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 £50,065
Avg. savings
£3,269 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

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

Our latest car deals

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Alfa Romeo Tonale

RRP £36,575Avg. savings £3,269 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,380Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,743 off RRP*Compare Offers
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Toyota Yaris Cross review
Toyota Yaris Cross - front tracking

Toyota Yaris Cross review

In-depth reviews
7 Jan 2025
Ford Explorer review
Ford Explorer - main image

Ford Explorer review

In-depth reviews
24 Dec 2024

Most Popular

These used cars from 1985 just became tax-free classics
These used cars from 1985 just became tax-free classics header

These used cars from 1985 just became tax-free classics

Is it time to get on board with these 40-year-old cars that have just qualified for the historic vehicle road tax exemption?
Features
12 Jan 2025
Car Deal of the Day: simply brilliant new Skoda Elroq SUV for under £300 per month
Skoda Elroq - side static

Car Deal of the Day: simply brilliant new Skoda Elroq SUV for under £300 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 12 January is a great price for Skoda’s supremely comfortable and very spacious new electric SUV
News
12 Jan 2025
Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: impeccable quality meets surprising inefficiency
Auto Express senior news reporter Alastair Crooks standing next to the Lexus LBX while holding a giant Uno playing card

Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: impeccable quality meets surprising inefficiency

First report: this new compact hybrid cross pulled an UNO reverse card on us
Long-term tests
12 Jan 2025