2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale

Italian favorite Alfa Romeo takes two in 2025 with a second version of its compact Tonale, a five-door crossover that arrived in the U.S. in the fall 0f 2023 as a 2024 model.  

During its maiden voyage, the scrappy Tonale debited as a plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV), an electrified version supplying an impressive 33 miles of all-electric travel before the on-board four-cylinder turbo engine takes charge, adding another 287 miles of travel.  

In 2025, Alpha Romeo welcomes aboard a lower-priced, lighter-weight, gas-exclusive Tonale stablemate to the family. The spry internal combustion engine (ICE) compact settles in as the most affordable option here in the states within the Alfa Romeo lineup. All feature Midwest-friendly all-wheel drive standard. The general public got their first glance of Tonale as a concept vehicle way back in 2019. 

Think of Tonale as a diminutive compact or large subcompact; a nice around-town sized option. Alfa Romeo offers a smaller Junior model in Europe slotting in as a true subcompact below Tonale. With few subcompact offerings here in the States from the traditional American automotive brands, Alfa Romeo should consider inviting Junior over Stateside enhancing increased dealership traffic.  

The 2025 Tonale ICE version simplifies the buying process with one basic trim and three mix-and-match option packages (Veloce, Active Assist and Premium) and a smattering of a-la-carte opportunities (moonroof, upgraded audio system, etc.) helping to speed along dealership interactions. In addition, all 2025 Alfa Romeo models sold in the U.S. (Stelvio, Tonale, Giulia) offer an Intensa special series/trim for a few extra Lira (with Tonale Intensa starting at $44,495 U.S. dollars after monetary conversion).  

Consider pricing at a premium for this posh European nameplate as our tester included a starting price of $36,495. After adding in about $10,000 worth of extras including a rather hefty $1,995 destination charge, the bottom line settled at $46,625.  

Other extras of note include the power moonroof ($1,000), eye-catching premium wheels ($2,000) aforementioned Premium Package with power hands-free liftgate, leather trimmed seats with contrasting golden stitching and ventilated front seats ($2,000). The Veloce Package adds: upgraded door sills, dual mode activated suspension (comfort and sport), aluminum steering column-mounted paddle shifters and gloss-red brake calipers costing an extra $1,000.  

Another extra of note, the eye-popping rosso red exterior premium paint, added $695. Many premium European brands bump up pricing $3,000, sometimes $5,000 when choosing a premium hue, so the restraint expressed here remains greatly appreciated.  

The sole Tonale ICE powertrain, a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged four delivers an impressive 268 horses and teams with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The experience never felt underpowered during our week together with satisfactory acceleration although the vehicle s overall handling through hairpin curves felt underwhelming. The all-wheel drive format automatically sends up to 50 percent of the power back to the rear axle when sensors dictate.  

The twist-cap-free, self-sealing fuel lead recommends premium-octane fuel for peak performance when refilling the rather diminutive 13.5-gallon tank. The 21 miles per gallon city and 29 mpg highway rates as acceptable, but several compact crossover competitors offer better results.  

The digital instrument panel includes two large, deep-set orbs resembling a pair of oversized binoculars peering out and back towards the driver. Multiple views and options choose from a three-o-clock steering wheel wing by pushing an iconed button and selecting from multiple panels via a thumb scroll. This plank also includes sound system volume control (also monitored by the silver scroll) and station select buttons. The nine o clock wing primarily handles cruise control functions.  

The electronic push-button engine ignition start/stop circular button also resides on the steering wheel itself; a premier location where the ignition works in harmony with the wheel rather than the steering wheel serving as an obstruction. Too often this electronic power button locates on the dash inconveniently obstructed by the steering column. Alfa Romeo stands as one of the few automakers with this premier whereabouts.  

Leather-trimmed front buckets provide ideal heights to comfortably exit and enter the vehicle; not too low or high, just the ideal Goldilocks positioning. The shotgun spouse with mobility issues found the egress/ingress process effortless. While on the road for three straight hours, well-padded seats provided minimum lower back fatigue. Row two includes manually-folding backrests promoting a 60/40 split. Smaller-width rear doors create a limited entry way for longer legged riders. Two adults fit with optimal comfort within the confines of row two.  

A medium sized 10-3-inch multi-purpose rectangular touch screen stands proud on the top of a center dash brim boasting the latest Uconnect 5 software and pairs with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen mimics a traditional living room flat screen TV, only smaller. A lower vertical, wireless Smartphone charger allows participating Smartphones to rest upright for easy viewing by the driver. Also, both Type A and C plug ports reside near this charger when nothing but a plug will do.  

