Alfa Romeo is expanding its line-up with its first-ever small SUV: the 2023 Tonale. Made for young, metropolitan, and dynamic customers, it slots below the Stelvio SUV but manages to pack the same distinctive and sensual designs the Italian brand’s known for.
Slotting into the same class occupied by the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus NX, and Mercedes-Benz GLA/GLB, the Tonale uses the same platform as the Jeep Renegade. Yet, designers manage to hide it very well with lines that are credibly Alfa-like.
The performance treatment continues to the powertrain where the Tonale is offered with various levels of electrification.
The range starts off with a 130 horsepower hybrid, moving up to a boosted 1.5-liter 160 horsepower paired with a 48-volt electric motor. Both versions are mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic.
For performance enthusiasts, the Tonale will come with a traditional 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 265 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, while the Plug-In Hybrid will have 275 horsepower thanks to a turbocharged 1.3-liter paired with a 122 horsepower (90 kW) electric motor. This combination is enough for a zero to 100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds, and a pure electric range of 80 kilometers.
Meanwhile, for those who prefer a diesel, a sole 1.6-liter unit with 130 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque is available and this one’s mated to a 6-speed dual clutch.
Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Renegade, the Tonale is equipped with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) shock absorbers as standard. Higher-trim variants go full on with active suspension with electronically controlled damping. Furthermore, ventilated Brembo brakes with four-piston calipers upfront give it surefooted stopping power.
Inside, the Tonale does benefit from the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a screen size that measures either 8.8 or 10.25 inches. The driver also has a 12.3-inch digital cluster display made to look like a vintage Alfa Romeo instrument panel. Naturally, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard. Other creature comfort features include ventilated and heated front seats and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Lastly, the Tonale offers Level 2 autonomous driving with its intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition. It also has autonomous emergency braking, drowsy driver detection, blind spot detection, and a 360-degree camera. It also offers semi-automatic parking.
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