Alfa Romeo Tonale priced from £38,595 in Britain
Prices are out for Italy’s new hybrid crossover, which comes in three trim levels. Oh, and we’ve driven it!
Barely a few days after we had an exclusive UK first drive in one (see video above!), Alfa Romeo has finally confirmed British pricing for its highly anticipated Tonale crossover.
At launch, the Speciale trim opens the range at £38,595, but since it’s a limited run model, the full-time entry-level model is actually the Ti, which starts at £39,995.
That’s pricier than Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1 from the same class, but don’t forget, the Alfa is a mild hybrid so it’s got batteries as well as a petrol engine (more on that in a mo’) as standard. Plus, it’s arguably the most handsome car of the crossover segment – especially if you spend £42,495 to access the Veloce range-topper you see here.
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All cars come with Alfa Romeo’s 1.5-litre petrol engine, mated to a 48-volt mild hybrid system that’s claimed to enable up to 49mpg of fuel efficiency. It’s a punchy setup – as our review above explains in more detail – but a more sporting full-hybrid setup is coming later in the year with 275hp. Certainly one to keep an eye out for if you’re interested.
As standard, the Tonale gets 18-inch alloys and gloss black body trim on its exterior, while the cabin bears aluminium shift paddles, a leather trimmed wheel and Alfa’s new 12.1-inch infotainment system, which proved to be more than decent on our test. Oh, and there’s a digital instrument cluster in place of dials – an Alfa first – that adds to the technical armoury inside.
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Go up the trim list and you’ll find leather seats, 19- and 20-inch alloys, as well as an electric tailgate and wireless phone charging. The Tonale isn’t a cheap entrant to the class, but it’s also not short on kit. That – along with the car’s good looks and stylish interior – ought to help it squeeze up to other premium alternatives of the class, like the Range Rover Evoque.
That said, we get the impression that the Tonale’s true colours won’t be shown until that 275hp plug-in hybrid version arrives before the year’s close. It could inject a load of fun into the equation. Watch this space – and, of course, subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss our first go in it.
By Sam Sheehan