The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale may be compared to its bigger Stelvio sister in certain aspects, much as Verdi is to Puccini. Verdi was born in 1813 when Italian opera was highly technical and valued less complicated orchestral compositions and cerebral themes. Puccini, born in 1858, was unencumbered by conventional limitations and used expressive, lavish orchestration to bring simple tales to life. In this instance, the younger of the two is, the wiser. The elderly Stelvio is full of passion and emotion. The Tonale, the company’s first PHEV, is effective and practical. Although it is still an Alfa, it adds new tunes to its catalogue.
The Tonale is a brand-new SUV for 2024 that closely matches the beautiful 2019 concept SUV of the same name that served as a teaser, even if the inside isn’t quite as spectacular as the outside. It is the second crossover produced by Alfa and the company’s first new model since the Stelvio debuted in 2016. While Tonale offers a variety of powertrains internationally, the United States now only receives the PHEV. It has a 1.3-litre gas engine has been turbocharged with a 90-kW electric motor, giving it 285 horsepower and fuel economy that both rivals and prior Alfas can’t match.
The appealing Tonale, slightly smaller than the Stelvio, competes with a strong group of high-end compact crossovers like the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Lexus UX, and Volvo XC40. Only the Lincoln Corsair among the relatively limited luxury segment provides a comparable PHEV, although it is more expensive and slower. With all this, the Tonale stands out among its competitors, but the Dodge Hornet stands in its way. This somewhat cheaper corporate cousin, added later in the Tonale’s development, isn’t as attractive yet has many similarities to the Alfa.
The Tonale feels like other compact crossovers, but the Stelvio leans heavily toward sportiness. For conventional all-wheel drive (AWD), the 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine powers the front wheels, which are assisted by the electric motor powering the back wheels. High-voltage Belt Starter Generators (BSG) also make transitions from electric to gas more seamless. Plenty of juice is available. However, similar to other electric cars, it is designed to provide low-down torque rather than Alfa’s customary rev-happy insanity. Although it controls effectively, it doesn’t always promote hooliganism. Although sporty, the Stelvio offers a more exhilarating experience.
However, no Stelvio will ever achieve the combined fuel economy of 31.6 mpg we saw during our tests. This exceeds Tonale’s 29-mpg combined EPA estimate, which is superior to almost all of its rivals. The 33-mile electric range rating seems to be correct as well. While it compares well to its competitors and even the Stelvio regarding inside space for its size, it falls short regarding load capacity. Like the other Alfas, the Tonale’s attractive displays operate the user-friendly Uconnect5 infotainment system, which has many connection capabilities and the ability to get updates over the air.
Additionally, Alfa Romeo offers driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring that are extra on its German rivals’ vehicles. Even if certain parts are optional, we’re happy the essentials are included since this Alfa isn’t cheap. The Tonale begins at $44,590, which is more expensive than most gas-only cars than PHEVs. That is much less than most high-end PHEVs but more than most gas-only competitors. Despite not being as sporty as the Stelvio, the Tonale has much to offer consumers of upscale crossover vehicles. Additionally, Verdi’s operas are performed more often than Puccini’s.
What’s New?
- The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a brand-new small crossover SUV and the automaker’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. It was unveiled this year.
- The Tonale is only offered in the United States as a 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). However, it is also available in other countries with conventional gas, diesel, and mild hybrid gas engines.
- The Tonale is comparable to the BMW X1 and is one size smaller than Alfa Romeo’s other SUV, the tiny Stelvio.
- It is a tiny crossover that adheres to the standard four-door hatchback configuration but does it with an attractive exterior worthy of the Alfa name.
- At first, the Tonale will be offered in three trim levels: Sprint, which is the most affordable; Ti, which is the most expensive; and Veloce, which is the sportiest.
Performance: Alfa Romeo Tonale
The Tonale is available in various European configurations, including gas-only, diesel, and mild hybrid models. Still, just one engine is available in the United States: the 1.3-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. The little 1.3-litre turbocharged engine can produce 180 horsepower (supplied through a six-speed automatic gearbox), but the 90 kW electric motor that drives the rear axle augments it. Together, they can produce up to 285 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque, enabling sprints from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds. (5.6 seconds of a quotation from Alfa Romeo)
There are three driving settings: Dynamic (which sharpens throttle response and keeps the gas engine running constantly), Natural (which is the Tonale’s default setting and which behaves much like a conventional hybrid), and Advanced Efficiency, which is essentially a fully electric mode up until the battery runs out of power, at which point it will fall back to using the gas engine. The SUV can go up to 84 mph on electric power and often adds electric power while on the highway.
