Sitting beneath the larger Stelvio, the Tonale was designed to compete in the highly competitive compact premium SUV class, taking on the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. While those German rivals put a premium on refinement, technology and efficiency, Alfa has always looked to do things a little differently by placing pure driving pleasure at the heart of everything it does. The Tonale looks unmistakably Alfa but does it offer the engagement that has had petrolheads the world over swooning for decades? We took a closer look at what the Tonale has to offer.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale brings genuine personality to a segment that often plays it safe. While it isn’t the most spacious or tech-forward compact SUV, it makes up for it with standout design, tidy handling and a sense of character that many rivals lack.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioThe Tonale has been priced firmly at the premium end of the compact SUV market, placing it in direct competition with more established offerings from the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes. A look at Alfa’s online configurator shows prices getting underway at £38,650 for the entry-level mild-hybrid car, rising to £48,050 for the range-topping edition, before selecting any optional extras. For those seeking extra efficiency, the full plug-in hybrid gets underway at £45,500, which rises to £54,900 for a top-of-the-range model. If those prices sound a bit steep, then the used market does offer excellent value. Second-hand versions of the Tonale can be found listed on AA Cars for as little as £20,000 with a good level of stock available all the way up to around £35,000 for newer, lower-mileage examples.
Historically, engines have always been a strong point for Alfa Romeo, which has built some of the most engaging power units of the last 50 years. While they haven’t always worked reliably, when things were going well, Alfa Romeos of old were an absolute pleasure to drive, largely because of what was under the bonnet. Continuing that legacy in an era of electrification was always going to be a struggle and, in truth, the modern powertrains seen in the Tonale do lack a bit of sparkle compared to their predecessors. Mild-hybrid cars get a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is teamed with a small 15 kW electric motor to produce 160 bhp, while PHEV cars are powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit and a larger electric motor for 280 bhp. The plug-in hybrid also gets all-wheel drive, compared to the front-wheel-drive setup in the more mild versions. The best performing versions of the Tonale will do 0–62 mph in 6.2 seconds and have a top speed of around 130 mph.
Alfa has worked hard to stay true to its traditional values and the Tonale does feel more engaging to drive than most compact SUVs. Around town it is easy to live with, with the hybrid systems working well in stop-start traffic. The raised seating position offers excellent visibility and the light steering makes narrow parking spaces and tight inner-city manoeuvres nice and straightforward. When you leave town and head for the motorway, the car settles into being a very capable motorway cruiser. Wind and road noise are well controlled, and the automatic gearbox works away smoothly in the background. The plug-in hybrid model, in particular, feels impressively quick when accelerating, making it excellent at pulling out for quick overtakes.
Good handling has always been a staple of Alfa Romeos and the Tonale does a respectable – although not spectacular – job of carrying that legacy. Up against more comfort-focused rivals like the Q3, the Tonale feels far more engaging and agile and it is significantly more fun to drive as a result. For an SUV, body roll is well controlled through the corners, and while the ride is certainly on the sportier, firmer side, it very rarely feels uncomfortable, other than on particularly rough surfaces where the suspension is a little harsh. While the Tonale is never going to deliver the outright excitement of Alfa’s smaller Giulia saloon, it is at least one of the best driver’s cars in the compact SUV segment.
Interior build quality has been something of a stumbling block for Alfa over the years but the move to Stellantis appears to have gotten things going in the right direction. Inside the Tonale, there is a nice blend of traditional Alfa Romeo design cues and more modern technology. The dashboard wraps around the driver, with circular air vents and a deep-set digital instrument cluster. Material quality is generally good, with soft-touch surfaces, contrast stitching and aluminium trim in higher-spec models. While all this is certainly a step forward, the cabin still feels like it falls short when compared to the equivalent Audis, BMWs and Mercedes. Lower down, there are still a few harder, cheaper-feeling plastics which are yet to disappear and it is hard to shake that feeling that something could fall off as soon as the car comes out of warranty.
Practicality is a bit of a mixed bag for the Tonale, but its 500 litres of boot space is pretty competitive up against its main rivals. The space itself is wide and usable, with a low loading lip that makes it easy to lift in heavier items. The space can be expanded further by folding the rear seats down when you need more space – like trips to the tip – but the Tonale still doesn’t quite match the most spacious rivals in this class. While passenger space is good in the front, rear-seat legroom is more restricted for a car of this size and taller adults are going to feel fairly cramped on longer journeys. Having said that, headroom is good regardless of where you are seated. Cabin storage is well thought out, with a large centre console, door bins and cupholders catering to everyday family needs.
Modern car buyers demand a good level of tech and as a result Alfa has worked hard to make sure that even the most basic Tonale models are well kitted out. All trims come as standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, a digital driver display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and a generous suite of driver assistance systems. Moving up the range adds more premium touches, like heated seats, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting and premium audio systems, while Alfa also offers a range of technology packs that bundle popular options together, making it easier to spec the car sensibly. While the infotainment system looks sharp, it can occasionally feel a little unresponsive compared to the slickest systems from Audi or Mercedes.
The Tonale is available in Sprint, Veloce and Intensa trim levels, with each offering a distinct mix of styling and equipment. The Veloce strikes the best balance between sportiness and value and represents the sweet spot in the range. Colour options include Banchise White, Alfa Red, Alfa Black, Vesuvio Grey, Misano Blue and Montreal Green.
The Tonale is fitted with a good level of safety equipment as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and driver attention monitoring. This was enough for the car to bag a five-star rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP, with the model scoring particularly highly for keeping child occupants safe. Reliability is an area where Alfa Romeo has historically struggled, but all the indications are that, once again, the Tonale represents a step in the right direction. It is hoped that sharing components with other Stellantis models will help improve long-term dependability, but Alfa does offer a competitive warranty package, for extra peace of mind.
With hybrid options across the range, efficiency ranks among the Tonale’s biggest strengths. According to official figures, the mild-hybrid version of the car will do between 48.7 and 49.6 mpg, with the plug-in hybrid capable of between 201.8 and 217.3 mpg. While those latter figures may sound impressive, it is worth noting that they rely on drivers stopping regularly to charge and using electric power only. In real-world conditions, drivers can expect the car to return an MPG figure in the mid 40s. Official emissions figures fall between 30 and 131 g/km, depending on which powertrain you go for, resulting in reduced company car tax. Models over £40,000 are also subject to the government’s Expensive Car Supplement, which costs £425 a year for five years, applied from the second year of registration.
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