Alfa Romeo delivers a small SUV with real passion. Jonathan Crouch drives the Tonale.

Ten Second Review

Striking, sleek and significant, Alfa Romeo's Tonale could hardly matter more to the Milanese maker. This compact SUV comes with electrified engines, a styling nod to the past and a very lovely cabin. Can it win over Teutonic brand customers looking for a change? It'll be interesting to see.

Background

So Alfa Romeo reinvents itself. Again. A few years ago, it was as a maker cable of credible SUVs. Now, it's as an electrified brand. Well, a partly electrified brand anyway. There's no Alfa EV yet, but we do at least have a proper hybrid product - and a car that will set a course for the next generation of Alfas, this one, the Tonale. It's a small SUV that sits just below the Stelvio in the company's line-up. It would be nice to report that this crossover is heart and soul Alfa from the ground up - as brand owners Stellantis tell us. The truth however is that almost all the engineering here, rather unpromisingly, is shared with a Jeep Compass - the chassis and both the drivetrains, which are of both the mild and plug-in hybrid sort. But if you love the marque, don't despair. We're told that this confection has been engineered with Alfa expectations very firmly in mind. And the styling certainly meets that brief, with enough pavement presence to make key German rivals look very dull indeed.

Driving Experience

This isn't an EV but it is partly electrified - though brand boss Jean-Philippe Imparato wants to qualify that: 'This is an Alfa Romeo first and then it is a hybrid'. What he means by that is that though most of the engines are available from more ordinary Fiats and Jeeps, the drive experience here has been developed to be uniquely Alfa. Our market won't get the conventional diesel and 2.0-litre petrol options that Alfa offers in other countries. Most UK Tonale customers will instead choose the 1.5-litre 48-volt mild hybrid four cylinder variable geometry turbocharged unit, offered here with only with 160hp. Strong, linear acceleration is promised, the e-motor filling in at low revs, before the turbo cuts in. Your alternative at the top of the range is a potent 280hp Plug-in Hybrid petrol AWD Q4 model. This pairs a 180hp version of an old Fiat 1.3-litre MultiAir engine with a rear-mounted 121bhp electric motor powered by a 15.5kWh battery which, when fully charged, can deliver a 49 mile EV range. The engine turns the front wheels via a 6-speed torque converter auto gearbox, while the e-motor powers the rear wheels, completing the Q4 AWD system. The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 accelerates from zero to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 84mph in full-electric mode (and 128mph in hybrid mode), with the e-AWD system providing instantaneous deployment of 100 per cent of available torque from the electric motor on the rear axle. The 4x4 hybrid system doesn't physically connect the two propulsion systems, but rather coordinates them.

Design and Build

If you know your Alfas, you'll recognise plenty of historical brand cues here. The Zagato SZ-style headlights, with three beams on each side; the 'telephone dial'-style wheel design; and the curved rear screen, which apparently references a Bertone Coupe from the 1960s. All of this is pretty faithful to what we saw from the inspiration model here, the concept car that the brand showed at Geneva back in 2019. Size-wise, think BMW X1 or Audi Q3. The 1.6-metre height is much the same. The length is 4.53-metres and the Tonale is 1.84-metres wide. You might be equally sold on the cabin, which places you snugly behind the chunky wheel and looks lovely when specced out with the brand's sumptuous leather upholstery. Veloce variants have beautiful aluminium shift paddles. There's new territory for Alfa with digital screens. The centre dash one is 10.25-inches in size, while the display you view through the wheel is 12.3-inches across and features some neat animations of those lovely '3x3' headlamps. Back seat space is very acceptable by class standards; a six foot rear passenger can sit behind an equally lanky front seat occupant. And there's a class competitive boot capacity figure of 500-litres.

