Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Alfa Romeo Tonale review - Interior, design and technology

We love the slick infotainment system, however cabin quality can’t match the Tonale’s closest rivals from Germany and Sweden

Interior, design and technology rating

4.5

How we review cars
RRP
£37,175 £54,465
Avg. savings
£3,176 off RRP*
Find your Alfa Romeo Tonale
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It might be based on a platform that can trace its roots back nearly 20 years to an old Fiat hatchback, but you’d never know it just by looking at the Tonale. It’s a great-looking family car that adds some flair and style to a segment not exactly known for flamboyant design. There are even some references to iconic Alfas of yesteryear, from the SZ in the triple-element light clusters, the 8C with its window line, and (although this one is perhaps a bit of a stretch) the sixties GT’s silhouette. 

The interior is fairly minimalist but not quite to the same extent as the latest Volvo cabins, nor does it rely quite so heavily on scratchy piano black plastics as German rivals. There are some new elements like the crisp digital driver’s display and central touchscreen, but the stylish space is enhanced with a few elements lifted directly from the larger Giulia and Stelvio. The most notable is the three-spoke steering wheel and – in the case of the range-topping Veloce model – large metal gear shift paddles mounted to the steering column. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The build quality is typically Alfa, by which we mean there’s a mix of the great and the disappointing. Fortunately, the aspects that fall into the former category tend to be the bits that you touch often, such as the steering wheel and the excellent aluminium shift paddles if you go for the top-spec model. At the same time, the centre console and door trims feel wobbly and are made from scratchy plastic. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Tonale

2025 Alfa Romeo

Tonale

15,739 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £23,995
View Tonale
Tonale

2022 Alfa Romeo

Tonale

9,927 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £22,995
View Tonale

Overall, the quality and premium feel of the cabin falls short of where it should be considering the price, or compared to the Tonale’s key rivals like the BMW X1 which excels in those departments.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Alfa Romeo Tonale uses the same 10.25-inch central touchscreen as the Maserati MC20 supercar, plus the fully electric Fiat 500 and Jeep Avenger, so we know it’s a solid set-up. The Android-based operating system is easy to navigate, but a lot of the shortcut icons around the edges of the screen are pretty small and not the easiest to hit while on the move. The screen is responsive at least, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature as standard so you can bypass the built-in infotainment if you’re really not a fan.

The touchscreen isn’t buried in the dashboard like the display in Alfa’s Guilia saloon or Stelvio SUV, instead it sits proudly on top with a set of physical climate controls below – something we always like to see, as it means you don’t have to route around a touchscreen to change the cabin temperature.

Behind the steering wheel is a slick 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, configurable with three unique looks: a set of modern and sporty dials, a retro set-up designed to look like those in Alfas of old, and a pared-back option that’ll be easy on the eyes at night. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Alfa Romeo Tonale

RRP £38,200Avg. savings £3,176 off RRP*Used from £22,995
Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

RRP £46,105Avg. savings £3,785 off RRP*Used from £17,400
Cupra Formentor

Cupra Formentor

RRP £32,315Avg. savings £5,713 off RRP*Used from £15,990
BMW X1

BMW X1

RRP £36,430Avg. savings £3,145 off RRP*Used from £25,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Ford Capri review
Ford Capri - main image

Ford Capri review

In-depth reviews
30 Apr 2025
Skoda Enyaq Coupe review
Skoda Enyaq Coupe - front

Skoda Enyaq Coupe review

In-depth reviews
30 Apr 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025