2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

Overview

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale has arrived to inject some Italian blood into the fray of subcompact luxury crossovers. With curvaceous bodywork that's accentuated by Alfa Romeo's signature sharp-nosed face, the Tonale is sure to garner admiring looks. Although the Tonale features a fully independent suspension and available adaptive dampers, it doesn't inspire the same confidence on a twisty road that its siblings, the Giulia and Stelvio, do. Power comes from a 285-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain with more than 30 miles of estimated all-electric range and standard all-wheel drive. That will make the 2024 Tonale a rare plug-in hybrid option in a class that includes the BMW X1, the Mercedes-Benz GLA250, and the Volvo XC40. But those confident enough to show up to the party in knock-off duds should know the Dodge Hornet is a Tonale clone with a lower price tag and a similar attitude.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#10 in Best Subcompact Luxury SUVs

1

Volvo XC40

STARTING AT: $41,795

2

BMW X1

STARTING AT: $41,495

3

Mini Countryman JCW

STARTING AT: $47,895

4

BMW X2

STARTING AT: $42,995

5

Mercedes-Benz GLB-class

STARTING AT: $45,800

10

Alfa Romeo Tonale

STARTING AT: $45,440

What's New for 2024?

The Tonale debuted in concept form at the 2019 Geneva auto show and has taken a long time to reach production. But it's here now and it's ready to take on luxury rivals from Germany and Japan.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Since the Tonale already starts at a slightly higher price than most rivals, we'd exercise restraint and go with the mid-range Ti trim. The Ti comes with added luxuries such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging pad, interior ambient lighting, and a power-operated rear liftgate.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Tonale is offered with one powertrain and all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid features a turbo 1.3-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor mounted on the rear axle that together generate a combined 285 horses. Alfa equips the plug-in Tonale with a six-speed automatic and a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that's said to provide over 30 miles of electric-only driving range. All models ride on a fully independent suspension; adaptive dampers are optional. During our first test drive, we came away a little disappointed with the Tonale's road manners. Alfa's other models set a high bar, and the Tonale's simply not as engaging as the Giulia and Stelvio. The steering is too isolated from the road for our liking and body motions aren't as controlled as they should be, which leads to some unwanted rolling through corners. The plug-in hybrid powertrain provides enough around-town punch but runs out of steam closer to the Tonale's top speed. At our test track, the plug-in hybrid powertrain slingshotted the Tonale to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Braking performance is good, at least on the top-spec Veloce we tested which comes with Brembo hardware, but we found the handoff between regenerative and friction braking unrefined and difficult to modulate smoothly.

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Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Under the Tonale's floor is a 14.8-kWh battery pack that holds enough electrons to power the small SUV for up to 33 miles on electric power alone. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, we managed 32 miles of EV driving before the gas engine fired up. Charging at home on a 240-volt connection will replenish the battery pack in about two and a half hours.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the EPA the Tonale is good for 77 MPGe combined, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain giving it an efficiency edge over nonhybrid rivals such as the GLA250 and the X1. In our real-world testing, the Tonale Veloce returned exactly its 77 MPGe estimate. For more information about the Tonale's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the circular air vents and the dashboard's driver-centric layout are clearly evolved from the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and the Stelvio SUV. The dash also features a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and its three-spoke steering wheel puts a modern spin on a classic design. A pair of prominent paddle shifters are available, too. The interior is appointed with a mix of aluminum trim as well as leather and microsuede surfaces. The front seats lack thigh and shoulder support, but they're quite stylish, with red contrast stitching and Alfa Romeo crests on the headrests. Overall, the Tonale's cabin is relatively upscale and naturally Alfa in its look and feel. But the Hornet offers the same style for less money, making it the automotive equivalent of a Gucci dupe and diluting the Tonale's desirability.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Tonale comes standard with a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It features Uconnect 5 software that's shared with many other models under the Stellantis umbrella. Along with a customizable home screen, it offers several configurable interfaces with up to five unique user profiles. Its standout standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as wireless phone charging.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Alfa offers a smorgasbord of standard technology on the Tonale's driver-assistance menu, from automated emergency braking to adaptive cruise control. For more information about the Tonale's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available 360-degree camera system

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Despite the company's reputation for reliability woes, Alfa Romeo endows the Tonale with only average warranty coverage.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-motor, rear/all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $49,590/$57,950
Options: Premium Interior and Sound package (perforated leather seating, ventilated front seats w/driver-seat memory, Harman/Kardon premium audio), $2500; 20-inch all-season tires and five-hole Grigio wheels, $2000; Active Assist Advanced package (surround-view camera, parallel and perpendicular park assist, front/rear/side parking sensors), $2000; power moonroof, $1200; Grigio Ascari metallic paint, $660

POWERTRAIN
Turbocharged and intercooled SOHC 16-valve 1.3-liter inline-4, 180 hp, 199 lb-ft + AC motor, 121 hp, 184 lb-ft (combined output: 285 hp, 347 lb-ft; 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 7.4-kW onboard charger)
Transmissions, F/R: 6-speed automatic/direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/struts
Brakes, F/R: 13.5-in vented disc/12.1-in disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
235/40ZR-20 96Y M+S Extra Load

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.8 in
Length: 178.3 in
Width: 74.0 in
Height: 63.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/46 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 51/23 ft³
Curb Weight: 4291 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.2 sec @ 96 mph
100 mph: 15.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 337 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.86 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 28 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 77 MPGe/29 mpg
75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid mode: 32/320 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 29/29/29 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 77 MPGe
EV Range: 33 mi

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs