Let’s take it section by section. There’s a lot to unpack with the Tonale, and if you’re an Alfisti at heart, this is going to be a ride through both nostalgia and cold hard reality.
With Gearshift Breaks: Mild Hybrid with 160 hp

We start off on the undulating backroads weaving through the Göttingen Forest. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo, paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, should be eager here, at least on paper. But the moment I hit the throttle with any intention, I’m greeted with… hesitation.
There’s a brief, disjointed pause. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission seems to think about it, hard, before finally shifting down and letting the engine pick up its act. In town or during light cruising, this delay isn’t a dealbreaker. The gearbox behaves civilly, and the Tonale moves gracefully enough through traffic circles and tight lanes. But the second you start carving corners or demanding response on the forest’s twisting roads, it’s like the drivetrain stumbles on its shoelaces.
The hybrid assistance is subtle, almost too subtle. Alfa placed the 13.5 kg battery between the seats to supply extra torque at lower revs, but the boost feels more like a polite nudge than a real kick. With 160 hp and 240 Nm, it should feel brisk. Instead, even in Sport mode, there’s a vague sense of lag. The steering, although quick in ratio, lacks feedback. It’s light, which works fine for urban errands, but on a spirited backroad drive like today’s, it leaves me wanting more grit, more communication from the wheels.
Fuel efficiency during the test hovered around 6.9 l/100 km. Respectable, not revolutionary. Emissions are well managed, with four out of five Ecotest stars. That’s a feather in its cap. But in a brand built on emotion and agility, you expect a bit more visceral reaction when you hit the throttle.
Also Sluggish: The Plug-In Hybrid with 280 hp
I had a day with the plug-in hybrid version earlier this autumn, down near Balocco on Alfa’s test track. The numbers sound good: 280 hp system output, 0-100 km/h in under 7 seconds. In reality, the experience felt muted. Not bad, just not Alfa.
There’s torque, yes, but the delivery is so filtered through the software and e-motor logic that it robs the experience of thrill. Gearshifts, again, arrive a beat late. The Tonale PHEV can glide in electric mode for nearly 50 km in real-world driving, a commendable stat, especially for commuters, but once the combustion engine joins the party, the charm fades fast.
The drivetrain in the hybrid feels disharmonious, as if the engine and motor are having a quiet disagreement about who’s in charge. And despite the “280 hp” on paper, the car performs more like something in the 180-200 hp range. There’s no drama, no crescendo, just a calm, almost indifferent forward motion.
The Suspension is Unnecessarily Tight
The Göttingen Forest isn’t a racetrack. It’s riddled with roots, patched asphalt, and the occasional cobbled village. Here, ride quality matters. The Tonale, unfortunately, comes armed with a suspension setup that feels a bit like Alfa tried to inject sportiness with stiffness alone.
Even at moderate speeds, the 19-inch wheels with their low-profile tires transmit every surface imperfection. It doesn’t help that the body never quite settles. On long stretches, I could feel the cabin subtly bobbing, the car constantly fidgeting over imperfect tarmac.
At 90 km/h through an evasive maneuver, the Tonale holds its line like a pro. ESP and grip are top-tier. But straight-line highway cruising exposes a different issue: nervousness. That ultra-direct steering rack, already too light, makes the Tonale feel jittery. Small corrections lead to noticeable changes in direction. Combined with the tight chassis, the result is a ride that’s exhausting on long trips. Alfa aimed for sportiness and overshot into rigidity.
High-Quality Interior, Five-Year Warranty

Here’s where the Tonale claws back ground. Inside, Alfa got it right. Really right.
Slide into the driver’s seat, and you’re greeted by quality materials, thoughtful design, and a general sense of premium craftsmanship. The dashboard is elegantly sculpted, with soft-touch surfaces and clean lines. Even small details, like the fabric-covered A-pillars or the gas struts under the hood, show care.
There’s no rattling, no cheap plastic echoes. You can tell this cabin was built with pride. The infotainment system, with its 10.25-inch touchscreen, is fast and vibrant. Voice control via Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, all present and accounted for. There’s even a separate climate control interface, which is a rare ergonomic win in this touchscreen-heavy age.
Practicality? Surprisingly good. Rear seat legroom accommodates tall passengers, the trunk holds 500 liters (expanding to 1,550 with seats down), and cabin storage is generous.
And the kicker: a five-year extended warranty. Alfa’s betting on long-term reliability, and that’s something worth noting.
Connection to Historical Models
Even standing still, the Tonale whispers its heritage.
From the “telephone dial” wheels to the triple-eyed front lights inspired by the Brera and Zagato, Alfa has injected enough historical DNA to warm the hearts of diehard fans. The rising beltline recalls the GT, and the twin cowl dashboard nods to the Duetto Spider.
Technical Specifications
Technical info is taken directly from Alfa Romeo’s official website to ensure it’s correct.
Feature | Tonale 1.5 VGT 48V-Hybrid Ti TCT (2025) |
Engine Type | 1.5L Turbocharged Inline-4 (Mild Hybrid) |
Displacement | 1,469 cc |
System Power | 160 hp / 118 kW |
Torque | 240 Nm |
Transmission | 7-speed Dual-Clutch |
Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
Acceleration (0–100 km/h) | 8.8 seconds |
Top Speed | 212 km/h |
Combined Fuel Consumption (WLTP) | 5.6 l/100 km |
CO₂ Emissions | 127 g/km |
Trunk Volume (Normal) | 500 liters |
Trunk Volume (Max) | 1,550 liters |
Curb Weight (EU) | 1,600 kg |
Towing Capacity (Braked) | 1,500 kg |
Warranty | 2 years + 3 years extended (FCA Germany AG) |
Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4,528 x 1,835 x 1,614 mm |
Base Price (Germany) | €50,500 |
Conclusion
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a conundrum.
It looks fantastic. It feels expensive inside. It even has enough practicality to serve as a daily family SUV. And in a forest, on a quiet morning, it turns heads without even trying. But when you ask it to dance, to really live up to the “Cuore Sportivo” badge, it hesitates.
The drivetrain lacks spark. The suspension is overzealous. The steering’s too numb. It’s as if Alfa polished the mirror but forgot the heartbeat.
Is it a bad car? Absolutely not. It’s just not the sports SUV we hoped it might be. And for a brand that trades on emotion and driving pleasure, that’s a missed opportunity. If you’re buying with your head, the Tonale might just fit the bill. But if you’re buying with your heart, the Giulia or Stelvio still wear the crown.
Is the Alfa Romeo Tonale good for long-distance driving?
It’s comfortable in terms of seat ergonomics and interior quality, but the stiff suspension and jittery highway handling can be tiring over long journeys.
How does the Alfa Romeo Tonale compare to competitors like the BMW X1 or Audi Q3?
The Tonale holds its own in design and interior quality, but falls short in driving dynamics and powertrain refinement compared to its German rivals.
Is the Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-in Hybrid worth the additional cost?
Only if you need the electric range for daily commuting. Performance-wise, it doesn’t deliver the punch you’d expect from a 280 hp badge.