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We're told that the Tonale crossover is heart and soul Alfa from the ground up, building on the Milanese maker's DNA of sportiness that stretches all the way back to 1910. That's not quite true, but the Tonale does bring a dash of latin colour to the segment for posh premium small SUVs, especially in this updated Plug-in Hybrid form.
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Background
Back in 2023, the Tonale Plug-In marked the beginning of a new electrified Alfa Romeo era, which subsequently gathered pace with the compact Junior EV. The Junior's now Alfa's best seller, but it can't offer the PHEV system of this top Tonale, a set-up that quite a few customers at the premium end of the compact crossover segment want these days.
With this mid-term Tonale update announced in Autumn 2025, this top Plug-in Hybrid variant (now called the Q4 Ibrida Plug-In) loses a little power but gains a smarter look, both inside and out. Though it's still based on the engineering of a rather clunky old-shape Jeep Compass. Might you potentially want to stretch 'Alfisti' values to embrace the idea of this part-electrified fashion-led small Crossover? Let's see.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 45000 | 50000 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 29 | 29 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 128 | 128 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 6.2 | 6.2 |
| Min | Max |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 37 | 37 |
| Length (mm) | 4528 | 4528 |
| Width (mm) | 1841 | 1841 |
| Height (mm) | 1601 | 1601 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 385 | 385 |
Driving experience
In years gone by, the alternative to the standard 1.5-litre petrol Hybrid motor in this Tonale would have been one of Alfa's eager Fiat-sourced diesels, but those days are long gone - for our market at least. So we get an expensive petrol Plug-in Hybrid instead, a drivetrain borrowed from a previous generation Jeep Compass but embellished here with a bit of extra power, though not quite as much as this top variant had in pre-facelift form. With this update, thanks to the need for emissions tweaks, total output has fallen from 275hp to 270hp, but of course that makes virtually no impact on performance.
As before, that Jeep derivation is actually welcome because it means that the system includes four wheel drive: most other PHEV Crossover class rivals in this segment remain merely front-driven. As is often the case with this kind of powertrain, the engine part of the equation is still based on pretty aging tech - in this case a 1.3-litre Fiat MultiAir petrol unit originally developed for turn-of-the-century Fiat Punto and Tipo hatches that now lie rusting in junkyards.
The rest of it's pretty clever though. This engine supplies most of its power to drive the front wheels and is aided only when necessary by a 121hp electric motor mounted on the rear axle, creating a very different kind of 4WD system to that we've seen on previous 'Q4'-badged Alfas, but nevertheless one that can provide instantaneous deployment of 100 per cent of available torque to either axle.
That electric motor is powered by a 15.5kWh battery pack with a WLTP-rated driving range when fully charged of 37 miles. The Tonale's Plug-in's 128mph top speed is slightly lower than the base model, but the rest to 62mph time looks usefully more rapid at 6.2s, though in practice, the car never actually feels quite that fast, hindered by a lack of low speed torque and the somewhat lethargic responses of the 6-speed auto gearbox you have to have. This is one of those transmissions that flares the revs wildly as soon as you ask it to do anything out of the ordinary, so you quickly learn gentle applications of your right foot and with that approach, the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 feels quite a pleasant companion in day-to-day suburban duties.
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Design and build
You'd have to know the Tonale quite well to recognise the changes made here, but if you do, then you might note the more curvaceous front end, supposed to reference its Junior showroom stablemate. The main 'Scudetto' shield central grille now has horizontal bars and is flanked by revised air intakes supposedly inspired by the exclusive Giulia GTA. There are restyled 19 and 20-inch wheels too. This remains quite an eye-catching design, with three-beam headlights inspired by the brand's classic Zagato SZ and a curved rear screen, which apparently references the company's Bertone Coupe from the 1960s. Size-wise, think BMW X1 or Audi Q3.
Inside, Alfa's tried to upgrade things a little to make the ambiance a touch more premium - nicer materials, contrast dashboard stitching and so on. And the rotary gear selector that arrived for the 2025 model year has been retained. As before, the driver's placed snugly behind the chunky wheel and top variants have beautiful aluminium shift paddles. The screen stuff's as before - a centre dash monitor that's 10.25-inches in size, while the display you view through the wheel is 12.3-inches across and features some neat animations of those lovely '3x3' headlamps.
Back seat space is acceptable by class standards; a six foot rear passenger can just about sit behind an equally lanky front seat occupant. As with most other PHEVs in this segment, this one loses out quite a lot in terms of boot space compared to its more conventionally-engined stablemates. In this case, luggage capacity falls from 500-litres to just 385-litres.
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Market and model
Think pricing comparable to PHEV versions of this car's most obvious three rivals, the BMW X1, the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA. That means a likely price span in the £45,000 to £50,000 bracket, though Alfa has tried to bring the entry-level figure down with a more affordable base level of trim. The line-up's based around 'Ti' and plusher 'Veloce' versions. The 'Ti' has 18-inch wheels, tinted windows and a heated steering wheel. The 'Veloce' adds 19-inch wheels, adaptive-beam headlights and adaptive suspension.
There's a choice of leather and Alcantara interiors, which both feature premium seats with eight-way electrical adjustment in the front, four-way electrical lumbar support, heating and ventilation. While the steering wheel and washer nozzles are also heated. The colour palette for this updated model has expanded to eight shades, with the introduction of three new metallic finishes: Brera Red, Monza Green and Ocra. And you can have a 470-watt Harman Kardon audio system with 14 speakers and subwoofer.
Safety is taken care of by a suite of advanced Level 2 driving assistance systems, including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Path Detection and Driver Attention Monitoring, as well as the traffic sign recognition system with Intelligent Speed Assist and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
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Cost of ownership
This variant's 306-volt 15.5kWh battery can be replenished from a 7.4 kW charger in under two and a half hours and when full delivers up to 37 miles of combined cycle battery range - a figure which now lags behind Teutonic rivals and the premium PHEV segment norm. This PHEV Tonale's readings are officially rated at up to 217.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 29g/km of CO2. Alfa says that the electric range figure would rise to over 49 miles in town and that in combination with its 1.3-litre petrol unit, this Tonale variant could offer up to 372 miles of total range.
With a Plug-in Hybrid Tonale, the 'Advanced Efficiency' D.N.A. drive setting sets the car into full-electric mode and activates an 'E-Coasting' 'Sailing' setting that disconnects the engine when cruising. As usual with PHEVs, there's also an 'E-Save' setting that allows you to save battery charge for when you might need it later in your trip. There's also a downhill coast function that holds 31mph on downhill slopes, charging the battery in the process (and works very well).
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Summary
Like too many of the Milanese maker's models before it, this Tonale falls frustratingly short of perfection, a little more difficult to warm to than its larger Giulia and Stelvio showroom stablemates. That's partly because the DNA of this car is a little less Alfa. And partly because there are a few issues that the brand needs to sort - things you wouldn't find in less charismatic Teutonic rivals. It needs more assertive powertrain response and probably less hyperactive steering. Plus, if it wants to be properly premium, a little more care still needs to be taken in the choice of some elements of interior trim.
Having said all of that, there's so much you might really like here, especially with this improved model. The looks and the cabin are, as advertised, pure Alfa Romeo. The PHEV engineering isn't, but a lot of work's been put in to give it an Alfa feel. Enough work to justify a test drive if you've a sneaking admiration for the Milanese marque? You might think so.
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