Alfa Romeo Tonale 2027: Italian marque addresses compact SUV’s niggles to compete with BMW X1 and Cupra Formentor

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Alfa Romeo has updated its Tonale as it hopes to increase Australian sales beyond what has, to date, proven a trickle for the marque’s first-ever small SUV.

Making a big deal of getting “the right car for the right customer at the right time”, the entry-level Ti trim level has been junked, leaving only the higher-grade Veloce. 

The ‘Lusso’ package is now standard, as Alfa Romeo reduces variables, and therefore lead times, in its supply chain. This means heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, electrically adjustable front seats and leather upholstery are on the house.

Starting at $64,990 before on-roads, the Tonale undercuts the BMW X1 ($67,500 before on-roads) but not the Cupra Formentor ($53,990 driveaway nationwide).

As before, the Tonale pairs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with either a Toyota-style self-charging hybrid system or a plug-in hybrid system.

The Tonale Ibrida (the Italian word for ‘hybrid’ is used) is a 48-volt system, though impressively for a 48V, the car can drive on the electric motor alone at low speeds, like a conventional hybrid.

Outputs are 128kW and 240Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds. Claimed fuel consumption is 5.4L/100km, with claimed emissions of 123g/km.

The Ibrida Q4 is a plug-in hybrid with a second electric motor powering the rear axle, delivering all-wheel drive. Alfa Romeo claims an electric-only range of 54km. 

Outputs are 198kW and 270Nm, with 0-100km/h seen off in 6.6 seconds. Fuel figures dive to 1.7L/100km and 39g/km claimed.

Curiously, the conventional hybrid has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the plug-in hybrid has a six-speed conventional auto.

Alfa Romeo has conceded that the pre-updated Tonale had a jerky and abrupt powertrain that, though fun, made stop-start commuting a chore. Extensive work has gone into making acceleration smoother and more consistent for the update, even with a flat battery.

The track has been widened 8.0mm front and rear, to the likely benefit of handling.

In something very out of character for Alfa Romeo, there’s been thoughtful changes to the interior. The wireless phone charger is ventilated now, and a prominent design flaw on the steering wheel has been corrected – a roller switch controls volume and buttons change tracks, not the other way around.

Ambient lighting is now standard, and a rotary dial replaces the gear lever.

On the self-charging hybrid, a limited edition is available. The Sport Speciale brings unique 20-inch wheels, Ice Grey bodykit inserts, Alcantara and leather seats, Ice Grey stitching and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The Sport Speciale also has ‘Biscione’ ambient lights that supposedly mimic snakeskin.

Last but not least, Australia-bound Tonales will not follow Europe in moving the front numberplate to the middle – it will stay offset as is tradition.

However, Chasing Cars has spoken to an Alfista, and there is some consensus that right-hook Tonales have the plate on the wrong side: the driver’s side, not the kerbside.

The updated Tonale is already in showrooms.

2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Tonale Veloce: $64,990
• Tonale Sport Speciale: $69,990
• Tonale Veloce Q4 (PHEV): $78,990