Alfa Romeo Tonale: Alfa Romeo rejuvenates its compact crossover through an exciting and turbocharged engine, which now provides a sportier ride and a lighter price.
If emotion could sell cars, the Alfa Romeo showrooms would be overflowing. But, in actual life, buyers think of a lot more things than just that; they will think of practicality, how feasible it is value-wise, and how much of daily use it can put up with: So, Alfa is changing. And with the coming 2025 Tonale Turbo, the brand is proving that one can have function without sacrificing flair.
The Tonale is an important inaugural initiative of its kind by Alfa Romeo in the compact luxury SUV domain. An enormous leap from the rear-wheel Giulia sedan, the Italian builder has not left it at all; it attempts to redefine their basis now.
Turbo Difference
In other words, to put it this way, the hybrid Tonale was a bit gluttonous, with the result that some of its intrinsic sportiness was dulled, but it could still be considered fun and efficient, perhaps a little under that, worth 4291 lbs. Now, a new engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that creates 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, transmitted through a new 9-speed automatic and all-wheel drive-is available for the base model.
This amounts to about 15 fewer horses on the road than the hybrid, but an almost 453-pound loss in curb weight, totaling 3838 lbs. The result? Staggeringly close acceleration to the hybrid variant, the whisper at 0-60 m.p.h. in 5.6 s and a quarter-mile in 14.3 at 96.
It may also prove that it is not better in every way: longer distance now-170 feet versus 165 for the hybrid-to stop from 70 m.p.h. And thirstier, too, with EPA ratings of 24 combined, 21 city, and 29 highway. The good news: a marginally larger 13.5-gallon gas tank.
Around Town and On the Road
The turbo Tonale displays a few hiccups around town. Now and then, the transmission stutters while shifting from reverse into drive; sometimes the throttle response feels abrupt thanks to the turbo lag and the refusal to shift at lower speeds. Taking off feels like trying to rein in an excited puppy darting after his food.
But after that, when you are up to full speed, things settle down: The turbo engine provides constant torque across the rev range, twin-scroll design, and the transmission finds an even rhythm to make quick, confident gear changes on passing maneuvers. The time between 30 and 50 mph is 3.3 seconds, and 50 to 70 mph is just 4.3.
Handling and Feel
Less weight, more agility, more light. The most surprising thing about it is how relaxed, yet playful, the vehicle is in Sport mode with its adaptive dampers engaged. Steering has more feel than one might expect, then the AWD system, aided by brake-based torque vectoring, keeps things tidy. Even on Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires, the Tonsale lapped 0.87g on the skidpad.
Features, Pricing, and My Take
$38,530 is the starting price, and this is the least you get with a Tonale; heated and power-adjustable front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a complete set of driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, etc. The Veloce package ($1,000) enhances the style somewhat with adaptive dampers, aluminum paddle shifters, and larger brakes.
Compared to the plug-in hybrid, the turbo version saves you an additional $10,000 before options. And the only thing that cost-cutting takes away is the laser focus on the essentials; the latter was just made a little more fun.
Alfa Romeo Tonale 2025 2.0T Spec Sheet
- Segment Vehicle: Crossover, carry-all vehicle, built front-engine, front-passenger configuration of four, along with a four-door all-wheel drive.
- MSRP base: $38,530. Price as tested: $48,130.
- A 2.0 L, I-4 Turbo with about 268 hp/5000 rpm and 295 lb-ft/3000 engine makes for a sporty couple.
- The transmission is a 9-speed automatic.
- Acceleration:
- 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.
- The quarter mile: 14.3 seconds @ 96 mph.
- 30-50 in 3.3 s.
- 50-70 in 4.3 seconds.
- 70 mph braking distance: 170 feet.
- Economy: 21 city/29 highway/24 combined.
- Weight Curb: 3848 lb.
- G-Force for Skidpad: 0.87 g.
Options Included in the Test Vehicle:
- 20 wheels: $2000.
- Premium Package: $2000.
- Moon Roof: $1400.
- Harman/Kardon sound: $1000.
- Veloce Package: $1000.
Conclusion: Alfa Romeo Tonale
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Turbo is an exhilarating new amalgamation of performance, practicality, and price. Its new 2.0-liter turbo engine adds driving verve and creates an agile character without much compromise in style or luxury. Although fussy at low speeds, the turbo Tonale remains an attractive choice for anyone who wants an Italian flavor in a sporty compact SUV. But for those who want a more spirited soul and a cheap plug-in premium, this is the farthest Alfa has come in making such an endeavor entertaining.