Market and Model

The Tonale is available in three trims; 'Sprint' and 'Veloce', with an additional 'Tributo Italiano' top version. Think pricing comparable to better versions of this car's most obvious three rivals, the BMW X1, the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA. That means a price span for conventional models in the £36,000 to £45,000 bracket. For the Plug-in Hybrid Q4 version, you're looking at paying in the £48,500-£52,000 bracket. All variants do at least come well equipped for that. All get Alfa's usual 'DNA' drive mode selection system and quite a few variants will come with niceties like a wireless charging mat, heated and ventilated seats, a powered tailgate and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The two cabin screens come included too, the 10.25-inch centre monitor and the 12.3-inch instrument binnacle display. Every model gets a bespoke-developed Integrated Brake System and 'Veloce' variants have four-piston fixed callipers supplied by Brembo. As for damping, well mainstream versions have Frequency Selective Damping, which switches between high and low rates depending on driving style and road conditions. 'Veloce' trim gets you Marelli electronically switchable dampers developed specifically for the Tonale, which work through the modes of the DNA system. 'Normal' and 'Advanced Efficiency' DNA settings leave the spring in a comfort setting; they become stiffer in 'Dynamic' mode. 'Advanced Efficiency' clicks you into full-EV drive in the PHEV model.

Cost of Ownership

If you care about efficiency, then because you can't have a Tonale diesel (in the UK at least), you'll probably be ordering this Alfa in 1.5-litre 48V Hybrid form. This is a Hybrid that uses the electric motor by completely disconnecting the petrol engine, which can remain idle for up to 47% of the time - or up to 62% in town. The powertrain's built-in e-motor acts to shift the operating point of the combustion engine, ensuring that it can reach maximum efficiency even in a cold vehicle. This function speeds up the catalyser warm-up transition, with further benefits in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. The hybrid power supply has multiple advantages, not least in start-up in 100% electric mode, which is smooth and silent with no fuel wasted. Subsequently, the Tonale can continue to be driven in full-electric mode, compatible with power demand and the battery charge level. Electric-only power supply can also be used for the 'e-creeping' function, to make a series of short movements forward with no pressure on the accelerator, for example in a traffic jam. The car can also be parked in 100% electric mode, either in first gear or in reverse (Alfa calls this 'e-parking'). In addition, the hybrid power supply is designed to recover energy during both braking and deceleration. The alternative to the 1.5-litre 48V Hybrid is the Plug-in Hybrid Q4 model we told you about in our 'Driving' section. Here, the 306-volt, 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery supplies an electric range of over 49 miles in the urban cycle and more than 372 miles of total range, making the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid one of the most efficient plug-in hybrid SUVs. The PHEV powertrain reduces CO2 emissions to 29g/km and improves fuel consumption to deliver 217.3mpg in the WLTP cycle. With the aim of providing maximum efficiency, it takes less than 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery from a 7.4 kW charger.

Summary

It may be some time since Alfa turned a decent profit but the allure of the brand seems to be as strong as ever - and not only to loyal customers: apparently, Volkswagen tried to buy it as recently as 2018. Sometimes, it's difficult to understand where this kind of following comes from. When Alfas were really Alfas, back in the '60s, '70s and '80s, they looked and sounded great but were unreliable and bits fell off. To address that, more recent brand owners have based mainstream Alfas on Fiat Group underpinnings, diluting the reasons people wanted them in the first place. The Tonale combines these two approaches better than any small Alfa we can remember. The looks and the cabin are, as advertised, pure Alfa Romeo. The engineering isn't, but a lot of work's been put in to give it an Alfa feel. Enough work to justify a test drive if you've a sneaking admiration for the Milanese marque? Absolutely.

Body Glass

Front and rear power windows with auto up/down and antipinch

Rear wiper

Auto wipers with rain sensor

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electronic Stability Programme

Electric parking brake with autohold

Emergency braking pedestrian and vulnerable road users - interurban

Autonomous emergency braking inter-urban

Carpets/Rugs

Front/rear floor mats

Communication

Wireless charging pad

Apple car play/Android Auto

Driver Aids

Traffic sign recognition (w/navigation)

Lane support system

Alfa connect box

Alfa dna with esc off (3 modes + esc off)

Intelligent speed assist

Alfa connect services

Forward collision warning

Speed limiting device

Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go

Power assisted steering

Driver Convenience

Quick guide in english

Warranty handbook uk

Passive / keyless entry (front doors)

