When an entire vehicle mannequin consists of solely two fashions, a model new introduction goes to actually really feel giant. The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale is the first new model from the Italian automaker given that Stelvio debuted in 2016, and we’ve got been eagerly awaiting the Tonale’s arrival given that concept was confirmed in 2019. The Tonale is the first plug-in hybrid Alfa Romeo, and additionally it is the one powertrain provided within the US. It ushers in a model new interval for the automaker as future Alfas will all be EVs; the company objectives to be completely electrical by 2027.
Power comes from a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with {an electrical} motor and battery, combining to ship 285 horsepower, which the automaker says is the right in its class. The Tonale competes throughout the compact luxurious crossover section with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40, none of which offer a plug-in hybrid chance throughout the US market, although the Volvo crossover may be had as a fully-electric model with over 400 hp. With the Tonale, clients who want an entry-level luxurious SUV now have a hybrid chance; nevertheless will that be enough to draw them into an Alfa Romeo showroom? DrivingOnRoad spent a day with the Tonale to hunt out out.
Exterior: Italian DNA
From the second Alfa Romeo revealed the Tonale Concept in Geneva, we knew this is ready to be a reasonably vehicle. It would sound like promoting mumbo jumbo, nevertheless the Tonale’s design choices pure Italian DNA from the company’s Design Studio at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. The designers tried to evoke components from earlier Alfa fashions, identical to the ‘3+3’ headlights impressed by the SZ, the ‘GT Line’ from the Giulia GT Junior, and the distinctive Alfa Romeo Scudetto defend triangular grille up entrance. The Tonale is not going to be mistaken for an Audi or BMW on the road.
In typical Alfa vogue, there are some dazzling coloration decisions for the Tonale. Alfa White is, disappointingly, the one no-cost chance, although base fashions may be had in Once more without charge, too. Alfa Rosso (Crimson) and Misano Blue Metallic might be discovered for $500 and $660, respectively. There’s moreover a stunning Verde (Inexperienced) Fangio – named after the five-time Technique One world champion – for a whopping $2,200, however it is solely accessible on the very best two trims. Do not be involved, black and metallic grey might be discovered for individuals who don’t want to be pleasant, albeit at a worth
A very good-looking pair of 18-inch 5-hole wheels come commonplace on the underside trim, nevertheless 19-inch wheels may be added for $1,500 (these are commonplace on Veloce), as can 20-inch wheels for $2,000 on the very best two trim ranges.
Inside: Compact Chique
Alfa Romeo has not been a mannequin that leads with experience and inside prime quality first; it’s always been sufficient, nevertheless the mannequin wants its design and driving experience to do lots of the talking. For a subcompact model, the Tonale is on the very least on par with its opponents – counting on the trim stage. We had a chance to drive a Veloce trim, which may be equipped with each perforated leather-based or Alcantara seats. These seats might even have air movement, a unusual chance on this section. The lower two trims come commonplace with what Alfa calls ‘Sport Materials’ upholstery, which feels premium to us, nevertheless couldn’t attraction to the leather-obsessed US market.
As for the experience suite, now we’ve got zero complaints there. All Tonale trims embody a ten.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 Nav, a system we have the benefit of using, paired with a 12.3-inch coloration digital gauge cluster. The gauge cluster choices fully totally different themes, along with a conventional one which replicates a retro Alfa Romeo. We would like further automakers would copy this idea.
Alfa Romeo wouldn’t nickel and dime its shoppers like just a few of the totally different European producers, and instead, the automaker bundles adaptive cruise administration, collision warning, computerized emergency braking, lane departure warning, guests sign recognition, park assist entrance and rear, and lane-keeping assist – all as commonplace. A $1,850 Vigorous Assist Package deal deal on the very best two trims offers full of life driving assist, parking sensors, and a surround-view digicam.
