Summary
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a compact five-door SUV/crossover and the brand’s first mild hybrid model, woith a small electric motor supporting a petrol engine.
Arriving in the UK in the second half of 2022, the Tonale is the smaller of two SUVs in the Alfa Romeo line-up, sitting below the larger Stelvio. The compact SUV is built on the same foundations as the Jeep Compass, and rivals upmarket alternatives like the Audi Q3, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40.
Considering this competition, Auto Express states that it has “concerns about how premium SUV buyers will feel about the interior quality”, which What Car? calls “disappointing” and Carbuyer “surprisingly cheap in some places”.
Although the SUV has received several plaudits for its stylish exterior design which stands out in a small SUV class that Parkers describes as “stale”, many reviewers also comment that the Tonale’s alluring looks don’t really match the problematic performance under the bonnet.
Carwow reports that there is an “irritating delay” before the turbocharged petrol engine kicks in when accelerating, and The Sun says the SUV’s gearbox can be “indecisive and hesitant” at times. Auto Trader adds that the Cupra Formentor is also “considerably faster”.
That said, reviewers generally agree that the car is well-equipped as standard – its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating being a reflection of its long list of safety features – and that the Tonale is both comfortable and responsive on the road, with tidy handling and cosmetic flair that Top Gear says makes it “less boring” than many of its rivals.
Overall, the Tonale is a certain step forward for the Alfa Romeo brand, but as The Sunday Times concludes, its cabin quality makes it hard to recommend over established premium family cars. “Even the prettiest bodywork in the segment can’t gloss over that.”
Additional powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid model, are expected to join the range in coming months.
As of September 2023, the Alfa Romeo Tonale holds an Expert Rating of 58%, based on 29 reviews published by UK media sources.
Tonale highlights
- Alluring exterior styling
- Well-equipped as standard
- Comfortable ride
- Sharp driving dynamics
- Alfa’s first electrified model
Tonale lowlights
- Interior is cheap in places
- Lethargic accelerator response at speed
- Rivals are more practical
- Hesitant automatic gearbox
- No all-electric version
Key specifications
Body style: Compact SUV
Engines: petrol (mild hybrid)
Price: From £39,995 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in SUV is designed to appeal to both head and heart due to its efficient powertrain, startling looks and engaging dynamics.”
Read review
Model reviewed: PHEV (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Alfa Romeo’s Tonale delivers in plenty of key areas but it still lacks the fun factor we expect from the one of the Italian brand’s models.”
Read review
Model reviewed: PHEV
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The plug-in hybrid Tonale Q4 is our pick of the range because it’s not only more efficient and offers a competitive 42-mile electric driving range, it’s also better to drive than the mild-hybrid version and packs more punch.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre Q4 Veloce
Score: 8 / 10
“The plug-in hybrid version of the new Alfa Romeo Tonale has the potential to divert company car drivers from key rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol (mild hybrid) automatic Veloce
Score: 7 / 10
“Alfa Romeo has done a good job of creating a relatively firm but tidy-handling car from humble underpinnings, but the Tonale’s laggy powertrain spoils the fun and could prove irritating during day-to-day driving.” (Matt Robinson)
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It certainly has the looks, the hybrid system is effective and it drives nicely but rivals like the Volvo XC40, Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3 feel more premium while a Cupra Formentor looks just as flash and is considerably faster.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed: Plug-In Hybrid Q4 Veloce
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a funny kind of car, the Tonale PHEV. For all the talk about passion and driving dynamics, its main selling point will be its sensible appeal.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Tonale Plug-in Hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“A BMW X1 xDrive25e has it licked on driving dynamics and hybrid drivetrain integration, while a Volvo XC40 Recharge plays the laid-back game better again than the Alfa. Alfa calls itself a premium brand, and these two rival premium players provide the stiffest of competition.” (Mark Tisshaw)
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Veloce
Score: 7 / 10
“Acclimatise to the Alfa Romeo Tonale’s somewhat hyperactive steering and occasionally jumpy powertrain and it drives with more than enough verve to stand proud of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque. The fact that it looks appealing on the outside and balances technology and tradition impressively neatly inside only adds to the appeal. However, like rather too many Alfa Romeos before it, the Tonale stops notably short of perfection.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol (mild hybrid) automatic Ti
Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a half-appealing car but one that’s harder to warm to than, say, the incredibly compelling Giulia saloon or the maturely capable Stelvio SUV.” (Matt Prior)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Tonale is a decent car, but it lacks the home-run ability or just the old-school charm to give us full confidence in the future of the brand.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: PHEV (2023)
Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV has stylish looks and a sporty drive but there are too many flaws for the Tonale to challenge the best in this fiercely fought segment.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic (mild hybrid)
Score: 6 / 10
“Despite the sharp looks and keen drive, with its 32% BIK figure and so-so performance, it’s hard to recommend the Alfa Romeo Tonale in mild hybrid form. The incoming PHEV model should solve both of these issues; we look forward to finding out in due course.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a handsome design with a lovely, practical interior, plus lots of safety kit to keep the family safe, including automated braking, lane assist, blind spot detection and intelligent cruise control. Like a true Alfa, it’s fun to drive fast. Let’s hope Alfa’s software engineers can fine-tune the car’s low-speed manners, making the steering more predictable and the hybrid less hesitant.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tonale is the car that Alfa Romeo has been waiting on for some time, and it should work wonders in boosting the brand’s sales. It retains the Italian firm’s trademark glamour, yet brings a spacious and well-built interior and generous levels of equipment.” (Ted Welford)
