What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale? What does it compare to?

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale is a new small crossover SUV that comes only as a plug-in hybrid and acts as the gateway to the brand. Sporty and efficient, it’s aimed at the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and X2, and Mercedes GLA-Class.

Is the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale a good SUV?

Alfa Romeo reaches downmarket with the Tonale, but it still delivers good looks, agile handling, and plenty of power, all topped off with about 30 miles of plug-in hybrid range. The cabin is spacious for the Tonale’s small footprint, and it comes loaded with safety features. It earns a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10, which should improve when EPA ratings and crash-test scores become available. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

What’s new for the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale?

Everything, sort of. The related Dodge Hornet beat the Tonale to market, but both vehicles are new. Both are based on a lengthened version of the platform used for the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X. The Tonale comes only with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, while the Hornet also offers a 2.0-liter turbo-4.

The Tonale becomes Alfa Romeo’s smallest and least expensive vehicle, though it’s priced close to the Giulia sport sedan. At 178.3 inches long, it’s 6.3 inches shorter than the Stelvio and its wheelbase is 7.1 shorter at 103.8 inches. 

With less room to let Alfa Romeo’s flowing lines play out over the exterior surfaces, the Tonale isn’t as graceful as the Stelvio. However, it has the right Alfa DNA, including the triangular grille up front, triple-lens headlights and taillights, and curvy rather than angular lines along the sides and corners. It comes off as distinct in its class, but stubby compared to other Alfas.

Inside, the Tonale also has the familiar steering wheel-mounted start button and sport seats. The rounded look continues with several circular elements and a dash that cascades down in two curved levels.

Every Tonale model—Sprint, Ti, and Veloce—features a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It consists of a 1.3-liter turbo-4 that drives the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission and a motor on the rear axle that combine to make 285 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque, which is good for a quoted 0-60 mph run of 5.6 seconds. The motor is powered by a 15.5-kwh L-shaped battery located beneath the center tunnel and rear seat. EPA ratings aren’t in yet, but Alfa Romeo says the Tonale should have more than 30 miles of range.

While the front and rear axles are driven separately, the power is well integrated and strong enough for daily needs. There’s less power in electric mode, but the Tonale can go up to 85 mph in electrons alone.

Like other Alfas, the Tonale is sporty. It has quick steering, strong brakes, and agile moves. Available adjustable dampers firm up for better control without making the ride too harsh. The short wheelbase means it can be jittery on broken pavement.

The cabin has good space for the Tonale’s small footprint. The seats accommodate 6-footers behind 6-footers, and the cargo area has up to 50.9 cubic feet of space. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.3-inch center touchscreen provide the technology, while soft-touch materials on higher-set surfaces provide the sheen of luxury.

The Tonale also gets a full spate of safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, blind-spot monitors with steering assist, and front and rear parking sensors.

How much does the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale cost?

The Tonale starts at $44,590 and comes standard with cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The top Veloce model starts at $49,090 and options can bring the price to the mid-$50,000s.

Where is the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale made?

In Italy.