Driver Information

Full tft instrument cluster - 12.3"

e-Call (emergency call)

Drowsy driver detection

Driving Mirrors

Black painted mirror caps

Electrical-folding exterior mirrors

Electric exterior mirrors (heated)

Auto-dimming rear internal mirror

Embellishment Trims

Scuba shark black grain PU dashboard

Biscotto stitching on dashboard

Backlight film graphic dashboard insert

Entertainment

DAB digital audio broadcast

10.25" radio touchscreen, usb, bluetooth audio streaming, voice controls with navigation

Exterior Body Features

Grained black rear bumper caps

Rear side wing doors

Chrome finishing tonale badge

Gloss black painted window surround

Roof, hood and exterior mirrors protection

Body colour door handles

Body colour rear roof spoiler

Gloss black painted body kit w/ Black side and front inserts and skidplate

Shark fin antenna

V front bezel black

Exterior Lights

Auto high beam

4 Interior puddle lights

U shaped LED blades DRL signature and dynamic turn indicator

Welcome/leaving lighting

Full LED rear lamps

LED license plate light

Auto headlamps with dusk sensor

LED cornering projector light

LED blade stop light

Matrix full led headlamps with adaptive system and fog light function

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

PTC heater

Dual zone air conditioning with aqs (with rear airvents)

Interior Features

Scoba shark black grain PVC upper door panel and armrest

Scoba shark black grain PVC centre armrest

Centre armrest with dark grey stitching

Door armrest with biscotto stitching

Alfa logo embroided on headrest

Black ceiling and pillars

Sport leather steering wheel with start button

Overhead console with domelamp led and switches

Bottle storage 1l on door panel

Metallic pedals

12V socket in boot

Perforated leather upholstery

Front usb plug type a + c (charge + data)

Rear usb plug type a + c (charge)

Front armrest (integrated in the central tunnel)

Rear central armrest and 3 headrests

Interior Lights

Mono colour ambient light (included in domelamp)

Ambient lighting and backlighted film-carbon look

Packs

Winter pack - Tonale

Veloce RHD MHEV pack - Tonale

Safety

6 airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Rear seatbelt reminder alert

Three 3 point rear seatbelts

Manual rear child locks

Seats

60/40 Rear seats with ski pass

Ventilated front seats

Front headrests

4 Ways electric driver and passenger lumbar adjustment

Seat belt height adjustment

Single front passenger seat

Security

Vehicle theft alarm with hood protection and intrusion sensor (thatcham)

Keyless Go

Capless fuel filler

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisor mirror with light (driver and passenger)

Wheels

Black and white alfa romeo logo center wheel caps

Summer tires

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go puncture repair kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 128

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 131

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 128

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Compression Ratio: 12.5:1

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Cylinders: 4

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

CC: 1469

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.2

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 71.2

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 48.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 49.6

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 49.6

General

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 85

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 29E

Service Interval Mileage: 9000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 83

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 67

NCAP Safety Assist %: 85

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 160

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Coin Series: Veloce

Coin Description: MHEV

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 8

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 24.5

Top Speed: 131

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.8

Engine Power - KW: 118

Engine Power - RPM: 5750

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 160

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 177

Engine Torque - NM: 240

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R19

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DARK FINISH DIAMOND CUT

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R19

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2082

Height: 1601

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1841

Wheelbase: 2636

Length: 4528

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2135

Minimum Kerbweight: 1525

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 55

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 700

Max. Loading Weight: 610

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 500

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.57

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1550

Max. Roof Load: 50

Entertainment

Harman Kardon sound system

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Special solid paint

Tri coat paint

Panoramic sunroof

Packs

Techno pack - Tonale

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Vesuvio grey

Metallic - Misano blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alfa red

Paint - Special

Special solid - Alfa Black

Tri-coat - Montreal green

Special solid - Banchise White

Seats

8 way driver/passenger electrically adjustable seats with driver memory

Trim - Leather

Nappa leather - Black with dark grey double stitching

Wheels - Alloy

20" Grey finish alloy wheels