What's the Tonale?

Alfa Romeo unveiled the Tonale at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019 (remember those, auto shows?) in concept form. Aside from the requisite side mirrors, door handles, and windshield wipers, the production 2023 Tonale is a virtual dead ringer for the now2-year-old show vehicle.

That's just as well because the concept was a looker. Designed to compete against the Audi Q3 and Q4, BMW X1 and X2, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Volvo XC40, the Tonale stands out with its understated "necessary beauty" sheetmetal, set off by new 3+3 LED lighting elements on its nose and tail, both of which Alfa says harken back to the SZ and Brera.

What Powers the Tonale?

Underpinned by a heavily modified version of Stellantis' SCCS crossover platform (versions of which are found in the Jeep Compass and Renegade and Fiat 500L and 500X), the Tonale aims to offer the signature Alfa driving experience in an efficient, practical package. Designed from the get-go to be both a global vehicle and the linchpin in Alfa's inevitable pivot to electrification, the Tonale will offer up five powertrain options globally, two of which are coming to North America.

The Tonale's standard North American powertrain will be familiar—Stellantis' turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, versions of which can be found in vehicles such as the Jeep Cherokee. Under the Tonale's hood, that engine produces 256 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive.

Alfa's first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain—expected to be the volume seller—is optional. The Tonale PHEV will sport a 1.3-liter turbocharged I-4 paired with an eTorque-like electric assist motor and six-speed automatic driving the front wheels, while an electric motor backed by a 15.5-kWh battery pack sits at the rear axle, giving the Tonale a total system output of 272 hp and an unspecified amount of torque. (A source at Alfa indicates 350 lb-ft is likely, but that figure isn't official.)

Alfa says the new Tonale PHEV will be both the sportiest Tonale in the lineup and the most efficient. It'll sprint from 0 to 60 mph in an Alfa-estimated 6.0 seconds, and it will be capable of traveling more than 30 miles on electricity alone when fully charged. Like most plug-in hybrids, the Tonale PHEV's battery pack is small enough that it doesn't need Level 3 fast charging; a Level 2 charger will charge the battery from empty to full in about two hours and 30 minutes.

Europe, Asia, and Africa will have the choice of three additional powertrains. In Europe and Asia, the new Tonale Hybrid will be standard. Consisting of a brand-new 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with a built-in electric motor, the front-drive-only Tonale Hybrid will be available in both 130- and 160-hp forms.

Alfa will also offer a 130-hp turbodiesel Tonale with front-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic in Europe and Africa. Alfa says it has no plans to bring the new Tonale Hybrid or diesel stateside, as neither is powerful or torquey enough for North American tastes.

With sportiness a priority for any Alfa, the brand spent much of its time tweaking the Tonale's chassis, making it stiffer and lighter than versions of the SCCS platform found elsewhere in parent company Stellantis' portfolio. Alfa fit all four of the Tonale's corners with struts and frequency-selective damping to ensure a comfortable yet sporty ride. An optional electronically adjustable suspension turns up the wick even more. Alfa promises the Tonale's brake-by-wire tech will "seamlessly" balance regenerative and mechanical braking, as well as ABS functions, while its electronic power steering will be quick and precise. We're eager to test those claims.

Update: Alfa Romeo confirmed the Tonale is available with up to 33 miles of all-electric EPA-estimated range good for 77 mpge, where combined fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 29 mpg.