I have to admit: when I saw the Tonale Concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show I was impressed. It kind of looked like the Stelvio, but it was a lot sportier. It was proof that Alfa Romeo can significantly improve its SUV look.

And when Alfa Romeo announced a production version should follow shortly, I was even more stocked. Problems though came shortly after the announcement. Jean-Philippe Imparato was unhappy with the performances offered by the plug-in hybrid system and decided to delay the launch of the production version Tonale. The merge between FAC and PSA delayed the Tonale even more. But, all those problems are now solved and the Tonale is back on track! An official debut should happen sometime in 2022, and it will be built at the Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco.

2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale

Specifications
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  • Model: 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale
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Exterior Design

The future Tonale will be a compact crossover SUV built on the Small Wide 4X4 platform - the same one used for Jeep Renegade.} It will be placed under the Stelvio in the lineup and will take on models like Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Alfa Romeo actually has big plans for it, as it should be the model that will help them increase the sales numbers from the current 150,000 units a year to 400,000 units.

And, if the production version will be anything like the concept car we really think the Tonale will enjoy great success on the market.

If you look closely at the spy shots and the concept car you will notice the essence of the concept is still there. Of course, we expect a lot of the design from the Giulia and the Stelvio to be carried over, but we also hope those cool-looking headlamps from the concept car will be kept. It looks like it, but it also looks like they are a little bit wider.

Interior look

Our spy photographers were not able to take any clear pictures of the interior, but the short glimpse we have reveals an updated look when compared to the Stelvio. It seems that the 8.8-inch touchscreen display we've seen in the 2021 Stelvio will be replaced with something bigger. Should we hope to see the 10.3-inch one carried from the concept version to production? It is very possible! But what we would really like to see in the production version Tonale is the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and, in general, the clean, elegant look of the concept car.

As for the cargo room, it should be at least enough to match its competitors. For example, the Audi Q3 has a cargo room of 23.7 cubic feet, but it can be expanded to 48 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The BMW X1 is a little bit more spacious: 27.1 cubic feet with the seats up, or 58.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Powertrain

As the Tonale will share its Small Wide 4X4 platform with the Jeep Renegade, we can expect to be offered with the same engines as the Renegade: a range of four-cylinder engines as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

There are two versions available: one with 190 and the other one with 240 horsepower. However, the plug-in hybrid system was the reason why the Tonale was delayed, as Imparato wanted more power for the compact SUV. This could very easily mean that we will see more power coming from the tiny Tonale.

The plug-in hybrid Renegade has an all-electric range of 31 miles, so expect similar numbers in the Tonale too.

Conclusion

The prototypes caught testing in Italy are wearing heavy camouflage, so it is very difficult to guess how the final Tonale will look. However, rumors suggest that by the time winter test season comes we will have a better look at the final product.

No matter what, we expect to see a model with an improved look when compared to the Stelvio, but at the same time with more power when compared to Renegade plug-in hybrid.

Rumors suggest the production version Tonale will debut in the early months of 2022, maybe at the Geneva Motor Show, with sales set to begin in June 2022.