Alfa Romeo Refreshes Tonale SUV With Design Tweaks and New Tech to Bolster European Sales
The mid-size SUV receives a refreshed front fascia, wider stance, and an updated interior, with the 270 hp plug-in hybrid leading the charge.
Alfa Romeo is rolling out a revised version of its Tonale, a critical mid-size SUV for the brand, just three years after its initial launch. The update introduces subtle design revisions and interior upgrades aimed at maintaining its competitive edge in a crowded European market.
The vehicle’s exterior changes are most noticeable at the front, which features more pronounced lines and a redesigned lower bumper with new air intakes. In a key styling shift, the license plate has been moved from the side to a central position below the brand’s signature “Scudetto” triangular grille.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is updated across the board.
To give the Tonale a more aggressive stance, its track width has been increased by one centimeter at both the front and rear. The refresh also includes new wheel designs up to 20 inches in diameter and three new paint options: Rosso Brera, Giallo Ocra, and Verde Monza. The rear of the vehicle remains largely unchanged.
Inside the cabin, the most prominent update is the replacement of the traditional gear lever with a modern circular selector on the center console. Alfa Romeo has also improved the quality of interior materials and introduced two new upholstery combinations based on trim level: “Red Leather and Alcantara” or “Black and White.” The digital displays, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central multimedia screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, are carried over.
The biggest interior change is the replacement of the gear lever with a round selector.
Passenger and cargo space remain unchanged. The 4,522 mm long SUV offers generous room for occupants, while boot capacity varies by powertrain. The diesel version provides 500 liters, expandable to 1,550 liters, while the plug-in hybrid offers 385 liters, or 1,430 liters with the rear seats folded.
Passenger space remains notable in the second row.
In Spain, the updated Tonale will be available in four trim levels: the base “Tonale” starting at €40,150, followed by the “Ti” (€42,900), “Veloce” (€45,650), and “Sprint” (€47,150). These prices correspond to the 130 hp diesel engine. The hybrid version costs an additional €2,650, while the range-topping plug-in hybrid commands a premium of €11,450 over the diesel across all trims.
We tested the plug-in hybrid version with all-wheel drive and 270 hp.
A first drive of the 270 hp all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid, which offers up to 60 kilometers of electric-only range, revealed a positive impression. The steering, while still direct, has been softened in response to customer feedback for greater comfort in daily driving. On a 50-kilometer highway stretch in electric mode, the vehicle showed 18 kilometers of remaining range. In hybrid mode, it recorded an impressive fuel consumption of 1.2 L/100 km.
Our first contact with the Tonale PHEV has been more than positive.
The Tonale maintains the brand’s reputation for passionate driving dynamics, though it presents a more comfort-oriented character compared to other models in the Alfa Romeo lineup. The suspension effectively balances comfort with dynamic capability, limiting body roll in corners, while the 270 hp powertrain delivers strong acceleration when required.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale remains a great SUV with a passionate character.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has changed just enough to remain a strong alternative.
