2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale review

When a car company admits in a press conference that the “previous hybrid system wasn’t as seamless as we wanted it to be”, you know the car in question had some issues.

Such was the case with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which launched here in 2023 to less than universal acclaim and has now been treated to some substantial updates for the 2026 year-model.

These include refinements to the hybrid system, a new rotary dial gear shifter, several cosmetic enhancements, and a simplified model range.

But does the refreshed and revised Alfa Romeo Tonale succeed where its predecessor failed? 

How much does the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale cost?

Prices on the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale are higher than equivalent models in the older version, but standard equipment is also more generous.

The Tonale is now offered exclusively in Veloce trim and comes as either a mild hybrid or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The hybrid Veloce Ibrida starts at $64,990 before on-road costs, while the Veloce Ibrida Plug-In Q4 is priced at $78,990 plus on-roads.

Alfa has also flagged a limited edition Tonale, the Sport Speciale, which will start at $69,990 before on-road costs.

The Tonale’s price point sizes it up against a host of luxury small SUV competitors including the BMW X1 ($67,500), Lexus LBX ($47,320), Range Rover Evoque ($85,400), Mercedes-Benz GLA ($64,300), and even the Mini Countryman ($57,490).

The Tonale could also be cross-shopped with the rising number of electric (and electrified) vehicles in this category, anything from the Zeekr X ($48,900) up to the BMW iX1 ($80,600).

What is the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale like inside?

If there’s one thing you can count on from Alfa Romeo, it’s an interior with artistry and flair.

The Tonale combines a ‘circular’ theme (seen in the instrument binnacle, buttons and dials) with flashes of chrome and inserts that convincingly impersonate aluminium. Red stitching highlights the leather upholstery on the dashboard and there’s perforated leather (a tasteful red in the case of our press vehicle) lavished upon the seats. The steering wheel upholstery – which Alfa calls ‘sporty leather’ – could be nicer to the touch, though, feeling a little papery. 

Are the black and silver badges on this updated Tonale an improvement? Individual taste certainly comes into play, but the ‘darker and meaner’ look does mute one of Alfa Romeo’s most distinctive and colourful characteristics. It’s hard to see how that’s a good thing.

Anyway, enough about aesthetics – let’s move on to ergonomics and practicality.

The front seats are wide-backed and bolstered, with good padding. The induction phone charger (now with cooling) is well positioned and USB ports (one A and one C) reside nearby. The row of physical buttons across the lower dashboard is a joy, presenting every air conditioning control you could require with no need to delve into a touchscreen. That said, the digital interface is also excellent – more on that below. 

The optional sunroof’s tinted glass isn’t even enough to filter out Sydney’s early spring sunshine, so if you stump up for one, expect to be driving with it closed from October to March. 

Rear seats are padded generously (albeit lacking some shape) and three kids will fit comfortably across the bench. Head, leg and foot room are good if not exceptional.

Rear seat amenities include two air conditioning vents, one USB-A and one USB-C port, and a reading light apiece. A fold-down armrest offers two drink holders and there’s another tiny drink holder in each door. All the expected top tether and Isofix child restraint points are in evidence.

Head to the boot and you’ll find an almost square (800mm x 950mm) cargo area. It doesn’t look like much, but the space offers a good deal of height, leading to a 500-litre volume with the second row up. Be aware, the PHEV provides substantially less capacity at 385 litres.

Under the boot floor lurks a temporary use spare wheel. 

What equipment does the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale come with?

Many of the 2026 updates and additions involve the Tonale’s external appearance. These include a new grille (inspired by the 1960s Alfa Romeo Stradale) and shorter front bumper overhang, larger air intakes, a straighter overall shape, 19-inch black alloy wheels and a black roof that creates a two-tone effect unless the body colour is also black.

With Veloce trim now the default, the Tonale’s standard features list doesn’t lack much. Included for the price are keyless entry and start, a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, sat nav, digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a ventilated phone charging pad, six-speaker audio system, voice commands, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, eight-way powered front seats with lumbar adjustment, automatic headlights and high beam, rain-sensing wipers and a hands-free tailgate.

The list of optional extras on the Tonale Ibrida entails premium paint ($1990), special paint ($2500), red leather-accented interior ($1000) and a sunroof ($2500). Alfa has introduced three new colour options for 2026: Brera Red, Monza Green and a Sport Speciale exclusive, Giallo Ocra (ochre).

Stumping up $5000 extra for the Sport Speciale delivers a sunroof as standard, 20-inch three-spoke alloy wheels, a body kit, black (rather than red) Brembo brake callipers with ‘Alfa Romeo’ script, Alcantara leather with grey inserts and stitching on the seats and more Alcantara on the dashboard, 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and ‘snake skin’ ambient lighting. It’s worth noting, however, that the Sport Speciale misses out on seat ventilation.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is backed by a five- year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which remains fairly commonplace at the luxury end of the market. 

How safe is the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale?

The updated Alfa Romeo Tonale carries over its five-star ANCAP rating from 2023. Safety equipment on board includes six airbags, a 360-degree camera, front, side and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and driver behaviour warning.

What powers the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale?

