2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce EAWD test drive review

If owning a sporty, Italian vehicle has long been on your bucket list but not in your budget, then this might be your lucky day. Alfa Romeo, the luxe Italian sports car brand, has entered the electrified market at a price point that’s surprisingly attainable. The company’s new plug-in hybrid Tonale is sure to become a favorite go-to among shoppers in the compact crossover SUV segment. Initially, you’ll be drawn in by its looks, and then you’ll happily learn that it’s got some substance to boot.

But is it worth nearly $59K for the decked out, top-tier trim? KSL Cars took the new 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale for a weeklong drive (including on a 7-hour road trip) to find out.

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Price and value 

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale comes in three different trims, with an MSRP range of $42,995 for the base level Sprint to $49,695 for the top level Veloce. Some of the major differences among the different trim levels are noted below.

• Sprint: $42,995

Silver 18-inch alloy wheels

10.25-inch touch screen

6-speaker sound system

• Ti: $45,655

Black diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels

Aluminum interior trim

Ambient interior lighting

• Veloce: $49,695

Diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels

Adaptive suspension

12-speaker Harman-Kardon sound system available

Our Veloce tester came with the Premium Interior Sound Package, the Active Assist Advanced Package, 20-inch wheels, a power moonroof and the Verde Fangio Metallic paint color, which brought the grand total to $58,990. Some of these features, such as ventilated seats and a surround-view camera system, are nice to have so they may be worth the price. The Verde color tacks on $2,200, but it’ll greatly boost curb appeal and is worth considering. 

If $59K seems a little too rich for your blood, many car enthusiasts agree that the Ti trim is a more than suitable alternative to the Veloce. You still get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting and a power liftgate. Shop Alfa Romeo models.

Performance 

The Tonale posts some decently impressive numbers for a compact crossover SUV, but it’s still far from being an Italian sports car in terms of performance.

Engine and drivetrain

No matter the trim, this plug-in hybrid has a turbo 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor that makes 285 horsepower combined. You also get a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Keep this puppy charged up to take advantage of its pep and torque and you won’t be bored on the road.

Fuel economy 

The Environmental Protection Agency gives the Tonale a 77 mpg-equivalent rating. You can expect around 32 miles of all-electric range and 29 mpg combined.

Acceleration and handling

Accelerating in the Tonale was definitely the fun part. The electric and gas powered engine combine to produce a best-in-class horsepower of 285 and 350 pound-feet of torque. So yeah, punching it off the line is a thrill. And yet, it’s important to note that the Tonale isn’t quite as punchy when it gets up to speed, so you’ll have to temper your expectations accordingly. Still, a 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.0 seconds is nothing to sneeze at.

Braking 

The Tonale has some unique bragging rights in the braking category. According to Stellantis, it's the only vehicle in its class to feature an integrated brake system. By integrating electronics and mechanics, you get an optimal braking system with an instantaneous response. And they were responsive! The Brembo calipers definitely made a difference.

Interior comfort and convenience 

We had the unique opportunity to take the Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce on a 7-hour road trip through two states, so we quickly became familiar with all the interior comforts and convenience features. Though we think it’s better suited for trips close to home, the Tonale delivered us safely and fairly comfortably to our destination.

Seats 

The 8-way power adjustable driver seat and front passenger seat were a godsend on the long drive, and we appreciated that they were heated and ventilated, as well, when the temperature fluctuated. Overall, the seats were supportive and decently comfortable, and the perforated leather upholstery also gave off a luxurious vibe to the interior. The Tonale has seating for five passengers, but the second row is best suited for two adults or three kids. If passengers are tall, they may find headspace slightly lacking in the back.

Climate control 

Through sunshine, heavy rain and various temperatures, we never struggled to optimize the Tonale’s temperature, thanks to the climate control system. The physical buttons accompanying the touch screen controls were especially helpful for easy access.

Cargo space and cabin storage 

With the rear seats up, you get 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the back. Put them down and that increases to 50.5 cubic feet. That’s not bad for a compact crossover SUV.

