The new Alfa Romeo Tonale aims to challenge the best family SUVs with sportier handling than its rivals, plus an electrified engine line-up…
On sale July | Price from £36,000 (est)
The youngest child is commonly deemed as the most sociable out of all the siblings. In the case of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the newest and smallest SUV to join the family may very well live up to those traits. For a start, unlike the firm’s larger Stelvio that heavily narrows it focus on being a sports SUV, this Tonale promises to be more approachable to a wider audience. It may continue to offer bold looks and a spirited drive over its rivals, but its balance of sensible running costs should help it mingle within the busy crowd of family SUVs.
Like many of its rivals, including the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40, there’s a plug-in hybrid which should offer up to 37 miles of electric only range and competitive BIK costs for company car drivers. Those without access to a plug socket can take advantage of the regular Hybrid, which offers a petrol engine with the ability to travel for very short distances on electric power alone at low speeds.
It also marks a bit of a technical turn-around for Alfa Romeo, because it can accept over-the-air software updates, features Amazon Alexa voice assistance, and even some form of non-fungable-token blockchain technology for servicing records, which could help act as digital proof of maintenance over its lifetime.
But aside from all this new technology, is the is the car underneath a worthy addition to the class, and does it live up to Alfa’s sporting heritage? Let’s find out.
What’s it like to drive?
The cheaper Hybrid models are powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine available in two power outputs. There’s the entry-level 128bhp unit or the 158bhp version we tried. The more potent 273bhp plug-in hybrid with four wheel drive is arriving in December.
The hybrid system helps out by providing a small boost in performance during acceleration. And it really is small, because the 8.8sec 0-62mph time doesn’t make it a strikingly sporty experience, with judicious use of the accelerator and lots of engine revs required to get you up steep gradients.
The 1.5-litre petrol is certainly buzzier at higher revs than the petrol engines you’d find in a BMW X1, but, thankfully, the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox does its best to calm the engine down when cruising at motorway speeds. That does mean it needs a good prod of the accelerator pedal in order to downshift, and occasionally refuses to change gear when using its manual mode – although we’re assured its response times are being looked into before final production begins.
Road noise is low, and while there is a flutter of wind noise around the door mirrors, it’s nothing that sound system can’t drown out.
The Hybrid’s 0.8kWh battery pack is never going to get you very far on volts alone, so the three-quarters of a mile we managed on a very gentle run is to be expected. Being small, at least the battery does recharge quickly under braking in city traffic, so you will find yourself running on electric more often than not when trundling through traffic. That helps to improve refinement because the engine remains dormant, and any electric motor whine has been effectively quelled.
Due to the Tonale’s sportier remit, the ride at low speeds on optional 20in wheels and standard suspension is best described as busy over scruffier road surfaces. Fortunately, the sting is largely taken out of nasty pot hole impacts, and there isn’t much thunk to speak of, unlike some larger wheeled versions of Audi Q3. Veloce versions have an adaptive suspension system that allows you to soften things off if you find it too firm in its sportier Dynamic mode. We don’t reckon you’ll need them because the ride should be fine if you stick with the standard suspension set up and 18in wheels provided with lower spec Ti trim.
At least the compromise means the Tonale maintains its composure nicely over undulations at speed on the motorway, plus body lean is kept in check during fast changes of direction. A good level of grip keeps you on the right course, even if you get make the most of the quick steering. It’s light for manoeuvres in town, and is pleasingly accurate at higher speeds, although it would be nice if it could build up a little more weight at higher speeds and on twisty B roads for a greater degree of confidence.
What’s it like inside?
Behind the wheel of the Tonale you get a comfortable driving position with plenty of adjustment. Our test car came with an optional premium pack that includes four-way lumbar support with your eight-way electric front seats: there won’t be manual adjustment fitted as standard to entry-level Ti trim.
Alfa’s latest 10.25in infotainment system with Android Auto and wireless Apple Carplay loses the handy rotary controller as used in the Alfa Romeo Guilia saloon and Stelvio, but it gains a much faster operating system, sharper graphics, a simplified menu structure, plus the aid of Alexa voice recognition software to handle some basic commands. If we are to nitpick, it’s a shame that the shortcut buttons running down the left side of the screen and heated seat controls won’t be reversed for right-hand drive, meaning you’ll need to lean over to operate certain functions.
While the Tonale’s dash is attractively shaped and the physical controls for the air-con makes them easy to use, many rivals use far plusher materials than the rhino skin texture found across much of this car’s interior surfaces. You certainly won’t be mistaking a Tonale for a Q3 or BMW X1 when you look at material quality, while even some non-premium family SUVs, including the latest Nissan Qashqai, do a better job of disguising the cheaper looking hard plastics.
Head and leg room up front are fine for six-footers, but shoulder room is tight compared with its major rivals, When it comes to storage space, it certainly doesn’t have the cavernous door cubbies of our preferred family SUV offering, the Volvo XC40, which can handle huge two-litre bottles of water and even a laptop. Visibility is also a bit of an issue due to very chunky pillars front and rear, making the standard parking sensors front and rear, plus the reversing camera a godsend. Climb into the back and you can fit a six footer behind a similarly tall driver, although both an XC40 and X1 offer greater knee room. Head room is well catered for, but trying to fit three across the rear would be a challenge.
The boot is an okay size for the class at 500 litres, and this won’t alter for the plug-in hybrid coming later. The batteries in that version will go under the car, sharing space where the petrol tank goes. The boot is a usefully square shape with a low lip and has generous under floor storage. It’s just a shame that the seats only split in a 60/40 layout, rather than the more flexible 40/20/40 split found in an X1 and Range Rover Evoque.
Keyword: 2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid review: price, specs and release date