The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a big step forward for the historic and iconic Italian manufacturer because it is its first subcompact crossover. Admittedly, it is a bit late for this already massively competitive segment, but the new and exciting option introduces some innovative drivetrains to the fray, among other distinctive features. The niche and stylish crossover is a pleasant addition to the market, but it is up against some stiff and compelling foes that benefit from a better reputation compared to Alfa Romeo’s historically unreliable past. Stellantis assures that the new range of products will stand the test of time and usher in a new era of dependability for the Italian marque, but many skeptical consumers remain cautious.

Globally, the Tonale has aided in raising the brand’s sales figures by 60 percent year-on-year. The Tonale achieved a commendable six percent market share in the European region this year, having sold 12,000 units since the beginning of 2023. Now introducing the model into the American market, experts expect its success to skyrocket. This all depends on how well the brand markets and prices the car locally. Hurting the model’s chance for success is the fact that it is not locally produced and only available with the flagship PHEV drivetrain, resulting in a higher starting price. Thankfully, the Tonale has many redeemable qualities that could see it rise to the higher echelons of the compact crossover arena.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including fueleconomy.gov, Euro NCAP, and Car and Driver.

What’s New For 2024?

2024 is the Alfa Romeo Tonale’s inaugural year in the USA, having been introduced to the European market in 2023. It’s available with one drivetrain configuration, but three trim levels, including the base Sprint, Ti, and flagship Veloce. The brand has not confirmed whether it will be introducing the base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine option, but this configuration is available in the Dodge Hornet, which shares the same mechanical components as the Alfa Romeo. This is the first plug-in hybrid and compact crossover produced by the brand, marking a significant step forward. Alfa Romeo will follow the Tonale with a series of electrified products, but currently, it stands as a completely unique proposition from the brand.

2024 Highlights

• A new 1.3-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 285 horsepower.
• Dual-zone climate control.
• Electronically adjustable heated front seats.
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by uConnect 5.0.
• Front and rear parking sensors

Exterior Dimensions

Engine Specifications And Performance

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is only available in the USA with the gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid option. The ICE is a turbocharged 1.3-liter based on FCA’s GSE design, which debuted in 2016 for the Brazilian Fiat Uno as a naturally aspirated three-cylinder, before being extended to the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X, among other compact cars from the group.

The engine features an inline-four configuration with single overhead cams and a brand-new high-pressure direct injection system. The innovative engine operates on the Miller cycle, which claims to be more efficient than the Atkinson cycle, by using a turbocharger to offset any mechanical loss. In isolation, it produces 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A compact eMotor producing 121 horsepower and 184 pound-feet powers the rear axle. This sources energy from a 306-volt, 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. These two means of propulsion, forming the revolutionary Q4 all-wheel drive system, work together to generate a combined 285 horsepower and 347 pound-feet, resulting in a claimed 6.0-second 0-60 MPH time. Expert car testers have lowered this figure down to 5.5 seconds. Alfa Romeo claims a top speed of 125 MPH.

Performance Specifications

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

• 10.25 touchscreen infotainment system with uConnetc 5.0.
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
• Front heated electrically adjustable seats.
• Dual-zone climate control.
• Six-speaker audio system.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale features a chic, sophisticated, and clean cabin setting. The tight interior has a driver-centric layout, with a three-spoke leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and physical controls for the HVAC and drive selector. A conventional automatic gear selector also remains. All of these controls, together with the touchscreen infotainment system, are slightly angled towards the driver, marginally inhibiting use from the passenger seat.

While the interior may be sleek, the color-scheme is predominately dark with the base trim, which features black cloth upholstery with biscotto stitching. The Ti adopts a black and tan cloth combination, while the Veloce adorns a vibrant black and red combination Alcantara fabric for the seats. Perforated real leather is available via the Premium Interior Package for both the Ti and Veloce.

