AND BREF
Version hybride rechargeable
280 horsepower, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2s
69 km of electric range
From €51,000
Let’s start by addressing a very subjective aspect to talk about this Alfa Romeo Tonale: facing our test copy painted in the same “Montreal Green” color as the extravagant Giulia GTA, difficult to remain completely insensitive to the pencil stroke of the machine. We are talking about a compact family crossover, far from the Alfa Romeo canons dreamed of by the purists who speak so often in the columns of our comments. But in a world teeming with German SUVs in all possible shades of gray, the look of this somewhat boastful Italian still produces its small effect. What a mouthful, this very dressed Transalpine? You might think so at first glance, especially since reading the recent tests of the model in its mild-hybrid petrol versions. With a chassis derived from Jeep Compass and engines criticized for their average performance, the Tonal was making a slow media launch.
Jean-Philippe Imparato, defector from Peugeot and boss of the Milanese brand since 2020, however expected this new Tonale as a true messiah. As soon as he arrived at the manufacturer’s management, he had no hesitation in postponing its marketing for twelve weeks just to refine its ground connections and more specifically the rechargeable hybrid version: the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 takes up the architecture of basis of Jeep Compass 4XE, with all-wheel drive and a rear axle only engaged with the electric motor (without a real driveshaft to connect the two axles). But the boss asked to change the battery, improve the electric motor and enlarge the tank. Its goal ? “To offer a vehicle that complies with Alfa Romeo dynamic standards and capable of traveling at least 600 kilometers on a single electric charge and a single tank of gas”. So, does this Tonale plug-in hybrid make a better impression after the relative disappointment of our first tests? To find out, here we are at the wheel of the crossover in its high-end Veloce finish on the roads around Balocco, before heading straight to the famous test track of the Stellantis group.
A sporty interior presentation
Once installed at the wheel of the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid, the presentation changes very little compared to the thermal versions already tested. We therefore find a very sporty general atmosphere, digital screens with a deliberately limited size and a level of finish that is really not ungrateful in the category of premium compact SUVs. The Mercedes GLA and others Audi Q3 perhaps retain a small advantage in terms of perceived quality (particularly in terms of the impression of solidity of the lower part of the center console) or the refinement of certain trims. But in this high-end Veloce finish (56,000 € all the same), we have the feeling of being in an expensive vehicle. As in most premium models, the on-board navigation seems a bit outdated and will benefit from being replaced by Apple Carplay or Android Auto via its Smartphone. We also note a digital interface with sometimes average reactivity but nothing really prohibitive in this area. As for the rear seats, they offer generous legroom and could only benefit from better roof guard. Only small problem related to the presence of the 15.5 kWh batteries and the electric motor under the rear floor, the trunk sees its volume increase from 500 to 385 liters. Fortunately, there is still enough to travel comfortably, even if some plug-in hybrid SUVs (premium or not) do a little better.
More dignified dynamic performances
Criticized for its lack of mechanical approval on its basic versions, the Tonale plug-in hybrid is logically more to its advantage with this powertrain. Composed of a small block four-cylinder turbo 1.3 liter of 180 horsepower associated with a 122 horsepower electric motor, it still claims 280 horsepower in cumulative power and a maximum electric range of 69 km according to the WLTP cycle. We recorded 51 km in “zero emissions” mode in a road route unfavorable to energy savings, with an unrepresentative figure of 4.6 liters / 100 km on a total journey of a few hundred kilometers started with the batteries full. Once these batteries are completely discharged, the consumption of the internal combustion engine approaches 10 litres/100 kilometers (no miracles with a mass of 1,835 kg when empty). Incidentally, there is a low level of electrical recovery on the road, without “brake mode”.
The performances are at a good level without reaching those of a 100% thermal model with similar power like the Cupra Ateca. The mechanical character remains quite unremarkable (banal sound and average engine response), but the dynamism of the Tonale comes rather from its chassis development: agile but comfortable, it benefits from a confusingly fast steering. With its lightness and low feedback, this steering is somewhat reminiscent of that of the Jaguar e-Pace and clashes with the Germans with more conservative settings. You get used to it quickly and on the very demanding circuit of Balocco, very unsuited to such a vehicle, you even manage to take pleasure in driving thanks to a machine that agrees to turn when you lift your foot and which maintains good stability at high speed despite the rapidity of its direction and mass. The limit in these conditions remains the responsiveness of the six-speed automatic transmission and the general definition of the car, more tuned as a versatile SUV than a real ultra-sporty model like the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 or the Audi RS. Q3. In this regard, Jean-Philippe Imparato rules out the possibility of adding a Quadrifoglio version to the catalog to compete with them directly, preferring to mobilize resources elsewhere.