Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Alfa Romeo Veloce
Class: Compact Crossover
Colour: Alfa Rosso
Miles pushed: 111
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A- |
| Match and End | A- |
| Gasoline Financial system | B |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 266-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 9-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Noticed gas economic system: 23.1 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 21/29/24 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $36,495 (not together with $1995 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($695), Premium Package deal ($2000), Veloce Package deal ($1000), Energy Moonroof ($1400), Harman Kardon-brand premium audio system ($1000), 20-inch alloy wheels ($2000), further key fob ($40)
Worth as examined: $46,625
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Glorious
Execs and Cons
The good: loads of energy, enjoyable to drive
The nice: Snug front-row seating, upscale cabin trim
The not so good: Engine can sound coarse, rear-seat house tight for adults
Assessment
Auto fans may be fairly persnickety about issues. BMW followers, for instance, dismiss the German maker’s subcompact X1 and X2 crossovers as “faux” BMWs, this as a result of they journey on front-drive structure shared with Mini. Genuine BMWs, it appears, must be based mostly on rear-drive bits—by no means thoughts that the majority BMWs bought within the U.S. are outfitted with AWD.
We’re drawing from a smaller fan base now, however, Alfa Romeo followers have the same bone to choose with the Italian carmaker. Appears the brand new subcompact Tonale crossover isn’t of royal lineage.
In contrast to Alfa’s different fashions, the Giulia small sedan and Stelvio small crossover, each of that are constructed on Stellantis’ “Giorgio” structure, which additionally underpins the Maserati Grecale crossover, the Tonale shares its roots with such widespread fare because the Dodge Hornet, and Jeep Compass. The Tonale structure, recognized internally as “FCA Small Vast”, is versatile sufficient to host even a small pickup truck bought in South America, however it’s relatively pedestrian stuff, and hardly the makings of a sporty, European, luxurious crossover. Therefore the pushback.
So, with out the pedigree, does the Tonale deserve ground house in Alfa Romeo dealerships alongside its Maserati-blooded companion fashions? We’d say “sure,’ as a result of just like the BMW X1 and X2, the Tonale is a delight to drive, and can be tuned in the identical spirit as different Alfas, but may be had for a lot much less cash.
New in America for the 2024 mannequin yr, the Tonale was initially supplied solely in plug-in hybrid trim, that includes a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine mated with an electrical motor for a mixed system output of 285 horsepower. New for 2025 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4 that, although rated at simply 266 horsepower, offers a vastly improved drive expertise—and is completely the engine you need in your Tonale. Extra on our highway check in a second.
For 2025, the non-hybrid Tonale is obtainable in three trim ranges:
- Base ($39,785)
- Veloce ($42,930)
- Intensa Version ($48,480)
All trim ranges embrace normal AWD.
The Veloce provides to the bottom mannequin’s tools roster 19-inch alloy wheels (up from 18s), extra strong brakes with pink calipers, real-leather seating trim, paddle shifters, premium audio programs, enhanced drive modes, and a lot of different options and upgrades.
Intensa fashions get pleasure from further luxurious upgrades, together with Alcantara trim, and red-accent upholstery stitching.
Shopper Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Tonale Veloce in Alfa Rosso and outfitted with the Premium Package deal (which brings full-leather seating and ventilated entrance seats.) Together with vacation spot cost, our check automotive got here to $46,625.
As we famous earlier, we didn’t discover the plug-in hybrid model of the Tonale an particularly compelling small crossover. The tiny 4-cylinder engine felt and sounded crude, and would kick in unexpectedly throughout acceleration with a pronounced slam. The association was frankly crude, and panned by shoppers. You may learn our overview of a hybrid Tonale right here.
The turbocharged engine, additionally out there within the Dodge Hornet, is one thing of a revelation, unlocking the Tonale’s true sporty character. The engine isn’t totally clean, however feels and sounds unique, and serves up simply accessed energy. The usual 9-speed computerized transmission pairs properly with the engine, offering refined, well timed, clear shifts. In brief, the drivetrain offers helpful and satisfying energy.
Higher maybe than the facility, is the Tonale’s well-tuned suspension. Whereas the smallest Alfa is probably not of true Italian lineage, it does deal with properly, and feels nice being hustled round corners. The brakes, too, impress, with fast response and robust stopping energy.
Gimmicky however efficient is the Tonale’s “DNA” drive mannequin selector.
The drive-mode selector (the place D stands for Dynamic, N for Pure, and A for Superior Effectivity) permits drives to decide on between sporty, regular, and economic system settings. In contrast to in lots of autos, the DNA setup does meaningfully affect journey and dealing with, and is one thing greater than a gimmick. Additionally, in contrast to many drive-mode preparations, we discovered the sportiest setting extra entertaining than annoying, which isn’t all the time the case.
As soon as the enjoyable driving is over and also you’ve hit the open freeway, the Tonale settles down properly for the lengthy haul, with a usually compliant journey, and surprisingly quiet cabin. Agency and comfortable seats assist profit from prolonged highway journeys.
Inside, the Tonale ranks among the many best-dressed crossovers in its dimension and value class. The mix of actual leather-based, fake suede, and satin-finish steel accents presents as premium and complicated, and is definitely befitting the Alfa Rome marque.
Right here’s some further information: As this overview is posted, Alfa is providing incentives of as much as $5000 on New Tonales, which makes the small Italian crossover one thing of a discount. Even at it’s checklist value, our check automotive is available in considerably inexpensive than like-size choices from the German luxurious makers.
So, no, the Tonale isn’t a “actual” Alfa Romeo within the strictest sense, but it surely does journey and drive like one, and—in our opinion—it appears to be like nice, too. Is driving a Tonale just a little like carrying a faux Rolex? Perhaps just a little, however with the cash you save going Italian as an alternative of German on this class, you may be capable of decide up an actual Rolex—or two or three fakes. It’s actually as much as you.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