The Tonale’s cabin packaging isn’t class-leading, but it puts up a decent enough fight against some key rivals. The front row offers 41.7-inches of legroom and 38.8-inches of headroom, which is enough for those standing six-feet tall, but it will be a squeeze for those who are any taller. The rear bench is not as accommodating, with its 38-inches of legroom and 38.2-inches of headroom. 22.9 cubic-feet of cargo space will be enough to carry two to three medium suitcases with some room to spare for other items. It will accommodate the average grocery or school run just fine, but weekends away may require intelligent packing.

Technology

All Tonale trims come standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. These cover most of the car’s safety, comfort, and entertainment features. All cars come with a basic six-speaker audio system, but you can fit the Ti and Veloce with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system through a Sound Package if you specify it with the Premium Interior Package.

The Tonale’s digital displays are a big drawing card as they are considered to be some of the best in the segment. They both offer crisp and easy-to-use interfaces, impressive responsiveness, and satisfying graphics. All trims come standard with voice control, navigation, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a series of connectivity subscriptions ranging from three to 10 years.

Interior Dimensions

Safety And Reliability

The Alfa Romeo Tonale offers a reasonable number of standard safety features as it comes fitted with six airbags covering the driver, front passenger, sides, and overheads. A basic assist system and some advanced driver assist features bolster its safety criteria. The IIHS and NHTSA are yet to crash test the Tonale range, but the compact crossover performed well in its Euro NCAP test, earning an impressive five-star rating. Considering Europe’s specifications and safety legislation are vastly different to America’s, this is merely a reference point.

While the Alfa Romeo Tonale has been awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, this in no way represents or suggests any rating from the NHTSA or IIHS, nor should you consider it a representation of how safe the Tonale is according to U.S. standards.

The Tonale and its all-new drivetrain are far too young to rate on the reliability front, so it has not been rated by J.D. Power as yet. However, the range has been slapped with a concerning recall relating to loose battery cables that can lead to a fire when parked as well as a disconnected pedestrian alert siren connection issue.

Driver Assistance Features

The base Tonale ships with very few advanced driver assist systems, but you do get a blind spot detection system and forward collision alert, and mitigation. ABS, traction control, and stability control with anti-roll are also included. Alfa Romeo makes its $1,850 Advanced Assist package available to all trims, which will add adaptive cruise control, an auto-dimming function for the driver-side door mirror, and a 360-degree park assist and surround-view camera system.

Notable Safety Equipment

• ABS with electronic brake distribution and brake assist.
• Traction and stability control with anti-roll.
• Blind-spot warning.
• Forward collision warning and mitigation.
• Optional Advanced Assist package.

Euro NCAP Crash Testing

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 2
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: N/A

Warranties

The Alfa Romeo Tonale ships standard with the brand’s limited warranty package, which includes a 48-month or 50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. A 60-month and unlimited mile warranty covers corrosion, while roadside assistance is included for 48 months with unlimited miles.

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Versus Its Competitors

The Alfa Romeo Tonale’s main rivals in the premium compact crossover segment are the Volvo XC40 B5 all-wheel drive and Lexus UX 250h, both of which are hybrid electric vehicles without plug ports. Both of these cars approach the segment uniquely, with Volvo opting for a clean and svelte approach, while the Lexus opts for a dynamic and energetic aesthetic. The Tonale seriously has its work cut out for it, as these two companies and models are far more established in the USA. The Tonale has a significant edge with its PHEV drivetrain and more competitive starting price.

How The Alfa Romeo Tonale Compares To The Volvo XC40

• 	2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale	2024 Volvo XC40 B5 AWD
  Model	Alfa Romeo Tonale	Volvo XC40 B5 AWD
  Engine:	Turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder	Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  Torque	347 pound-feet	258 pound-feet
  Range	360 miles	369 miles
  Transmission	Six-speed dual-clutch automatic	Eight-speed automatic
  Driveline	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
  MSRP	$42,995	$42,495
  0-60 MPH	6.0 seconds	6.1 seconds
  Horsepower	285 horsepower	247 horsepower

The Volvo XC40 B5 AWD puts up a considerably tough fight against the Italian newcomer thanks to an attractive and sleek interior and exterior design, a comprehensive suite of safety features, and a spacious interior. The Tonale gains some ground on the performance and fuel consumption fronts, but these are the only areas where it excels next to the Swede. The Tonale’s smaller downsized hybrid engine results in a better 29 MPG figure compared to the XC40’s 26 MPG estimate. It consequently covers more range despite its gas tank being smaller. The Tonale produces 38 more horsepower than the XC40, but only manages a 0-60 MPH sprint time that’s one-tenth of a second faster.