The Tonale is a good driver and speedy around town, even in electric mode. Few will be dissatisfied with its around-town manners, even if the steering and suspension aren’t as intuitively communicative as the Stelvio’s. The electric motor’s zero-rpm torque feels excellent, even if the engine’s start-up noise and growl are loud and growly. However, the machine is pretty speedy. Everything is OK, up to around 75 mph, but the Tonale seems to suffer. However, we did some fast passes on a two-lane rural road, and it didn’t seem terrifying.
Although the Veloce has unique adjustable dampers and all Tonales have utterly independent suspension, there is still a good amount of roll, and uneven ground may make the ride uncomfortable. Although the brakes are firm, it doesn’t have the track day warrior’s feel. The Stelvio may be so good at being that sort of SUV that it’s difficult to compete with it, but the Tonale competes well with the X1 and many of its rivals.
Although AWD is standard, we wouldn’t drive this SUV off-road. That wouldn’t be enjoyable due to the ground clearance issues and the tires.
Fuel efficiency: Alfa Romeo Tonale
The Tonale has a significant fuel efficiency advantage over many of its competitors since there aren’t any other PHEV premium crossovers this size, except the somewhat bigger Corsair. It fared better in our tests than its most current official EPA predictions. According to the EPA, the Tonale will reportedly get 29 combined mpg and have an electric range of up to 33 miles. But over a week of varied driving, the Tonale earned 31.6 mpg combined and exceeded its electric-range predictions.
The conventional hybrid Lexus UX, which can get an astonishing 42 mpg combined (43 cities, 41 highway) but isn’t quite as large, fun, or elegant as the Alfa, surpasses the Tonale in terms of fuel efficiency, making it the most fuel-efficient premium compact crossover on the market. The Alfa overachieves in the real world, but the Corsair and BMW X1 aren’t far behind the Tonale’s official estimate of 29 mpg combined.
Despite being an “electrified” car, the Tonale’s 15.5 kWh battery pack can only be charged at Level 1 (using a domestic outlet) or Level 2 (with a home charging station). Level 1 requires an overnight commitment, whereas Level 2 requires two to two and a half hours, and charging is simple.
Safety & Driver Support
The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale has not yet been assessed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Tonale has the highest five-star rating from EuroNCAP, an EU organization that conducts testing similar to that done by IIHS.
The standard advanced driver assistance technology in Alfa Romeo is better than average for its class. The Italian manufacturer adds much more than Mercedes-Benz or BMW but has fewer standard amenities than competitors like Lexus (or Genesis on the one-size bigger GV70). A driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings with lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alerts, traffic sign recognition, and forward automated emergency braking are all included in the standard equipment.
A $1,850 option includes Active Driving Assist (an enhanced adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go and lane centring), surround view monitoring, and parallel parking assistance. At the same time, some of the Tonale’s essential equipment is only available from BMW or Mercedes-Benz for roughly that much. With one exception, the systems function correctly. To keep you in your lane, the lane-keeping system is a busybody and often turns the steering wheel more than is necessary. Despite the dissonant tone, the arrangement is sound.
Comfort and Space
The Tonale has plenty of space for its size, even if its front seats could use additional support. More legroom is available for front-seat occupants than in the X1, Q3, or XC40, and almost as much as in the Mercedes-Benz GLB or GV70, all of which have more extensive interiors. Although the front seat isn’t the best, no controls are too far away, or you might be accidentally bumped into many prior Alfa Romeos with dubious ergonomics. It’s somewhat comfortable but never provides adequate lumbar or thigh support.
The Tonale has a fair amount of space in the rear as well. Although the SUV has more room than those measurements imply, the Stelvio boasts 38 inches of legroom compared to the Stelvio’s 31.9 inches. However, the Tonale seems more roomy than its larger brother and has more legroom than many other cars of similar size. While Alfa offers far greater rear seat room than the Volvo XC40 or Lexus UX, it feels roughly the same in the real world as the X1 and GLB.
The Tonale’s smaller doors make loading children a bit more complex than other possible competitors, but most small-to-subcompact crossovers aren’t much different.
Infotainment: Alfa Romeo Tonale
Every Tonale has a 10.3-inch central infotainment screen running Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 software and a 12.3-inch digital driver display. Though the weird controls for the drivers’ display may force you to consult the owner’s handbook the first few times you want to change its settings, the program isn’t challenging.
The technology is simple, but there isn’t an all-powerful digital assistant like at BMW. Alfa’s native software may be switched out for wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the system can connect to two phones at once if you don’t like it. Additionally incorporated are Amazon Alexa and a smartphone app for controlling automobiles and other features.
