2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale vs. The Competition

Those looking for something a little different and a little bit more fun already know that Alfa Romeo is the way to go, but with the debut of the Tonale, there is a new dimension to this – electrification. The Tonale has a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, a first for Alfa Romeo, and it means a big shakeup for the whole segment. To show just how big a shakeup it really is, Alfa Romeo of San Jose has put together the following guide, showing how the Tonale’s biggest competitors measure up to this revolutionary crossover.

Alfa Romeo Tonale VS Mercedes-Benz GLA

First up against the Alfa Romeo Tonale is the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Since the Tonale comes with standard all-wheel drive, we’re comparing it specifically to the GLA 250 4MATIC. The Mercedes-Benz starts with a slight price advantage, but the power advantage goes to the Tonale. That advantage is one you’ll feel behind the wheel, as you can tell from the 0-60 MPH time. But you also have the option to drive in the near-silent all-electric mode for up to an estimated 32 miles if you prefer. The EPA hasn’t published fuel economy numbers for the Tonale yet, but the plug-in hybrid drivetrain will take you 360 miles on a full 11.2-gallon tank and fully charged battery. The GLA only manages 330 miles, which doesn’t sound like a huge difference, but the GLA has a 13.5-gallon fuel tank. So the Tonale will get you further on less fuel, definitely a plus.

You can take a lot more with you in the Tonale, thanks to both having more cargo space in the back and just being rated for towing at all. Despite being a luxury vehicle, Mercedes-Benz asks for you to fork over extra money for heated seats in the GLA, a feature that comes standard on the Tonale. Lastly, Alfa Romeo includes a year of routine maintenance with the Tonale. But as you might expect from a company that charges $500 for something as basic as heated seats, the Mercedes-Benz does not.

Alfa Romeo Tonale VS BMW X1

Next up against the Alfa Romeo Tonale is the BMW X1, which, like the Tonale, comes with standard AWD. The X1 fares a bit better than the GLA in the performance department but still falls well short of the Tonale. The X1 gets decent fuel economy for this segment, but it lacks any all-electric range, while the Tonale has enough that most daily commuters won’t need to use any gasoline at all. Legroom, which is an important thing to consider in a compact vehicle, is noticeably better in the Tonale, especially in the front seats. And you can bring a literal ton more cargo with you in the Tonale, since that’s the Alfa’s towing capacity, compared to the X1’s zero.

When it comes to equipment, the Tonale once again has a clear advantage. BMW demonstrates the confusing tendency among German luxury brands to add a hefty charge for heated seats, which remain standard on the Tonale. We’ve highlighted lane-keeping assist, but most electronic driver’s aids on the X1 are optional, including other features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, which are standard on the Tonale. BMW loves fancy tech features, but for some reason continues to lag behind when it comes to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which are wireless in the Tonale, but require a wired connection in the X1. BMW has also neglected to extend the smartphone remote start features to smartwatches, but Alfa Romeo has.

Alfa Romeo Tonale VS Audi Q3

Next up to challenge the Alfa Romeo Tonale, we have the Audi Q3. The base trim Q3 actually comes with a lower starting price than the rest of the vehicles here, but that base configuration is almost incomparably underpowered, so we’re looking at the 45 TFSI configuration, which is more in line with the competition in terms of power and price. That said, it still comes up short when compared to the Tonale, and has the slowest 0-60 time of any of the vehicles listed here. The Q3 lacks any electrification and isn’t rated for towing which is pretty standard for the vehicles in this segment, which again gives the Tonale a clear advantage over the Q3. Most people would agree that the Tonale is a better-looking vehicle than the Q3 already, but if you choose to go with even more aggressive styling, you can also opt for the available 20-inch wheels on the Tonale, which aren’t offered on the Q3.

One of the Q3’s more glaring shortcomings is legroom, a problem the Tonale doesn’t suffer from, with nearly 2 inches more in both the front and rear. You’ll be able to see better as well, since interior ambient lighting is standard on the Tonale, but requires you to either move up to the Premium Plus trim on the Q3, or opt for the $1,750 Convenience Package. That same package is required if you want the Homelink garage door opener, a pretty basic piece of equipment that therefore comes standard on the Tonale.

Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Lincoln Corsair

In this comparison, we’ll compare the dynamic Alfa Romeo Tonale against another one of its most formidable rivals – the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring. Although both models share sophisticated PHEV powertrains with essentially identical efficiency ratings, there’s a big performance difference that you’ll notice immediately. Boasting significantly more horsepower and torque, the Tonale is the clear choice for driving enthusiasts. While Lincoln owners have to settle for the questionable durability and responsiveness of a dull CVT, the Tonale comes equipped with a proven 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale continues to shine in comparison to the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring as we further examine the list of standard features for both models. Wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing windshield wipers are just three premium convenience features included as standard on the Tonale. You’ll be forced to shell out additional cash in order to receive these outstanding features at Lincoln. In terms of interior space, the Tonale also boasts greater front headroom and rear legroom than the Corsair. Finally, Alfa Romeo includes a complimentary first scheduled maintenance visit with every Tonale. Once again, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for your first visit to a Lincoln dealership. Value, performance, and sophistication are three reasons to choose Alfa Romeo over Lincoln.