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Put them facet by facet and also you may miss what’s new with the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale in comparison with the mannequin it replaces, however when you spend a couple of minutes behind the wheel or contained in the cabin, it’s a bit of clearer that Alfa has been busy tidying up the finer particulars of its small SUV.
The Italian model’s first compact SUV hasn’t precisely lived as much as its ‘child Stelvio’ billing prior to now, with earlier variations feeling extra fairly than passionate. This replace goals to repair that, promising sharper dynamics, extra polish inside, and some visible tweaks as half of what’s, to be honest, a comparatively minor replace. Consider it as an Italian espresso that’s been dialled in correctly after just a few under-extracted photographs.
There are such a lot of causes to think about the Tonale over one more German SUV, however Alfa Romeo’s struggles in capturing the hearts and minds of Australian consumers stay. Most premium consumers love the concept of driving an Alfa Romeo, however relating to really signing on the dotted line, they have a tendency to look elsewhere.
Brisbane consumers don’t even have the choice to purchase an Alfa Romeo, because the model lacks any native dealerships there and its nationwide retail footprint isn’t precisely massive. There are lots of different causes Alfa continues to battle regionally, however the vehicles themselves have at all times been enjoyable to drive and a pleasure to take a look at.
When you’ve got been contemplating a Tonale prior to now however have been hesitant to present it a go, it’s now higher than it’s ever been because of an enormous replace to the hybrid powertrain and driving dynamics, nevertheless it actually is dependent upon Alfa Romeo with the ability to place the car on the proper worth alongside a horde of German opponents which might be pumping out wonderful choices just like the BMW X1, supported by an in depth vendor community throughout the nation.
The 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is a mid-life replace to a automobile that didn’t do in addition to the Italians had hoped. Whereas it appears just about equivalent to the automobile it replaces, the revisions and enhancements have made it a real contender towards its rivals.
On the skin, the up to date Tonale now has a curvier front-end, with the decrease air intakes resembling the newer and even smaller Junior gentle SUV. On the identical time, different contemporary design parts draw inspiration from the Italian automaker’s racing historical past, and vehicles just like the Giulia GTA.
The entrance overhang has been shortened to raised steadiness the automobile’s proportions, and there’s a selection of up to date alloy wheel sizes for every variant. There are additionally three new metallic paint colors – Rosso Brera (crimson), Verde Monza (inexperienced), and Giallo Orca (yellow) – and an elective two-tone association with a black roof, which we love dearly.
The revised Tonale arrives in Australia early in 2026, however we lately had an opportunity to drive the top-spec plug-in hybrid Tonale This autumn abroad, forward of its native launch.
How a lot does the Alfa Romeo Tonale price?
Pricing for the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale stays to be confirmed, however in the direction of the tip of the pre-updated mannequin, the native operation was doing runout offers of $45,990 drive-away for the entry-level Tonale Ti mild-hybrid (MHEV).
If pricing had been to stay in keeping with the outgoing Tonale, the 2026 mannequin vary will begin at $49,990 and finish at $79,000 for the plug-in hybrid (examined right here).
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
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What’s the Alfa Romeo Tonale like on the within?
Alfa’s designers have taken the Tonale’s already trendy cabin and given it a correct once-over. The basics stay unchanged, with the ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen carried over, however the supplies and detailing have stepped up.
The infotainment system itself is quick and simple to make use of, with a super-clear display screen and responsive software program, nevertheless it’s lower than the requirements of BMW’s newest iDrive setup.
There’s now a selection of crimson leather-based or two-tone black and white Alcantara upholstery, full with distinction stitching and matching dashboard trim. The centre console has been reworked with a brand new rotary gear selector that’s simpler to achieve and appears much less prefer it was sourced from a elements bin.
Alfa says that eradicating the standard gear selector has allowed a greater driving expertise and simpler entry to the quantity controls.
Our ideas on the change are combined. On the one hand, it undoubtedly appears higher and is much extra sensible however, on the opposite, the rotary dial is nearly lagging in its operation and makes a quite unusual noise because it transitions from one choice to the subsequent.
