The plug-in hybrid version of its new Tonale small SUV has gone on sale in Australia, priced from a chunky $77,500 before on-roads for the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV.
The price puts the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Q4 in line with full electric small SUV rivals such as the Volvo XC40 Pure Electric ($73,990) or Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 ($81,700).
Alfa Tonale buyers can buy a mild hybrid petrol Ti version for $49,900, while a $56,500 mild hybird Veloce grade has – drivetrain excluded – identical specification and features to the $21,100 pricier Veloce PHEV.
At a time when prestige brands are cooling on plug-in hybrids and concentrating on full battery electric SUVs, the Tonale is something of a standalone PHEV in segment.
The recently-launched Mazda CX-60 PHEV medium SUV is pushing for premium buyers, and undercuts the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV with its $72,300 starting price.
All-wheel-drive and ample performance
While the price may prove challenging, the all-wheel-drive Tonale PHEV Q4’s specification and vitals boost its appeal.
Hardware is a 132kW 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with six-speed auto gearbox over the front axle, with the rear axle utilising a 90kW/250Nm electric motor. These combine for 208kW, and offering a hot hatch-like 6.2-second sprint to 100km/h
PHEV economy figures depend very much on the use, but the official WLTP number is a sipping 1.14L/100km. This makes it the most efficient Alfa Romeo from its lengthy history
Of far more relevance is the electric-only range of up to 60km (WLTP), courtesy of a 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery.
Standard equipment includes a 7.4kW AC on board charger and a Type 2 charging port for public charging.
Using a home wallbox charger, Alfa says using peak 7.4kW AC charge will see the battery go from zero to full in less than 2.5 hours.
Generous inclusions boost the appeal
It’s a striking SUV to look at, and while the powertrain may be far from traditional Alfa Romeo, the Tonale’s style and good looks adhere to the Italian brand’s priciples.
The PHEV version includes a Dark Miron body kit with matte inserts, 19-inch diamond cut alloys, full LED Matrix headlights and Brembo red brake callipers. A patriotic touch for this Italian-made includes the country’s flag on the exterior mirrors.
Alfa’s active dual-stage valve suspension is standard, while inside are heated, ventilated and power front seats in perforated black leather. Aluminium’s used for the pedals, shift paddles and door sills, while there’s custom ambient lighting and a sunroof.
Infotainment’s covered with a 10.25-inch screen, , wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, Harman Kardon audio and 12.3-inch digital driver display.
Safety kit includes active blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control with stop & go, lane support, traffic sign recognition, 360-degree camera, all-round park sensors and a self-parking feature.
An extra $1500 buys 20-inch grey alloys, paints other than white are another $1600, while the hero Montreal Green in our photos adds $2500 to the bill.
Alfa Romeo needs the Tonale to sell
There’s little question the cheaper mild hybrid Tonales will make up the bulk of the small SUV sales.
And Alfa in Australia needs to shift a decent number. The Italian brand sold a mere 571 units here in 2022: it’s lowest number for 25 years.
The Tonale PHEV must be seen as a gateway to Alfa Romeo’s optimistic EV future. By 2027 it plans to ditch combustion engines entirely, and only sell full electric vehicles by that date.