Under the bonnet of the mild hybrid Tonale is a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine (117kW/240Nm) working alongside an electric motor (15kW/55Nm). Drive is through the front wheels and managing it all is a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Combined power output is quoted at 128kW.

The Plug-In Q4 is a different prospect altogether, with a 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder engine and a 15.5kWh battery that powers a 90kW electric motor on the rear axle. Combined output is 208kW and it can travel up to 60km (WLTP) on electric power alone. The Plug-In Q4 is all-wheel drive and runs a six-speed transmission. The 0-100km/h time drops from 8.5 seconds in the mild hybrid to just 6.2 in the PHEV. 

What is the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale like to drive?

In an era when some manufacturers are doing away with keys altogether, the Tonale’s chunky and weighty key fob is a marvellously tactile object. It’s really a miniature portent of the car itself, which feels solid and made with attention to detail. Our test vehicle was the mild hybrid Tonale optioned with red leather interior ($1000), premium Alfa Black paint ($1990) and a sunroof ($1990), pushing the price out to nearly $70,000 before on-road costs.

The first practical change you notice in this 2026 update is the rotary dial gear selector, which replaces a traditional gearstick. It’s less intuitive to use, as digital gear selectors tend to be, but it does free up space and give the console a cleaner look.

A separate dial on the lower dashboard houses three ‘DNA’ drive mode settings. D equates to sport, firming up the suspension and keeping revs higher for quicker rolling acceleration. N is the default setting that provides a middle ground with a softer ride and less eager throttle response. A is eco mode, which means maximum fuel savings (5.4L/100km claimed) in exchange for sluggish acceleration. The DNA system is also somewhat customisable, in that you can switch between sports or soft suspension no matter what mode you pick.

Alfa Romeo claims the hybrid system has been refined, “making power delivery more prompt, linear and continuous” and that “transitions between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are now virtually imperceptible”.

Hmm.

It has improved, yes, but the hybrid’s response to anything other than the gentlest throttle input remains unpredictable. The electric motor is only good for rolling forward or creeping off the line; prod the throttle and engine flare with no power or a turbo delay and then a glut of acceleration are equally possible outcomes. Putting the Tonale in ‘D’ mode does make it more eager to accelerate, but then it often feels too jerky in general suburban driving.

Whatever the case, the driver remains keenly aware of the hybrid system going about its business – something rival manufacturers generally manage more effectively. 

Alfa says it increased the front and rear track by 8mm on this upgraded model to improve driving dynamics, but stance is of little consequence when the Tonale is plagued with other issues. The drive-by-wire steering is way too light and fast and feels completely disconnected from the front wheels, meaning accurate input is almost impossible. Combine that with suspension that doesn’t cope with sudden directional changes and you have a car that never quite feels settled or under control.

Fiddling with the various ‘DNA’ settings doesn’t sort that out, either. ‘D’ firms up the ride but just makes the car jittery over rough surfaces without improving its roadholding (and under hard acceleration there’s the telltale squirm of torque steer). The Tonale’s large wheels also give it a turning circle more akin to a bigger SUV, limiting its ‘urban SUV’ credentials. The great irony is that in its regular N setting, the Tonale’s ride is just about perfect for a suburban vehicle.

Other concerns? In recent years Alfa has contracted the ‘safety bing-bongs’ disease, so there’s a loud ding whenever you exceed the (supposed) speed limit or the driver moves his face in some way the car doesn’t like. Of course, you can disable these functions if you dig three levels deep into the touchscreen menus, but the dings will be back every time you switch the car off.

These deficiencies are a shame, because the Tonale has many other things going for it. The cabin is a lovely place to sit day or night and it’s evident the designers put a lot of thought into how it should look, where everything should go, and how it should operate.

Take the Alfa Romeo logo embossed into the wireless phone charger pad. It serves no practical purpose whatsoever, yet it’s the sort of touch that gives a car character and makes it feel unique.

Practicality was a focus in this update, however. The right roller on the steering wheel now controls sound system volume, for example, and Alfa has reintroduced physical buttons for skipping tracks. The touchscreen, while on the smaller side, has a clear and sensible layout and good responsiveness, making it more usable than some larger examples.

In sum, the Alfa Romeo Tonale’s new paddle shifters seem an apt metaphor for the vehicle as a whole: they’re made from real aluminium and wonderful to the touch, but they’re also the size of elephant ears and impede access to the instrument stalks on the steering column. 

Open Road’s take on the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale

If a manufacturer asks consumers to pay the best part of $70,000 after on-road costs for a small SUV, it had better be something special. While the Alfa Romeo Tonale Ibrida delivers on looks and build quality, its sporty demeanour continues to write cheques the hybrid engine and running gear can’t cash.

With pure EV performance and all-wheel drive, the Plug-In Q4 is a different prospect – although for $80,000 on the road, it would want to be.

 

What we liked

• Sumptuous styling inside and out
• Physical buttons and user-friendly touchscreen
• Some genuine improvements over the old model

 What could be better?

• Mild hybrid system still not great
• Steering lacks connection and road feel
• Intrusive safety nannies on a ‘driver’s car’