It’s virtually like they’ve changed the standard gear lever with an electrical system that manually strikes the gear lever below the centre console.
Different modifications embrace the addition of ambient inside lighting, which has been given the Italian therapy, with a gradient-style impact throughout the sprint that’s extra ‘Milan boutique’ than ‘mid-spec crossover’.
Entrance-seat occupants get eight-way electrically adjustable seats with heating, air flow, and lumbar help, whereas the steering wheel and even the washer nozzles at the moment are heated, which is useful for the 2 frosty mornings you’ll really get in Brisbane.
It nonetheless feels compact inside, and the boot hasn’t grown, however the match and end are higher resolved than earlier than.
In contrast with the sooner hybrid mannequin, during which some plastics and switchgear felt a contact Fiat-like, this feels nearer to what the badge guarantees.
The seats themselves are fairly snug, and the driving place is top-notch, with a fantastic view over the bonnet.
It makes extracting the very best out of the Tonale a extra gratifying expertise.
It’s a comparatively spacious cabin for 4 adults, however you’ll will battle for legroom if you’re carrying tall passengers. It actually wouldn’t be the kind of automobile you’d repeatedly transport 5 passengers round in.
Open the tailgate and also you’ll discover a boot with a claimed 385 litres (500L for the bottom non-plug-in hybrid) of house, below the ground of which sits a space-saver spare. The rear seats fold flat, increasing cargo capability to 1430L (1550L).
| Dimensions | Alfa Romeo Tonale |
|---|---|
| Size | 4522mm |
| Width | 1841mm (2082mm with mirrors) |
| Peak | 1614mm |
| Wheelbase | 2636mm |
| Cargo capability | 385-500L |
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What’s below the bonnet?
The massive story for 2026 is that Alfa Romeo’s engineers have refined the powertrain in response to buyer suggestions. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid methods have been retuned with a refined ‘Hybrid Management Processor’ designed to clean the transitions between petrol and electrical energy.
In case you bear in mind the jerkiness and low-speed hesitation that plagued the previous hybrid – and which CarExpert’s earlier evaluations politely known as “tough and jerky” – that’s precisely what Alfa says it’s mounted.
The Tonale hybrid runs a refined 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt help, making it good for 132kW of energy delivered to the entrance wheels by a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. There’s nonetheless a diesel choice abroad, however don’t maintain your breath for that one right here.
On the top quality sits the plug-in hybrid This autumn, provided in 190hp and 270hp (198kW) tunes. Australians will solely get the top-spec tune. It retains the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine, however is coupled to a revised rear electrical motor delivering correct all-wheel drive.
| Specs | Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-in Hybrid This autumn |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.3L turbocharged 4cyl petrol |
| Engine outputs | 110kW / 270Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 94kW |
| System outputs | 198kW |
| Battery | 15.5kWh lithium-ion |
| Max AC cost fee | 7.4kW (2.5h) |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive (This autumn electrified system) |
| Weight | 1835kg (DIN kerb weight) |
| 0-100 km/h (claimed) | 6.6 seconds |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 3.4-3.7L/100 km (WLTP) |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | Considerably extra as soon as the battery is depleted |
| Electrical driving vary (PHEV) | As much as 61km (WLTP mixed) |
| Gasoline tank capability | 43L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95-octanre premium unleaded |
| CO₂ emissions | 77-83g/km (WLTP) |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6E Bis |
| Braked tow capability | 1250kg |
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How does the Alfa Romeo Tonale drive?
The Italians place the Tonale as the alternative of a pc on wheels – virtually an antidote to the present horde of vehicles that wreck the driving expertise with infinite intrusions. Which is ironic as a result of the car’s flashy presentation in Pisa included plenty of opinion in regards to the Tonale from the corporate’s imaginary synthetic intelligence dubbed ‘Sphere’.
For the report, there isn’t any Sphere, and Alfa doesn’t proclaim to be a technology-led firm, however as an alternative one which makes vehicles for individuals who nonetheless get pleasure from being in management and driving.
Other than different minor driving revisions, the engineers have widened the Tonale’s monitor width (by 7.6mm), which is supported by adaptive suspension damping and what the corporate describes as “probably the most direct steering within the phase”.
