Interested in an Alfa Romeo Tonale?

    It’s not as cheap as Alfa Romeo’s previous entry-level model, but the Tonale undercuts key German rivals and slots in under the brand’s more expensive Giulia and Stelvio.

    UPDATE, 16/06/2023 – Our review of the Tonale is now live.

    UPDATE, 7/7/2023 – Alfa Romeo has announced pricing for the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4, which will be offered solely in high-spec Veloce specification. See article for details.

    With a base price of $49,900 before on-road costs, the Tonale Hybrid Ti significantly undercuts both the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, though the gulf between it and an Audi Q3 is much smaller. It’s available to order now.

    The Ti and Veloce pack a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system.

    This engine is mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and produces 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque.

    The range will grow to include a plug-in hybrid flagship late in 2023. Alfa Romeo had previously said this powertrain wouldn’t come here, nor would the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The latter still remains off the table.

    With the demise of the Giulietta hatchback, the Tonale serves as the brand’s entry-level model – at least for now, with an even smaller crossover in the works.

    The Tonale represents a significantly higher entry point than the defunct Giulietta hatchback, which started at around $10,000 less.

    It’s understood to use Stellantis’ Small Wide platform, which also underpins the Jeep Compass.

    Pricing

    • 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid Ti: $49,900
    • 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid Veloce: $56,400
    • 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 Veloce: $77,500

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Drivetrains

    The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 118kW of power at 5750rpm and 240Nm of torque at 1500rpm.

    It’s mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and both the Ti and Veloce are front-wheel drive.

    Power in the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 comes from a 132kW 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine on the front axle, teamed with a 90kW/250Nm electric motor on the rear axle.

    There’s a six-speed automatic paired to the combustion engine up front, while a 15.5kW lithium-ion battery feeds the e-motor at the rear. Together, the system has a total power output of 208kW and the dual power sources facilitate electrified all-wheel drive

    Alfa Romeo claims a 0-100 time of a hot hatch-like 6.2 seconds.

    Efficiency

    The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale has claimed combined cycle fuel economy of 5.6 litres per 100km.

    The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 quotes an all-electric driving range of 60 kilometres, and brand claims the Tonale’s high-voltage battery can be charged in 2.5 hours using a 7.4kW AC charger.

    Dimensions

    The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale measures 4528mm long, 1841mm wide and 1601mm tall on a 2636mm wheelbase.

    Underneath the boot floor sits a spare wheel.

    Alfa Romeo quotes a 500L boot for global versions of the Tonale Hybrid, though Australia’s standard fitment of the space-saver spare wheel means the luggage capacity is slightly different – we’re still waiting for the company to confirm exact figures.

    Fold down the rear seats and there’s 1550 litres with no spare wheel. Again, we’re waiting for Alfa Romeo to confirm exact figures for Australian specifications.

    Servicing and Warranty

    All Alfa Romeo models in Australia are now backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, and the first five services are capped at $545, $645, $545, $1345 and $595.

    Safety

    The Alfa Romeo Tonale has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

    This result was based on a score of 83 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 67 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 85 per cent for safety assist.

    Alfa Romeo says an ANCAP rating is coming late in 2022.

    Standard safety equipment on all Tonale models includes:

    • Autonomous emergency braking with vulnerable road user detection
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
    • Traffic sign recognition
    • Intelligent speed assist
    • Six airbags

    The Veloce adds:

    • Side parking sensors
    • Traffic Jam Assist level 2 autonomous driving
    • Surround-view camera
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert

    Standard Equipment

    The Tonale is available in two trim levels.

    Tonale Hybrid Ti highlights:

    • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
    • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
    • Digital radio
    • Six-speaker sound system
    • Wireless charging pad
    • Front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports
    • Keyless entry and start
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Electric park brake with auto hold
    • Six-way manually adjustable front seats with powered driver lumbar
    • Carbon cloth/leatherette upholstery with beige stitching
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Aluminium pedals
    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • Tyre pressure monitoring
    • Matrix LED headlights
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Power-folding heated exterior mirrors

    Tonale Hybrid Veloce adds:

    • Dark Miron front grille and body kit with matte inserts
    • Privacy glass
    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Brembo red brake calipers
    • Gloss black window trim
    • Auto-dimming exterior mirrors
    • Active Dual-Stage Valve Suspension
    • Alcantara and leatherette upholstery with red stitching
    • Aluminium door sills
    • Aluminium paddle shifters

    Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 Veloce adds:

    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Heated washer nozzle
    • Black leather upholstery with dark grey stitching
    • 8-way power front seats with driver memory
    • 14-speaker 465W Harman Kardon sound system

    Options

    A panoramic sunroof is optional on the Ti and Veloce for $2500, while 20-inch grey-finish alloy wheels are exclusively available on the Veloce for $1500.

    There are also two option packages.

    The Lusso Pack, available on both variants, costs $4500 and adds:

    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Heated washer nozzle
    • Black leather upholstery with dark grey stitching
    • Eight-way power front seats with driver memory
    • 14-speaker 465W Harmon Kardon sound system

    The Technology Pack ($2500) adds various features included in the Veloce to the Ti, such as:

    • Traffic Jam Assist
    • Side parking sensors
    • Surround-view camera
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

    Colours

    • Alfa White
    • Alfa Red
    • Alfa Black
    • Vesuvio Grey Metallic
    • Misano Blue Metallic
    • Montreal Green Tri-Coat (Veloce only)

    Alfa White is standard, while other colours cost $1600 apart from Montreal Green which is $2500.

    MORE: Design Exposé: Alfa Romeo Tonale
    MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Tonale

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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