Even though all screens at the time may be in vogue right now, Alfa Romeo has kept many traditional controls for things like the HVAC system and volume. That’s advantageous since pinch-and-zoom navigation may sometimes be inaccurate, and touch inputs on the screen might occasionally lag. The front and back include one each of USB-A and USB-C ports. The Ti and Veloce trims include a wireless charging pad, but the tray is uncomfortably tiny and won’t accommodate certain bigger phones.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has just enough room for a couple or a tiny family—22.9 cubic feet behind its back seats and 50.5 with them folded—but not much more. However, bigger compact crossovers and even the smaller BMW X1 (25.7 and 57.2 cubic feet in those same data) provide more. The Alfa offers much greater luggage space than the Lexus UX and compares strongly with the Q3 and XC40.
The cabin’s small item storage is adequate but unremarkable and not significantly different from the competitors. Although Alfa Romeo claims a roof rack will soon be available, the Stelvio is not equipped with roof rails, which may make installing a cargo box or roof rack more challenging than on specific rival models.
Design: Alfa Romeo Tonale
This is a charming vehicle, from its delicate “3+3” LED headlamps and recognizable V-shaped grille to the lovely “Tonale” writing on the tail. It’s crisp, muscular, and full of beautiful details. One illustration of these is the little plug-in hybrid version of the snake-shaped Alfa logo that adorns the glass on the back edge of the rear doors. The exterior is a triumph and is far more recognizable from the front than Dodge’s Hornet. But, unfortunately, the Hornet has the same doors and roofline.
It’s terrible that the Dodge uses the Tonale’s interior so extensively. Although the Alfa appears more stylish and upscale, and the Tonale and Hornet are not identical inside, the similarities are undeniable if you sit in either.
Also desirable would be some inside colour in the Tonale. Although dark red inlays on the seats and white contrast stitching are options, all trims come standard with a black interior. Why couldn’t we bring in some cream or brown? Although the Tonale’s interior isn’t terrible, it doesn’t have the same luxurious feel as those from Audi, BMW, or Volvo.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale 2024: Is It Worth It?
The price of a plug-in hybrid vehicle is often more than that of a gas-only vehicle, and the PHEV-only Tonale is similarly more costly than the gas-only compact luxury crossovers it competes with. Because of this, it can seem as if it belongs in a more premium class, but remember that this powerplant isn’t available on any other SUVs of this size outside the Corsair. Another issue is the Hornet, which initially did not offer a comparable PHEV powertrain. Still, it now does, although with a slightly smaller 12 kWh battery pack and at a price of around $2,000 less model for model. Although the Alfa is prettier, they are close.
There are three trims, with the Sprint beginning at $44,590 (all costs include a $1,595 destination charge). That costs about $4,500 more than the basic versions of the BMW X1 and the Mercedes GLB or Volvo XC40 but less than the Corsair PHEV by more than $10,000. With the Tonale’s exceptional fuel efficiency, you’ll make up the time difference, but you’ll undoubtedly need to be careful about charging overnight.
Despite being well-equipped, the Sprint lacks several of the Tonale’s most luxurious features. The most significant value is usually found by upgrading to the Ti ($46,590), adding additional features (including a hands-free liftgate, a wireless charging pad, and prettier 18-inch wheels), and unlocking all option packages.
These include a high-performance driving package ($1,500, paddle shifters, painted brake callipers, and fancy pedals), a premium interior and sound package ($2,500, adds ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, memory seats, and a Harman Kardon audio system), and a $1,200 panoramic sunroof. Other than the sunroof, we’d omit them and choose one of the more upscale, extra-pricey hues.
Larger vehicles like the BMW X3 start to compete with the top-trim Veloce ($49,090), and if you fully equip it, it may reach over $57,000—the same price as a V6 GV70 3.5T. Although it is y excessive, the Velocprovidesde several features that the other trims do not. This features enhanced Brembo brake callipers, an adaptive suspension, Alcantara inside accents, and a performance exhaust.
How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has a slightly lower insurance cost than its competitors, but because it’s also new, there isn’t much information available. Although this figure covers all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an average yearly premium of $1,790. In contrast, the Lincoln Corsair costs $2,144, the BMW X1 costs $2,173, and the Volvo XC40 costs $1,974.
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Italian automaker’s first plug-in hybrid, combines the brand’s essential DNA with exceptional fuel economy and more usability than the preceding Alfas. Even if the inside isn’t as striking as the outside, it is nonetheless beautiful. However, since it is a PHEV, it drives less like an Italian hot rod and more like a refined, strategic torque machine. The outcome is less athletic than the Stelvio, but it’s still a good experience. Although more expensive at first than many of its upscale gas-only competitors, it is also cheaper than other high-end PHEV SUVs. Even though The Tonale isn’t precisely “traditional,” many appealing aspects exist.