We will’t say if that declare is legitimate, however we are able to undoubtedly agree that the steering is impressively sharp and really partaking. Extra partaking than some other automobile we now have examined on this phase.
That makes driving the Tonale a hell of plenty of enjoyable, particularly on twisty mountain roads. To go together with that sharp steering, although, is a reasonably agency journey (even on Italy’s clean roads), which undoubtedly fits the character of the automobile, however when you intend to enterprise out of Australian suburbia, it may very well be a bit of uncomfortable.
If you consider it from Alfa Romeo’s perspective, the Tonale must be totally different. It will possibly’t simply be one other European SUV. As such, the driving dynamics are far sportier than these of its German rivals on the identical worth.
This would definitely restrict its attraction to consumers in search of a soft-riding luxurious SUV with a pleasant badge. Nonetheless, for Alfa to keep up its id and attraction, differentiation is a should.
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Surprisingly sufficient, regardless of the sharp steering and agency journey, the powertrain doesn’t really feel as aggressive because it might. We’d find it irresistible if Alfa gave the Tonale (and all of its fashions) a raspier, extra emotional noise and kit shifting really feel. If you’ll go sporty, go all out.
On the plus facet, the transition between the electrical powertrain and inside combustion engine is now seemingly imperceptible. You wouldn’t know that the Tonale This autumn is a plug-in hybrid except somebody informed you.
We sit up for driving the up to date Tonale on Australian roads early subsequent 12 months to carry you a extra detailed evaluation in native circumstances.
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Is the Alfa Romeo Tonale secure?
The Tonale wears a five-star ANCAP security score, primarily based on testing performed by Euro NCAP in 2022.
This score applies to all Tonale variants at launch, with class scores of 84 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 87 per cent for baby occupant safety, 67 per cent for susceptible street person safety, and 85 per cent for security help.
Security gear consists of:
- 6 airbags
- Adaptive cruise management incl. cease & go
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB), incl. pedestrian and bike owner detection
- Clever velocity help
- Lane preserve help
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
- Reversing digital camera
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Aspect parking sensors
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Lane centring help
- Site visitors Jam Help
| Class | Alfa Romeo Tonale |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 84 |
| Youngster occupant safety | 87 |
| Susceptible street person safety | 67 |
| Security help | 85 |
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How a lot does the Alfa Romeo Tonale price to run?
Aftersales provisions for the up to date mannequin are nonetheless to be confirmed, nonetheless, the main points beneath are believed to be appropriate for the up to date Tonale.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Alfa Romeo Tonale |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, unlimited-km |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 15,000km |
| Common annual service price | 1st service: $500 2nd service: $600 third service: $500 4th service: $1000 fifth service: $500 |
| Complete capped-price service price | $3100 for five years. |
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Alfa Romeo Tonale
There are lots of causes to dismiss the Alfa Romeo Tonale and purchase a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz as an alternative. Lack of a vendor community? Tick. Decrease anticipated residual worth? Tick. No German reliability? It’s a contentious level as of late since, as Alfa says, not solely has it improved nevertheless it now has fewer guarantee claims than its German rivals. We received’t get into that, however regardless, the listing of very legitimate causes goes on.
In reality, no one would suppose twice about questioning your choice to do what most do and purchase German. However then once more, the Tonale isn’t made for many – it’s for the outliers that need to be totally different and have one thing that half the road doesn’t drive.
It’s an Alfa Romeo. It’s meant to have character and Italian aptitude. It’s not excellent, nevertheless it’s a fantastic choice nonetheless. If you would like an Alfa and don’t want all this house, purchase a Junior as an alternative. Nonetheless, if the Tonale is the way in which you go, you wont be upset.
The one recommendation we now have if you’re enthusiastic about one is to discount exhausting for a deal, as a result of Alfa and the Stellantis group as a complete appears to like doing massive reductions and drive-away offers in Australia – so that you undoubtedly don’t need to be the one which paid full whack.
To see how the Alfa Romeo Tonale strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
MORE: Discover the Alfa Romeo Tonale showroom