Manually-adjusting circular air vents flank the ends of the dash while long, rectangular versions in the middle slide under the multi-function screen with the red hazard button in between. Below the center vents, a row of a dozen push buttons commanding HVAC requests including the dual temperature zones up front and the front/rear defroster buttons. The flat multi-function touch screen incorporates the sound system and navigation, and secondary HVAC options this time with visual accompaniments.  

Ambient interior light programing also commands through the touch screen through the settings icon. A half-dozen color selections backlight horizontal acreage of the upper dash. The touch screen offers bold, crisp lighting and an intuitive layout creating easy paths to finding what s needed.  

A silver, rolling, tactile scroll positions right of the automatic transmission shifter between front bucket seats adjusting volume and turning the sound system on and off with a downward push. It s far away from the center-mounted touch screen and drivers may wish employing secondary steering wheel buttons for easier audio adjusting. It resides just fore of the electronic parking brake tab.  

The tri-spoke steering wheel s gaudy pair of brushed aluminum, finger-friendly manumatic transmission paddle shifters (part of the Veloce Package) need a size reduction as their girth interferes with everyday handling of the manually-adjusting, heated steering wheel. While these steering wheel-mounted shifters manually guide the automatic transmission shift points early or late without a foot clutch, their sheer size clutters up the already busy steering column. Better to use the manumatic option built into the nine-speed transmission shifter between the bucket seats.  

A circular mode selector just left of the dozen push buttons offers drivers three suspension selections crafted as DNA. The D signifies dynamic offering a sharp steering response and power delivery. The N denotes Natural, the middle-of-the-road selection while A prompts Advanced Efficiency prioritizing fuel economy.  

All three Alfa Romeo models sold in America share a unique, identical front end with a long tri-angular, center nose resembling an elongated, stretched, heart-shaped letter V flanked by two large black air dams along the bottom. Alfa markets this central focus, vertical-like nose as the V Shield. Narrow, stretched LED-style daytime running lights sport a tri-wave theme (a 3 +3 design), doubling as amber turn signal blinkers when called upon. A bejeweled bulb in the outboard wave serves as the LED headlight. In the back as the sun sets, a red neon-like light bar travels east to west across the liftback door and connects up with red tri-wave taillights.  

A power moonroof covers the front row region with a black color contrast to the primary body color. Circular wheel wells frame with a black contrast also extending below all four side doors. Sideview mirrors also post the black hue. During our time together, multiple passersby commented upon the unique 20-inch Grigio five-hole wheel design. Strap-like body-colored openers share body color.  

The prominent upfront V nose, steering wheel, lower liftback, all four wheels and wireless Smartphone charging block all display the company s circular logo, incorporating imagery seemingly summoned from a quirky ME TV Son of Svengoolie writer s room; a devilish snake devouring a helpless and hapless human (a references to Italy s deeply historical Visconti Family) juxtaposed with a revered red cross (representing Milan Italy, the company s home town). This logo, more than a century in use, gained approval without an army of focus groups or multiple peer reviews.  

In 2024, Alfa Romeo sold 8,857 vehicles in the U.S., down 18 percent from the previous year. Europe boasts stronger sales in part to the availability of the tiny Junior crossover. Five Alfa Romeo dealerships dot the Chicagoland Metroscape including: Alfa Romeo of Chicago, Alfa Romeo of Naperville, Alfa Romeo of Schaumburg, Alfa Romeo of Glenview and Joe Rizza Alfa Romeo in Orland Park.  

The 115-year-old Alfa Romeo brand joins 13 additional nameplates within the multi-national parent company Stellantis umbrella formed in 2021 with the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and French Automaker Peugeot S.A. Stellantis Latin roots loosely translate into English as brighten with stars.  

Fiat Chrysler Automobile brought along such notable names as Dodge, Ram Trucks, Jeep, Dodge, Maserati and Alfa Romeo to the table while Peugeot s strong European presence added Citroen, Opel and Vauxhall to the mix. The 2025 Tonale shares many components and a compact unibody (car-like) undercarriage platform with the newly introduced Dodge Hornet crossover.  

2025 Alfo Romeo Tonale Veloce 

Price as tested: $46,625 

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbo 

Horsepower: 268 

Torque: 295 lb.-ft.  

Wheelbase: 103.8 inches 

Overall Length: 178.3 inches 

Overall Width: 82.0 inches 

Overall Height: 63.2 inches 

Curb weight: 3,715 pounds 

Powertrain warranty: Four years/50,000 miles  

Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city/ 29 mpg highway 

Assembly: Pomigliano, Italy