Alfa Romeo Tonale review: more pizzazz than a BMW X1?

Alfa Romeo has long been a brand with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes it desirable to many, but a historical reputation for unreliability and build quality issues has meant its cars were something you would buy with your heart rather than your head. Since Alfa Romeo became part of the Stellantis group of car companies including Fiat, Peugeot, Vauxhall and more, that’s no longer the case, and the brand’s smallest SUV, the Tonale, seeks to offer that Alfa ‘X’ factor to tempt buyers away from rivals such as the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA. But does the Alfa Romeo Tonale have what it takes to become a car you can buy with your heart and your head? Rich finds out.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:35 - Interior & technology
02:55 - Trim levels & specifications
03:44 - Running costs
04:29 - Engines & driving impressions
06:53 - Practicality & boot space
08:53 - Dealmakers & Dealbreakers
09:39 - Verdict

[CubiReviews]

Driving one since May and I love it. It has its typical quirks, but it's just so fun to drive and a real looker. Always brings a smile to my face.

[CANCERIEN]

Received mine yesterday 27th March 24, absolutely loving it.. ❤️
6 months in. Still loving every second in my Alfa, no complains, no issues, superb to drive, a really head turner. 2500 miles already.😊

[pt]

Jeep Compass was based on the Fiat 500L and the 500L was based on Alfa Romeo Giulietta, so in a way it is a real Alfa.

[DarthFurball]

One clarification about the adaptive dampers - in Natural / soft mode, they are actually about 20% more supple than the static Koni FSDs. It's only in Dynamic / sport mode that the stiffness ramps up.

[Ab]

My Alfa is a 147 jtdm 16 v 2003 bought in 2008, still going no issues pass mots this last 10 months did Scotland and who uk wales twice . But I bad boy still have originall timing belt 66 mpg Scotland 55 west
😅

[EdgarRenje]

It's based on the Jeep Compass platform, so if you put a hybrid system in, you lose cargo space in this non-optimized chassis.

[eugenereivillanueva]

The All New Alfa Romeo Tonale was replacement of the Guilietta Hatchback

[michaelstaley]

I have ordered one not the plug in one ..

[digitalpipes]

Mandolin music started to play, and I stopped watching.

[ninjaninja]

carbuyer sucks without Mat Watson. There is no enthusiasm or passion in these reviews. Should have ate your pride and paid Mat what he was worth. 625k subs vs 9 million subs on carwow in like 5 years hope you are regretting it

[bboythorparkour]

As an Italian and owner of a Stelvio, I am ashamed that Alfa has marketed this car

[bojansalmic]

small petrol motor 1, 2 litre in such car ?? crazy, stelantis go away..

[tacfoley]

Aaaaah, 'Ton'ahlay'! Here's me thinking it was called Toenail. I couldn't bear to own a car named after part of the foot. Might think about it now, though.

[marshallluddite]

Just back from Italy and hired an Alfa Tonale my goodness it was Awful and pointless BLOB of a car.... hardly got any electric use, 1.3l petrol engine was awful and uneconomical, car just kept BLEEPING at me due to "over tech" and told me to keep my hands on steering wheel when both hands were on steering wheel.

[ingenfestbrems]

The design comparison between it and mb, bmw, audi, , they just look ugly and have no souls don’t think their designers know what to do these days.

[Lennon]

Yep. You definitely wouldn't get an Italian flag in a BMW.🫣