Powertrain: Peppy PHEV
That’s the major Alfa Romeo PHEV model, however it is oddly not the first vehicle we’ve got pushed with this particular powertrain on account of it’s shared with the Dodge Hornet R/T. Similar to the Hornet, there is a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine beneath the hood producing 180 hp by itself. {An electrical} motor contributes to the combo, combining with the gasoline engine for 285 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque throughout the Tonale. Alfa says 0-60 will take 5.6 seconds. No matter using the exact same setup, the Hornet R/T is rated at 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, in all probability on account of its Power Shot attribute; one different doable goal for Alfa’s frustration with Dodge. Power goes out by the use of a six-speed computerized to plain all-wheel-drive, with the rear electrical motor supplying the rear wheels fully.
Dodge hasn’t formally launched EPA gasoline financial system for the Hornet PHEV, nor has Alfa Romeo for the Tonale. Every firms purpose spherical 30 miles of electric-only range from the 15.5 kWh battery pack with an entire range of 320 miles when the gasoline engine kicks on. Our transient 60-mile drive netted 34.6 electrical miles and a 52.3 mpg frequent. In case you’ll be able to price it on a Diploma 2 plug, the battery should solely take spherical 2.5 hours to juice up.
Driving Impressions: A Softer Alfa
The executives attending the launch event have been desirous to stage out that the Tonale was engineered to ship a further mainstream viewers to the mannequin compared with the Giorgio-platformed Giulia and Stelvio. For that mission, the tip product seems to be on monitor. Alfa’s engineers did an distinctive job tuning the drivetrain, and the Tonale comes with easily-understandable DNA drive modes. ‘N,’ which stands for Pure, is the underside setting. It relies upon completely on electrical vitality, solely using the engine beneath heavy throttle. ‘A’ stands for Superior Effectivity and permits {the electrical} motor to remain the one vitality provide, even with the throttle pinned to the bottom. Stepping earlier kick-down will hearth up the engine. The Tonale is one thing nevertheless speedy on this mode, however it manages to take care of up with guests.
‘D’ is the Twin-Power/Dynamic setting that leaves the engine working for max effectivity. It moreover tightens up the load on the already sharp steering, which retains drivers entertained when the road will get twisty. We might like to take heed to barely further of a rumble from the engine, nevertheless we perceive that the majority luxurious shoppers on this section would favor to have a lot much less noise enter the cabin. The 1.3-liter mill will not be the celebration piece, in any case.
Even with 20-inch wheels, Michigan’s powerful roads didn’t seem to upset the adaptive dampers, which can be solely accessible on the very best Veloce trim. Smaller wheels would solely improve the journey comfort.
Pricing & Verdict: A Distinctive Risk
Solely offering the Tonale as a PHEV may be every a blessing and a curse for Alfa Romeo. Whereas it does give the Tonale larger effectivity and an effectivity edge over its gasoline rivals, the value shows that profit. The underside Tonale Sprint begins at $42,995 (not along with a $1,595 trip spot price). For reference, the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA all start at spherical $40,000, with the Volvo XC40 priced over $44k. The Dodge Hornet R/T, within the meantime, begins beneath $40k and comes with a generous safety specification, too – and additional vitality.
Though the Tonale is well-equipped in all trims, we’d nonetheless want to add some decisions. The Ti trim begins at $45,655, and we would add higher wheels ($1,500), the leather-based inside with upgraded audio ($2,500), Vigorous Assist Package deal deal ($1,850), and a nice coloration for good measure ($660). Merely these additions would ship the all-inclusive value to $53,100. A quick reminder that the larger Stelvio begins at $46,575. The best Tonale trim is the Veloce, and it costs $49,695, topping out at $58,840 with every area ticked. You may get a Stelvio Lusso or a Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 (and alter) for that value. A very-kitted-out Dodge Hornet R/T will not be susceptible to be this pricey, each.
Factoring throughout the $7,500 federal tax credit score rating, the Tonale might be one in all many further compelling decisions throughout the section – however it not qualifies beneath the IRA on account of its Italian birthplace. Thankfully, you could nonetheless declare the credit score rating on a lease, which can put this vehicle once more throughout the dialog. It offers commonplace choices that are non-compulsory on totally different vehicles, a novel drivetrain, and attention-grabbing Italian styling. In case you are on the market to lease an entry-level luxurious crossover that could be a bit outdoor the sphere, we’d advocate taking the Tonale on the check out drive. Merely bear in mind the truth that it’ll worth you higher than most opponents.