2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale places character first

Alfa Romeo’s attempting to determine the place it exists within the present world order, and the Tonale is the newest piece of the puzzle

The 2024 Alfa Tonale is a plug-in hybrid that takes purpose on the luxurious class although it rides on extra pedestrian bones. With an elegant design, usable electric-only driving vary, and a cushty inside, it largely pulls off that nifty trick—although some drivetrain tweaks are so as.

With a TCC Ranking of seven.0 out of 10 the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale bests fairly a number of of its rivals, nevertheless it wants a extra highly effective electrical motor, it’s costly, and its transmission hangs.

Listed below are the professionals and cons of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale after spending per week placing it via the paces of household life.

Professional: Alfa Romeo Tonale options usable electrical driving vary

The Alfa Romeo Tonale solely comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain with EPA scores of 77 MPGe, 29 mpg mixed, and 33 miles of electrical driving vary. The 33 miles of electrical driving vary proved to be about correct in my real-world blended suburban testing regardless of the Minnesota winter chilly. Utilizing the accelerator gently in metropolis driving would possibly eke out greater than 33 miles of electrical vary, saving customers actual cash on the pump on a weekly foundation.

Con: Alfa Romeo Tonale’s transmission hangs

When the 180-hp 1.3-liter turbo-4 does kick in it pairs with a 6-speed automated fairly than an 8-speed. The 6-speed shouldn’t be solely down on gears in comparison with almost each trendy car on sale in the present day, nevertheless it constantly will get hung up on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts each time. It’s annoying, jerky, and one thing that ought to’ve been mounted with a software program flash earlier than even coming into manufacturing.

Professional: Alfa Romeo seems terrific

If there’s one factor Alfa Romeo does effectively it’s execute a good-looking but easy design that doesn’t depend on flashy bits. Alfa’s trademark curves are all right here, although the shape issue’s smaller, so the shrunken proportions make the Tonale look stubbier than the bigger Stelvio. The “Scudetto” triangular grille flanked by slim headlights makes it identified that is an Alfa. Inside there’s a definite lack of shiny piano black plastic, and the beginning button is mounted on the steering wheel like all trendy Alfas. The digital gauge cluster even incorporates a throwback design with old-school needles and a cost/energy mild when within the Superior Effectivity drive mode.

Con: Alfa Romeo Tonale wants stronger electrical motor

The tubo-4 is paired with a 121-hp and 184 lb-ft of torque electrical motor mounted on the rear axle with no direct connection to the fuel engine or entrance finish. In electrical solely mode the Tonale is rear-wheel drive. The problem is available in that the electrical motor doesn’t make sufficient energy to maneuver the Tonale out of its personal method when wanted. Even when in Superior Effectivity mode, which theoretically retains the powertrain in electrical energy if attainable, the fuel engine will kick in if the accelerator is pushed previous a sure level, which isn’t terribly far in its journey. The Tonale might be stored in electric-only mode, nevertheless it takes fascinated with it. Merging onto the freeway, and even pulling away from a stoplight can kick on the fuel motor immediately if an excessive amount of throttle is utilized. 

Professional: Alfa Romeo Tonale delivers good house

Regardless of its dimension the Tonale is comfy for 4 individuals. 5 might be tight however work in a pinch. At 5-foot-10 I might sit within the second row, with the entrance seat set in my greatest driving place. The youngsters by no means complained as soon as about house like they do in a Jeep Compass. With 38.0 inches of legroom within the again the Tonale truly has extra second-row house than the bigger Stelvio, all as a consequence of packaging of a simpler suspension system and fewer dash-to-axle ratio. The entrance seats of my loaded Veloce tester had been comfy, supportive, and regarded like a smaller model of the setup within the bigger Stelvio. Bear hugs for all. The helpful 20.9-cubic-foot cargo maintain simply swallowed items from my daughter’s celebration. 

Con: Alfa Romeo Tonale prices an excessive amount of

The Tonale begins from $44,590 together with a $1,595 vacation spot cost, and that nets heated fabric seats and a heated steering wheel. My loaded Veloce tester price a surprising $57,450 and featured massive metallic column-mounted paddle shifters, 8-way energy entrance seats, and 19-inch trademark Alfa wheels. That’s critical Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class territory,, and this Alfa isn’t almost as giant or good inside, nor does it have the loyal model following to demand that value. A nicer Volvo XC40 prices much less throughout the board. 

It’s clear Alfa Romeo’s future automobiles will retain its fairly design language, however much less clear if the automaker could make a strong case for why somebody wants to decide on it over the competitors. Many of the items are right here, simply ready for a fine-tuning on the gearbox—and on the value.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce EAWD

Base value: $44,590, together with $1,595 vacation spot

Value as examined: $57,450

Powertrain: 285-hp plug-in hybrid, 6-speed automated transmission, AWD

EPA gasoline economic system: 29 mpg mixed, 33 miles electrical vary

The professionals: Fairly design, good supplies, actual electrical vary

The cons: Weak electrical motor, prices an excessive amount of, transmission hangs