Finally a hybrid Alfa Romeo. Can the compact Tonale tow? Need an Alfa Tonale towbar? Maximum Tonale towing capacity.

Finally a hybrid Alfa Romeo.  Can the compact Tonale tow?  Need an Alfa Tonale towbar? Maximum Tonale towing capacity.

Alfa's first mild hybrid model, with an electric motor supporting a traditional engine. The Tonale is the smaller of two SUVs in the Alfa Romeo line-up, hoping to compete with the likes of the Q3 and X2.

The Tonale's stylish exterior design does stand out in the world of small SUVs. The start button is mounted on the steering wheel, with a racing car-style prod of the thumb firing the engine as a nice nod to Alfa’s sporting pedigree, and there’s a little Italian flag behind the gear lever to remind you what you’re driving.

Currently only available with hybrid power before the more powerful 4×4 plug-in hybrid is added at the beginning of 2023, the front-wheel drive Tonale combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a very small electric motor to boost efficiency and performance.

The Tonale's cabin definitely feels like an Alfa Romeo. You won’t mistake it for being German, Japanese or South Korean. The design looks and feels like an Alfa Romeo should. Immediately evident on the inside is the dramatic increase in quality over previous Alfa Romeos - a new 10.25-inch touchscreen and widespread use of soft-touch materials give the Tonale car a premium feel. The new touchscreen system looks great and modern, taking Ala into this decade and even more pleasing is that the designers have kept the main climate controls separate from the touchscreen in a long row of accessible buttons.  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted as standard, while connectivity takes a big step up with the ability to link to a home Alexa system, which will enable the driver to check fuel levels, the car’s location and lock or unlock the doors via voice activation from inside their house. 

There is a slick 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, complete with three different appearances, depending on your taste - modern and sporty dials, a more retro set-up, and a pared-back option that is more visible at night. 

You can upgrade the sound system to a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system, which sounds excellent, but the stock system performs pretty well anyway.

Alfa's are supposed to be fast.  The quickest Tonale version, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can sprint from 0-100 in 6.2sec, while the mild-hybrid Tonale takes it easy doing the same acceleration in 8.8sec. 

Alfa Romeo Tonale's entry-level hybrid option has a 158bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine.  The flagship plug-in hybrid (PHEV) delivers a more potent 276bhp by teaming up a 1.3-litre petrol engine that powers the front wheels with a bigger electric motor to propel the rear wheels too.

Whichever version you choose, the Tonale is far more entertaining than the Audi Q3 and Lexus UX down a twisty road, feeling agile and sharper to drive. Body control is excellent, with minimal lean in the corners and very little pitch under braking. The BMW X1 runs it close, but the Tonale’s composure helps it feel like a tall hatchback rather than a bulky SUV.

Both versions of the Tonale have an automatic gearbox, with seven speeds on the Hybrid 160 and six on the PHEV. They shift gears quickly and smoothly, but the mild-hybrid is a little more responsive and eager to shift down a gear when you need a burst of acceleration.

The boot is a good size: 500 litres– bigger than other premium sporty SUVs – and it has a handy split-level arrangement with notches to keep the raised floor at a 45-degree angle while you’re getting at the bits stored below.  The second-row seat folds down in a 60/40 arrangement and there’s a central ski port as well.

With the second row in use, you get only 385L – down from the non-PHEV model as expected – and out to 1430L if you fold the second row down.

Need to carry more or take your bikes along on your next trip?  Why not fit an Invisible Alfa Tonale towbar?  Rated at a max of 1600kgs. 

The Tonale has received a five-star rating from recent Euro NCAP testing, which is a solid result. In that Euro NCAP test, the Tonale scored 83 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 66 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 85 per cent for its safety assistance systems.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is definitely fun to drive, and the interior quality along with the fashionable head-turning looks and efficiency brings a welcome dose of Italian flair to the array of premium small SUV alternatives.

Increase the practicality of your Alfa with our Invisible Tonale towbar.  Order today.