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a stylish SUV that’s good to drive, but rivals have better-quality interiors”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale is one of the more fun small SUVs from the driver’s seat, and the interior quality along with the good looks and efficiency bring a welcome dose of Italian flair to the basket of premium small SUV alternatives.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Speciale
Score: 7 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale looks pretty good, is competitive in all the sensible ways and feels premium enough to not leave you yearning for a bit of German-spec quality. So, a perfectly fine way to get around with a little bit of Italian design goodness thrown into the mix. Oh, and the infotainment system is easy to use and relatively quick, too. It’s just a shame the Tonale doesn’t share the dynamic polish of the Giulia and Stelvio.” (Jethro Bovingdon)
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a stylish family SUV offered with all-important hybrid power. We think its sleek looks will tempt buyers away from staid competitors, but it’s not without its foibles.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“It’s a great-looking car and certainly worth a test drive – because for those that do gel with it, the Tonale will be like a breath of fresh air in what has become a rather stale compact premium SUV segment.” (James Dennison)
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Ride comfort, even on 19in alloys, is fine and steering is positive but the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox can prove indecisive and hesitant at times if not in dynamic mode.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Tonale Plug-in Hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tonale PHEV is a far more promising compact SUV than the standard Hybrid model, although it still retains some of the same issues. The technology and cabin quality remain weak points, while the ride comfort still isn’t quite right and the price is expected to be steep.” (James Fossdyke)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Were the Alfa noticeably cheaper than its premium rivals, its handling and looks might give it half a chance, but a lack of cabin quality puts it at a definite disadvantage. While the Alfa Romeo Tonale looks premium from the outside, it doesn’t feel that way once you get inside. Even the prettiest bodywork in the segment can’t gloss over that.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Veloce
Score: 6 / 10
“Alfa Romeo hasn’t yet pulled off Volvo’s trick of transforming itself into a bona fide premium brand. Next to its more polished rivals, the Tonale feels a bit rough around the edges. On the stunning roads of the Dales, the Tonale is a delight. But in rush-hour traffic on a rainy Tuesday in Leeds, it is less so. So if you’re thinking about picking an Alfa Romeo Tonale, you must ask yourself whether the joy of the former outweighs the mediocrity of the other.” (Alex Robbins)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tonale is quite a nice family SUV, but not a great Alfa Romeo and I struggled to find Imparato’s “Vibe” here. There will be those for whom this is more than enough, especially with the illustrious cross-and-snake badge on the bonnet.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Tonale is styled and engineered with more verve than most of its rivals. Not perfect, but no crossovers are.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Hatchback-like handling isn’t enough for the Tonale to stand out over its more accomplished family SUV rivals, especially when it’s priced to compete with premium rivals that all have plusher interiors.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
“It seems that everyone is buying SUVs these days, but very few feel genuinely sporty. That’s where the Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-In Hybrid comes in, with agile handling and keen performance – even if it could do with more responsive acceleration. The Tonale is also perfectly practical for family duties, with a spacious cabin and decent boot.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a strikingly styled newcomer in the small SUV market. Its main attraction is sharp driving manners, which are every bit as impressive as those found in the BMW X1. The Tonale, however, is also practical enough for family duties, with a spacious cabin and generous luggage capacity. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t feel class-leading in many other areas.”
Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 67%
Safety assist: 85%
The Alfa Romeo Tonale was crash tested by Euro NCAP in Summer 2022, and was awarded a full five-star rating.
Testers commented that the SUV performs well in potential car-on-car and vulnerable road user crash avoidance tests, but also said that its crash protection scores are not the highest in its class as the car “lacks centre airbags and proves to be an aggressive collision partner in frontal crashes.”
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of September 2023, the Alfa Romeo Tonale has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of September 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Alfa Romeo Tonale to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Tonale, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 34 mpg | D | 28 – 36 mpg | D – E |
Diesel models | 44 mpg | C | 36 – 47 mpg | C – D |
Plug-in hybrid models | 192 mpg | A | 143 – 197 mpg | A – A |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 190 g/km | C | 179 – 233 g/km | C – D |
Diesel models | 169 g/km | C | 159 – 206 g/km | C – D |
Plug-in hybrid models | 33 g/km | A | 32 – 44 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 38 miles | D | 34 – 38 miles | D – E |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 35 | C | 24 – 50 | B – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £364 | C |
Year 2 | £785 | C |
Year 3 | £1,286 | C |
Year 4 | £1,507 | C |
Year 5 | £2,060 | C |
Overall | £6,002 | C |
Running costs for the Alfa Romeo Tonale sit at around the market average, according to data exclusively provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.
The SUV’s insurance premiums are not overly expensive but not cheap either, and its service and maintenance costs are predicted to be on par with rivals like the Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar E-Pace.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Alfa Romeo Tonale has received
2022
- What Car? Awards – Readers Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Alfa Romeo Tonale, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q3 | BMW X1 | BMW X2 | DS 3 Crossback | Jaguar E-Pace | Lexus UX | Mercedes-Benz GLA | Range Rover Evoque | Volvo XC40
More information
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