2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale new car review

This stylish small SUV has head turning looks, fuel-saving technology and an attractive cabin but it is missing one element that the maker is famous for.

2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce

Alfa Romeo is the latest brand to enter the small SUV market with its Tonale. Here are five things you need to know.

It’s the cheapest Alfa Romeo

The Tonale line-up starts at about $56,000 drive-away for the Ti variant and jumps to about $65,000 for the better equipped Veloce version we tested.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce is the brand’s cheapest car.

That pricing gives potential customers a relatively affordable foothold in the luxury SUV market and compares favourably to rivals such as the Volvo XC40, Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

There is also a plug-in hybrid version of the Veloce that commands a $20,000 premium over the standard version.

Servicing is dear, costing more than $3600 for five years of scheduled servicing.

It’s got Italian style

The Tonale shares its mechanical underpinnings with the Jeep Compass but it’s dressed in a smart fitting Italian suit.

It is one of the best looking SUVs on the road.

Looks are subjective but it would be hard for anyone to dislike the Tonale’s style, especially in the Montreal Green of our test vehicle.

It’s a svelte SUV with crisp lines and curves in all the right places.

Alfa’s signature V shaped grille combined with LED headlights help it stand out from the drab SUV crowd.

Base Ti versions have 18-inch alloy wheels and the Veloce has 19-inch rims.

There are some nice touches on the Ti such as the little Italian flag on the gloss black side mirrors and Ti badging on the fenders.

Veloce versions add some sporty appeal with red Brembo brake calipers and a dark grey body kit and grille.

It’s turbopetrol engine is fuel efficient.

Not all hybrids are created equal

There are three forms of hybrid tech used in modern machines.

Plug-in hybrids have a decent sized battery and potent electric motor that allow them to be driven on pure electric power or a combination of petrol and electric grunt.

Standard hybrids such as those in Toyotas blend electric power and petrol to reduce fuel use dramatically and mild hybrids use a 48-volt set-up that powers the starter motor and other electrical functions with minimal fuel savings.

The Tonale falls into the latter category but its motor does use its modest outputs to drive the wheels.

Claimed fuel use from the thrifty 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine is excellent at 5.6L/100km.

It doesn’t live up to the Alfa Romeo drive experience.

It’s so-so to drive

Alfa Romeos are usually known for their athletic and engaging driving character.

The Tonale turbo’s 118kW and 240Nm outputs don’t quite live up to the potent thrust of Alfa’s bigger and more expensive offerings.

Quick and light steering inspires confidence through corners, while firmish suspension delivers good body control.

The drawback is a rougher than expected drive around town, where it crashes over bumps of all sizes.

The seven-speed dual-clutch auto can hesitate when shifting at lower speeds.

The cabin has plenty of standard features.

It’s reasonably well equipped

The base model has cloth and faux-leather upholstery and manually adjustable front seats, but the Veloce ups the ante with faux-leather and suede seats with contrast red stitching that extends to the doors and centre console.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel fits snugly in your hands and the red starter button and aluminium pedals adds a sporty touch to the cabin.

There is a 10.25-inch central display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Satnav is standard, as is a fully digital driver display.

Four USB ports are complemented by a wireless device charging pad and a six-speaker stereo can be upgraded to a 14-speaker Harman Kardon unit for a cost.

Originally published as 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale new car review