Interior dimensions are where the Tonale shines against the Volvo despite accommodating a fairly sizable battery pack. The XC40’s cargo space measures in at 16 cubic-feet, which is significantly smaller than the 22.9 cubic-feet offered by the Alfa Romeo. There are fractional differences in front and rear headroom and legroom figures, but the Volvo’s shoulder room is a full inch wider at the front and two inches wider at the rear.

How The Alfa Romeo Tonale Compares To The Lexus UX 250h

• 	2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale	2024 Lexus UX 250h
  Model	Alfa Romeo Tonale	Lexus UX 250h
  Engine:	Turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder	2.0-liter four-cylinder
  Torque	347 pound-feet	149 pound-feet
  Range	360 miles	413 miles
  Transmission	Six-speed dual-clutch automatic	eCVT
  Driveline	All-wheel drive	Front or all-wheel drive
  MSRP	$42,995	$36,690
  0-60 MPH	6.0 seconds	8.6 seconds
  Fuel Economy	77 MPGe	39 MPG
  Horsepower	285 horsepower	181 horsepower

The last-generation Toyota Prius drivetrain, criticized for being lethargic, puts the Lexus UX at a significant performance disadvantage. Despite its lower output, it doesn’t even put up much of a fight with its 39 MPG EPA-estimated consumption. This is admittedly better than the Tonale’s 29 MPG estimate when running on its turobocharged ICE, but it doesn’t come close to the hybrid system’s 77 MPGe estimate. The UX has been praised for fairly inviting handling characteristics, thanks to the sharp TNGA chassis, but the Tonale’s performance-inspired architecture provides better driver satisfaction.

The Lexus UX further disappoints on the interior packaging front as it only offers 17.1 cubic-feet of trunk space, compared to the Tonale-s 22.9 cubic-feet of space. The UX falls short on all front and rear head- and legroom comparisons by just under an inch. The UX gains some points on the pricing front with its lower $36,660 starting price, but it comes at the cost of some crucial standard features. The $39,150 Premium trim resolves these shortcomings, while still undercutting the Tonale.

How Much Does A 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Cost?

The Alfa Romeo Tonale range starts with the Sprint trim at $42,995. The $46,115 Ti and the flagship Veloce, priced at $50,195, follow the base model. All trims come with exactly the same hybrid drivetrain all-wheel drive system. These prices exclude the brand’s $1,595 destination fee.

Fuel Economy

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is one of the most efficient compact crossovers currently available to the American market. The EPA estimates its hybrid powertrain to consume an impressive 77 MPGe, while the gasoline engine returns a respectable 29 MPG combined estimate. The total system will return a 393-mile range from its 11.2 gallon tank and 15.5 kWh battery. The ICE will cover 360 miles without assistance from the electric motor. The electrical system will carry the Tonale for 33 miles.

Is It Worth Buying the Alfa Romeo Tonale?

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a costly car considering its compact dimensions, but there’s a lot of benefits to be had. It is a very attractively designed car both inside and out, so it will provide daily aesthetic pleasures if the cabin quality can hold up over the years. The powertrain is its biggest highlight as it provides a pleasant blend of performance and efficiency.

There is great variety to be had across the range, as all trims come fitted with an impressive level of specification. The brand could improve on this by introducing a more comprehensive safety suite as standard, as this package significantly raises the overall price. Despite being a compact crossover, the Tonale will be an accommodating small family car suited for urban commutes, but users may find it to be too compact for long-distance journeys. The electric system offers just about enough range for daily urban commutes.