From the Driver’s Seat: What You Need to Know with the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD

This is a vehicle that has been eagerly anticipated for quite some time. Alfa Romeo gave us a glimpse of it over a year ago, but it’s only now that we’ve had the chance to get behind the wheel. Having previously reviewed the Dodge Dart, a cousin of this car, but with a different engine setup, we were intrigued to see what the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD had in store. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

The all-new 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale is set to hit the market in three distinct models: Sprint, Ti, and Veloce.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale boasts a sleek Grigio Ascari Metallic exterior paint. Designed with young, metropolitan, and dynamic customers in mind, the Tonale offers a distinctive, sensual, and forward-looking design. It’s worth noting the striking “3+3” headlight design featuring new full LED technology and the presence of stylish 20” x 8” Five Hole wheels.

While the Tonale’s appearance is undeniably appealing, it’s interesting to note that it didn’t draw as many inquiries and attention as its cousin, the Dodge Dart, during our test drive. The compact dimensions, with a length of 178.3 inches, a wheelbase of 103.8, a width of 72.4 inches, and a height of 63.0 inches, give it an urban-friendly size.

The Tonale offers a respectable 22.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, providing practicality for a compact SUV.

Under the hood, the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD boasts a cutting-edge hybrid system. This system combines a 1.3-liter MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. The result is a best-in-class power output of 285 horsepower and 350 lb.ft. of torque. Notably, the rear axle is powered by a 90-kW electric motor, capable of producing 184 lb.-ft. of torque.

It’s essential to mention that the hybrid powertrain is available in all models and runs on premium unleaded fuel. The state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology offers an electric range of more than 30 miles.

The PHEV Q4 AWD, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, combines a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery, a 90 kW electric motor, and the 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to deliver impressive performance figures.

The Tonale also features a 14.8-kWh battery pack under the floor, allowing for up to 33 miles of electric-only driving. Charging the battery at home with a 240-volt connection takes about two and a half hours.

Stepping inside, you’ll find a black interior with perforated leather seats. The interior design takes inspiration from Alfa Romeo’s racing heritage and places a strong emphasis on the driver. Additionally, there are available multi-colored LED interior lights that add a touch of flair to the cabin.

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale comes equipped with the latest tech features. It features standard Uconnect 5 on a 10.25-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver’s cluster screen.

When it comes to performance, the Alfa Romeo Tonale offers a range of driving modes through the DNA Drive Mode Selector, including Dual Power/Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency. The Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) suspension tuning sets the standard for driving dynamics in the segment. The Tonale can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 6 seconds. However, some drivers may find the steering a bit isolated from the road, and the vehicle’s body motions can feel less controlled, especially in corners.

The Tonale offers a variety of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention assist, and rear-seat reminder, as well as lane departure warning with lane-keep assist.

According to the EPA, the Tonale achieves an impressive 77 MPGe combined, thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain, giving it an efficiency advantage over non-hybrid rivals.

The Tonale comes in various trims, with the base Tonale Sprint EAWD starting at an MSRP of $43,655. Our Tonale Veloce starts at $47,495, but with additional options and destination charges, it has a full MSRP of $57,450.

Given the slightly higher starting price of the Tonale, we recommend considering the mid-range Ti trim, which includes added luxuries like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging pad, interior ambient lighting, and a power-operated rear liftgate.

In the market, the Tonale competes with a host of rivals, including the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, and many more.

In conclusion, the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD is an intriguing addition to the compact SUV segment. While its exterior design and interior aesthetics are indeed appealing, some aspects of its powertrain and handling might leave potential buyers wanting more, especially considering the price point. However, for those who value the Alfa Romeo brand and its unique design, the Tonale could still be a compelling choice in this competitive market.