Infotainment system 

Our Veloce tester came with a 12.3-inch full color digital gauge cluster, a 10.25-inch touch screen, a wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Uconnect 5 software system was user friendly and very familiar, since it’s the same system you’ll find on many other Stellantis vehicles. It was responsive, reliable and customizable, which should make drivers happy. Shop Alfa Romeo models.

Exterior appearance and functionality 

The Alfa Romeo Tonale comes in six different colors, but if you really want to turn some heads, we highly recommend the Verde Fangio Metallic paint. This deep emerald green was so stunning that people couldn’t help but stare wherever we went. The color alone enticed our neighbors to come over and ask for a ride. Thankfully, the Tonale isn’t just a beautiful car. It’s got a decent personality, too.

Wheels

It’s no secret that many electric and hybrid cars often feature funky-looking wheels, all for the sake of aerodynamics. A nice thing about the Tonale is that the 20-inch, five-hole wheels on the Veloce trim manage to be both stylish and good for your electric range. The red brake caliper also provides a nice visual contrast to the design.

Lights and turn signals

We’re not sure if it was intentional, but the headlights integrate with the famous Alfa Romeo V Scudetto grille in the front to give the Tonale a smart, bird of prey appearance. Not only was this feature physically attractive, but we can report that the LED, matrix style headlamps did an excellent job of illuminating dark, backcountry roads when we were driving home late at night. 

The sequential turn signals were another nice touch that made us feel as if we were driving a car well above this price point.

Front and rear windshield 

Front windshield visibility was good and the rain-sensitive windshield wipers certainly came in handy when we found ourselves caught in a downpour. Out the back, the view is more limited. Luckily, the 360-degree camera system mitigates this.

Cameras and side mirrors 

As mentioned, there’s not as much visibility out the back, but that’s where the camera system comes in handy. The side mirrors include blind spot detection, which is always a helpful — we’d even say crucial — safety feature. But our favorite part of the side mirror was Alfa Romeo’s nod to the Italian flag: a thin red, white and green stripe embedded on the outside. Pretty!

Safety

Drivers should be pretty pleased with the assortment of safety features Alfa Romeo put in the Tonale. These included:

• Enhanced adaptive cruise control

• Forward collision warning with full stop

• Lane-keep assist

• Blind spot and cross-path detection

• Traffic sign recognition

• Driver attention alert

• ParkSense front and rear park-assist system

• ParView rear backup camera

Awards and ratings 

As of this writing, the Alfa Romeo Tonale hasn’t received a safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Shop Alfa Romeo models.

Final impression 

The Tonale didn’t blow our minds, but it had enough impressive features to maintain a spot on our “maybe someday” list of cars — provided we can snag one in that eye-catching Verde Fangio Metallic paint. Looks aside, we give Alfa Romeo credit for this little plug-in hybrid’s zippyness, smart tech and pretty decent electric range. 

And with a base MSRP of $47,495, it’s not outlandishly priced. If you’ve got a short commute and want to maximize that all-electric range — and you also have a penchant for pretty cars — this might be the perfect ride for you. Shop Alfa Romeo models on KSL Cars.

FAQs

How long does it take to charge the Alfa Romeo Tonale? 

Per the manufacturer’s website, a Level 1 charger will bring it up to full power in just over 8 hours. With a Level 2 charger, the time cuts down to about 2.5 hours. If you decide to install a Level 2 charger in your home for your Tonale, Alfa Romeo has partnered with Qmerit to make this as simple as possible. 

What is the all-electric range on the Tonale?

It’s estimated you’ll get about 32 miles of range on a single electric charge. When combined with the gas engine, the total climbs to 360 miles.

Is the Tonale eligible for a tax credit?

If you lease the Alfa Romeo Tonale, you may be eligible for up to a $7,500 tax incentive through a Stellantis preferred lender. Depending on where you live, there may be other state and local incentives available. 

If you’re anxious to get behind the wheel of the new 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce, or any other plug-in hybrid vehicle, keep your eyes peeled on KSL Cars. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Create a Saved Search and you’ll be notified as soon as one is listed.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.