Driven: Can the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale Still Feel Special When a Dodge Feels Similar?

With the Italian Alps as a backdrop, we snake the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale around another corner of the Italian brand's private test track in Italy. Somewhere among these countless curves we realize you can enjoy this luxury SUV anywhere, anytime.

What makes the 2026 Tonale such a joyous experience on a winding road or even on a market run is the brand's prioritization of design and driving fun over everything else. Alfa Romeo focuses on emotion—for goodness' sake, a snake eating a human is part of its intricate logo. That core brand identity is easy to find in the Tonale, the least expensive model in the brand's U.S. fleet. What we traveled to Italy to see was whether the updated 2026 model can overcome a single misstep that limits its potential.

How the 2026 Tonale Drives

Hard to believe Alfa Romeo has been in business since 1910. You just can't buy that provenance, and that matters when you're considering a luxury car. Classic Alfa Romeos can go for millions of dollars, and part of the emotional impact here is knowing this 2026 Tonale sorta comes from the same bloodline.

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Right away, Alfa Romeo goes bold. Turn the steering wheel and the quick steering tells you this is no ordinary car. Just like other modern Alfas, the 2026 Tonale has a quick steering ratio, which means a slight tug of the steering wheel results in more of a direction change than almost everything else you've ever driven.

This is mostly a good thing. Tesla has used quick steering for years to impart a feeling of sportiness. Here, it's paired with steering feel and a bit of body roll to let you know this is no ordinary appliance.

Suspension tuning is on the firm side of acceptable in 2026 Tonales without the dual-mode suspension. Also, if you choose the fantastically styled 20-inch wheels, some tire noise accompanies the wind noise.

The nine-speed automatic could be more responsive during spirited driving, but it's usually in the right place for everyday driving. All of this should be expected for someone seeking a fun ride.

This Model Is Gone From the Tonale

The Tonale launched a few years ago with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, only adding a standard non-hybrid option later. For 2026, the more pricey plug-in is gone from the U.S. lineup, leaving the 268-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four standard across the board.

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This is not a "have your cake and eat it, too" situation; the engine offers good acceleration in but gives up fuel economy. That translates to a low-for-the-class driving range of about 324 miles. Competitors allow for fewer stops for fill-ups.

Design

Since the Tonale arrived a few years ago, the Alfa has been one of the most attractive small SUVs on the market. That doesn't change for 2026, but we're more partial to the purer design before 2026.

The new model has air intakes in different places than before—on either side of the scudetto (the middle portion of the trademark front grille on all Alfas)—and the license place now mounts on the lower fascia. It's centered this time, which is its own design improvement for those living in places where front plates are mandatory.

Why You'd Consider a BMW X1 or Acura ADX

All that styling front to rear has a negative effect on rear and rear-side visibility from inside, but it's a worthy compromise. Would you rather be seen in a boxy Mercedes GLB? No, you're here for a reason.

Inside, the cost-cutting necessitated by being the only 2026 Alfa Romeo SUV in the U.S. under $50,000 is more clear. The cabin has character, but a mix of hard and soft-touch surfaces make things feel segment appropriate, versus punching above its approximately $40,000 starting price point. (Read our full interior review here.)

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Speaking of price points, we need to address the Dodge-sized elephant in the room. As long as the Dodge Hornet exists (we suspect the SUV could return for the 2027 or 2028 model year), it dilutes brand value from the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The two cars share a similar design and interior layout, not to mention the same engine and similar fun-to-drive dynamics.

When a Dodge-branded product has offered a similar experience as an Alfa Romeo, you have a problem.

We're not saying Dodge buyers are likely to cross-shop the Alfa or vice versa. It's more that when you're shopping for a luxury car, you might not want to drive with the knowledge that a knockoff version has been offered before. Even on the Acura ADX, an SUV we've criticized for sharing too much with the Honda HR-V it's based on, some effort has been made to change the exterior.

Is the 2026 Tonale Good?

To understand how the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is different in a beautiful way, consider the luxury SUV’s color palette. Five of the eight available colors this year are actual colors, plus black, white, and gray. There are even two greens, both of which we've seen in person and look great. Alfa's right. This really is about emotion.

The 2026 Tonale's case is bolstered by that Alfa Romeo heritage and a surprisingly livable back seat. And oh, that design. You won't see this design in a modern art museum, but for a common consumer product, it sports a not-so-common level of style.

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However, we wish Alfa's destination charge wasn't outrageously expensive. We don't yet have 2026 pricing, but the 2025 model's destination charge was $3,295 at a time when many cars charge half that. The point is to make sure and compare prices of MSRP plus destination and not just the MSRP.

Many SUVs in the $40,000 to $50,000 range make life hard for the 2026 Tonale. The new 2026 Mazda CX-5, for example, is likely to offer driving fun and a good design with far more interior space and more technology for less money. The Alfa also has poor resale value, according to the experts at Black Book.

That makes the 2026 Tonale one for the home team. If you considered an Alfa before, you'll like the new one with its expanded exterior and interior color options. But as long as there's a chance the Dodge Hornet may return to the market, we understand why some might hesitate before trying this solid Italian luxury SUV.