Instead of retreating from battle, Alfa Romeo lines up behind the Trilobo shield and Scudetto grille with a new compact SUV, the 2023 Tonale. Joining the Stelvio midsize SUV and Giulia sedan, the new Tonale expands the Alfa Romeo lineup in the United States as its second SUV.
Naming rights continue the familial theme, “Tonale” referring to the Italian mountain pass of the same name, which is slightly smaller than the Stelvio pass that lends its name to its larger but still compact sibling.
The new Tonale has a few tricks up its sleeve to stand out in the crowd.
Tonale PHEV and Tradtional Powertrains
Functionally, it will come with a choice of two powertrains. One is a traditional turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE) displacing 2.0 liters and putting out 256 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, dubbed Tonale Q4 AWD.
The other is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine with all-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 90-kW electric motor (approximately 121 horsepower) and 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery, dubbed Tonale PHEV Q4 AWD. The electric motor drives the rear axle in the PHEV and can generate up to a claimed 1,844 pound-feet of torque from zero rpm. The PHEV puts out 272 hp with the engine and motor combined and can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone.
Tonale Design, Tech and NFT
Non-functionally, yet very trendily, the Tonale will also come with an NFT (non-fungible token) digital certificate. The NFT will evolve with the vehicle “to represent its use during the car’s life cycle, with major benefits in terms of protecting residual value,” according to Alfa Romeo. NFTs use blockchain technology, a gimmick marketing everything from visual arts to audio recordings to conceptual performances. This inclusion is the first time a mass-produced vehicle has included an NFT as standard equipment. Time will tell whether or not Alfa Romeo’s projections about residual value will come true.
Designed at Alfa Romeo’s Centro Stile, the Tonale shares an overall look with its bigger brother, the Stelvio, which is a good thing. In front, the distinctive shield grille makes a bold statement. Signature LED headlights and taillights share the Alfa Romeo logo elements, evoking the snake. A body line, which Alfa calls the “GT Line,” runs the length of the body, an echo of the 1960s Giulia GT Junior.
Even casual fans of the Alfa marque will recognize the “phone-dial” wheel design. The Tonale has a great stance and that rare ability to look fast standing still in repose. A late arriver to the upscale sporty compact SUV segment, its unique style will go a long way to catch the eye of buyers looking to make a statement.
The interior is similarly sleek and racy, with a tucked-in, tailored appearance and quality look. The cockpit is driver-focused, with real aluminum, leather, and Alcantara accents giving the feel of a modern Italian study.
The Tonale will use a Uconnect 5 infotainment system, a standard technology in the Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram universe. The system will feature several fully customizable interfaces that store up to five different user profiles. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless charging, are also available.
A new Telematics Box Module (TBM) enables over-the-air (OTA) upgrades and other capabilities through the Alfa ConnectServicing system. Amazon Alexa is integrated into Uconnect 5 in the Tonale, allowing users to interact with the vehicle from home and with home from the car. In addition, the Alfa Connect mobile app lets users connect a smartphone to the Tonale for remote start, lock and unlock, and other functions.
On the safety, comfort, and driver assistance front, the Tonale will come standard with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, driver attention assist, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and more. In addition, level 2 autonomous driving—often referred to as “hands-off”—with traffic jam assist is available.
Alfa Romeo Tonale Driving Dynamics
Alfa Romeo prides itself on the experience behind the wheel and claims the Tonale will have best-in-class driving dynamics. To that end, it will come with a very direct 13.6:1 steering ratio and an integrated brake system similar to the one in use on the Guilia that combines the stability control system and traditional braking servo to improve pedal responsiveness and provide shorter braking distances. Fixed aluminum shift paddles are available. A fully independent suspension utilizes frequency-selective analog dampers, or buyers can specify an available active suspension with comfort and sport modes.
The Tonale will come in three trim levels at launch: Sprint, the entry-level model; Ti, the luxury version; and Veloce, the sporty one.
Given Alfa’s limited footprint in the U.S., any new model is a reassuring vote of confidence for the brand’s stateside future. The Tonale also slides into the surprisingly popular luxury compact SUV segment, one where consumers appear comfortable spending extra for style and exclusivity—two things the Tonale has in spades.
Alfa Romeo is one of the brands making up Stellantis, a global car-maker that owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Opel, Lancia, Citroen, and several other marques.
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale will be built at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy, and will arrive in North America in the first quarter of 2023.
Pricing will be announced closer to the Tonale’s on-sale date. For comparison, the Stelvio AWD lists for $48,745. Because of its 15.5-kWh battery, the plug-in Tonale qualifies for a $7,296 federal EV tax credit.
