Alfa Romeo Tonale vs. Audi Q3: which is better?
The premium Audi Q3 and sporty Alfa Romeo Tonale are put through their paces, but which will come out on top?
Ever since the Alfa Romeo Tonale was launched in 2022, cars like the Audi Q3 have faced even stiffer competition.
The well-established Q3 has built itself a reputation as a high-quality, premium SUV that’s big enough for the family but small enough not to be a problem in towns and cities.
Then there’s the Tonale, which offers a much more engaging driving experience that calls for the open roads.
Continue reading to find out whether you should consider an Audi Q3 vs. Alfa Romeo Tonale as your next set of wheels.
Audi Q3 vs. Alfa Romeo Tonale: which has more style?
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The Alfa Romeo Tonale and Audi Q3 are both incredibly stylish and appealing crossovers, but their design is one key area that separates them.
The Q3 has the more conservative and understated design of the two models and uses clean and simple lines throughout the whole body.
Its large, chrome-finished grille is framed by headlight clusters that have integrated LED daytime running lights, which make this car recognisable as an Audi product.
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There are regular and coupé-like Q3 Sportback models available, but from the front, they both have an upright shape that makes them look slightly bigger than they are, giving all versions of the Q3 plenty of presence on the road.
In comparison, the Alfa Romeo Tonale has a much sleeker, sporty exterior, characterised by a long bonnet that’s typical of non-SUV sports cars.
The signature left by its LED daytime running lights is even more distinctive, leaving those with a view of the Tonale in their rear-view mirror in no doubt that a stylish car is behind them.
What is it like to drive an Audi Q3 vs. Tonale?
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The Audi Q3 is known for its smooth and refined ride quality, and it’s clear that its suspension has been set up to absorb bumps around town.
It’s also a great long-distance cruiser, where the efficient engines and well-insulated cabin make it a relaxing drive.
Steering is precise and responsive, but it’s also light enough to make in-town manoeuvres less of a chore.
Because it shares many mechanical parts with the Audi A3, it benefits from a range of efficient 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrols, plus 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels.
Newer Q3 models are also available with a 245hp plug-in hybrid setup, which can do just over 30 miles on electric power alone under the right circumstances.
On the other hand, the Alfa Romeo Tonale has a much more sporty and dynamic driving experience, which all starts from behind the wheel.
The relatively small steering wheel is responsive and requires less input than some other cars, making it more sharp and engaging to drive on twisting country roads, though it’s still just as happy around town or on the motorway.
Its ride is slightly firmer than the Audi Q3’s, but it still absorbs bumps and potholes well.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol engine that produces 160hp and enjoys to be revved hard.
This is great because if you like to drive enthusiastically, you can do so without living in fear that you have hundreds of horsepower and that you’ll break the speed limit.
There’s also a 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid, which is also found in some Jeep models. With 280hp on tap, it’s good for 0-62mph in a hot hatch-rivalling 6.2 seconds, but it should still be able to do 30-40 miles without its engine with careful acceleration.
The Tonale PHEV plus many versions of the Audi Q3 come with four-wheel drive for added grip in slippery conditions, but lesser-specced models are front-wheel-drive as standard, which helps to save fuel.
Comparison of the Audi Q3 and Alfa Romeo Tonale interior
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The Audi Q3 offers a modern and high-tech interior that’s packed with features but still manages to have a minimalist design.
It has a great infotainment system that controls many of the car’s functionalities and a secondary display in the form of a digital instrument cluster.
Depending on which version you go for, you can expect top-end car tech like wireless phone charging and a high-end sound system.
Popular S line models get sporty styling inside and out plus bright LED headlights and leather upholstery, but the reality is that even entry-level Sport versions get parking sensors, cruise control and plenty more.
The Alfa Romeo’s interior isn’t as advanced as the Audi’s – it has a smaller touchscreen and more of the car’s controls are adjusted with physical controls.
You do get the brand’s popular ‘DNA’ drive mode selector features, which lets drivers choose from sporty and more normal driving modes.
Alfa Romeo Tonale vs. Audi Q3 dimensions and boot space
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With a length of 4,483mm, the Audi Q3 is only slightly longer than an A3 hatchback. It’s 2,024mm wide, including mirrors and 1,616mm tall.
Despite a less chunky look, the Tonale has a bigger footprint, measuring 4,528mm long and 2,082mm wide, including mirrors.
It’s shorter, however (1,601-1,614mm depending on spec), which helps to give it a sportier look.
There isn’t a lot that separates these two in terms of practicality, and the difference between these figures becomes less stark in the real world.
The Q3 has a 530-litre boot, which extends to 1,525 litres with the rear seats folded. The Tonale has a slightly smaller 500-litre boot, but a slightly larger 1,550-litre space overall.
Plug-in hybrid variants of each have less space to accommodate the batteries – they measure 380/1,375 litres (Audi Q3) and 385/1,430 litres (Alfa Romeo Tonale).
Alfa Romeo Tonale vs. Audi Q3 for sale: which is more reliable?
When it comes to reliability, Audi has a better reputation than Alfa Romeo historically, though the gap is quickly closing.
That’s because Audi has been part of the Volkswagen Group for many decades, so it benefits from tried-and-tested technologies from brands like Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda.
Alfa Romeo, which is part of the same group as Jeep, was more recently acquired by Stellantis, the same company that now owns Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall and more, which has helped improve its reputation.
Used Audi Q3 vs. used Alfa Romeo Tonale UK: which should I buy?
Given that the Audi Q3 and Alfa Romeo Tonale are the same size inside and out, the key factor behind your decision should be which you like the most.
Buy the Audi if you value a high-end, premium interior with lots of car tech, but consider the Alfa Romeo if you want a more affordable option that’s fun to drive.