trade-off that favors style and handling over maximum vertical space.

The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon replaced the Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon. Compared to the 156 wagon, the 159 is notably larger, particularly in length and width, with the 159 measuring 4660 mm long and 1828 mm wide versus the 156’s shorter length around 4400 mm and narrower width. This increase in size translated into more interior space, improved safety features, and better luggage capacity. The 159 also had more modern styling and upgraded technology. Its successor, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sportwagon, unfortunately, was never produced, as Alfa shifted focus onto the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, marking the 159 as the last Alfa estate of its type for some time.

The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon's curb weight ranges from roughly 1435 kg (3163 lbs) to 1695 kg (3735 lbs), which is on par with comparable vehicles like the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring, and Volkswagen Passat Variant of the same era. While the Alfa often carries a slightly sportier suspension setup, contributing to its slightly higher weight in some trims, it remains competitive in terms of ride quality and fuel efficiency. Depending on the engine choice, fuel economy was generally respectable, with diesel variants being particularly efficient, making it a well-rounded option among European midsize wagons.

The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon has a maximum roof load capacity of 80 kg (176 lbs). This means that it can safely carry roof boxes, bike racks, or other cargo up to this weight without impacting vehicle stability or risking roof damage. It is important for owners planning to use roof-mounted accessories to respect this limit to maintain safe handling and avoid any structural strain. Properly distributing and securing cargo on the roof also ensures that driving safety and vehicle aerodynamics are preserved.