The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV created by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo

The cabin isn’t revolutionary, nevertheless the richly appointed, driver-focused cabin seems to be a step forward in functionality set alongside the sometimes finicky controls in the Giulia and Stelvio. With Alfa positioned as Stellantis’ new global premium brand, the automaker visited great lengths to really make the Tonale’s cabin upscale without stepping on the toes of its fellow Italian Stellantis brand, Maserati.

Previously, Alfa Romeo hasn’t delivered the kind of interior quality that might be synonymous with reasonably limited brand, that was until updates on the Stelvio corrected this. The Tonale is placed to cement such improvements further, using its mixture of aluminium, vegan leather and Alcantara, a synethetic suede. The inside has been made for and round the occupants, so whenever we get the chance to try the Tonale, we’ll be expecting a lot of space and comfort. Featuring the Uconnect 5, the latest version of Alfa’s infotainment suite, built on the Android os, the Alfa Romeo Tonale features some cool connected features, rendering it more attractive to a younger audience base.

But Alfa Romeo hasn’t gone the whole hog just yet. Being in the Stellantis family, the Tonale has all of the foundations needed to create an award-winning electric car. Like the Stelvio, Alfa’s debut SUV, the racing-inspired sportiness is apparent from the get-go. The Tonale is a stylish car inside and out, with hi-tech specs on safety and connectivity. The iconic Italian carmaker has embarked on a strategy called La Metamorfosi, that will be its means of coming to terms with the potentially upsetting reality that is a change from fossil fuels and towards something arguably less harmful. Aimed squarely at city dwellers, the Tonale will soon be competing with fossil-fuelled Ford Kuga, all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and plug-in hybrid BMW X1 as it pertains to market. The Alfa Romeo Tonale is the initial model from the Italian brand to integrate electrification. We particularly like what Alfa calls its ‘teledial’wheels, obtainable in 17-,18-,19- and 20-inch sizes.

It comes with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain from the Jeep Renegade, with a front-mounted petrol engine and a rear-mounted electric motor. Leading of the automobile has three-plus-three LED headlights evocative of these on the SZ and Brera. The Tonale Concept was unveiled in March 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show. The Tonale has D.N.A Alfa Romeo driving selector with modes: Dual Power mode for maximum performance, Natural mode for everyday use, and Advanced Efficiency setting will only use electric propulsion. The e-mozione button on the touchscreen further tailors throttle settings, braking response, and steering feel.

This equates to shifting the heft of the two-tonne Tonale very nimbly indeed. Both powertrain choices are quick enough off the mark, delivering 272hp and plenty of torque. Each change alters the driving dynamics, to provide Alfa’s undertake performance, comfort and eco modes. What’s more, the 120hp motor of the PHEV sits on the trunk axle. The Tonale has three drive modes, controlled by a switch in the cabin. Aided by the Tonale’s benchmark-setting driving dynamics, this 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale boasts the best weight distribution and probably the most direct steering in its segment.

It has a 10.25-inch central display and a 12.3-inch cluster display. Alfa claims this is a nod to its sporting heritage, though we can’t help feeling the simpler digital speed and rev display would better suit the youth of its target customer. Featuring the Uconnect 5, the latest version of Alfa’s infotainment suite, built on the Android os, the Alfa Romeo Tonale features some cool connected features, rendering it more attractive to a younger audience base. The Tonale is set to cement such improvements further, having its mixture of aluminum, vegan leather, and Alcantara, a manufactured suede. Inside, the interior quality that could be synonymous with reduced brand, that was until updates on the Stelvio corrected this. The inner has been designed for and round the occupants, so the ability to test the Tonale, be expecting plenty of space and comfort.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale offers two powertrain choices; the Q4 AWD and 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale (more excitingly) the PHEV Q4 AWD, which reaps all the benefits of regenerative braking technology. Though there is no manual transmission available, a three-spoke sports controls and flappy paddles can be found as an selection for keen drivers. While engine stop-start technology helps keep the Tonale’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine ULEZ compliant, the choice with the greenest smarts has to be Alfa Romeo‘s first electric-petrol hybrid. It combines a 15.5kWh battery with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering over 30 miles of pure-electric range. Built utilising the Stellantis ‘global medium family’architecture, the Q4 AWD comes with a nine-speed gearbox, turbocharger and direct fuel injection – all speaking to the racing heritage of the brand.