New 2021 Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid SUV Interior & Exterior Full Review

The all-new 2021 Alfa Romeo Tonale looks to inject some Italian blood into the fray of subcompact luxury crossovers. With curvy bodywork that's accentuated by Alfa's sharp-nosed face, the Tonale is as handsome as they come. In addition, it should offer a plug-in-hybrid powertrain with a short electric-driving range. Although that and many other facets about the small SUV are still unknown, the company has promised that it will continue Alfa's tradition of driving enjoyment. Throw in a high seating height and an all-wheel-drive option that consumers crave—as well as the potential for a high-powered Quadrifoglio model—and the 2021 Tonale is set to be a compelling new entry.

The all-new Tonale debuted in concept form at the 2019 Geneva auto show, and more recently we've seen leaked images of it in production form. While we await official details on the version that will hit U.S. showrooms, we know that it will slot underneath the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV and compete with subcompact alternatives such as the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40.

Alfa hasn't announced how much the Tonale will cost or when it will go on sale. Once that information is released, we can detail which model we think is the most desirable. The odds are good that it'll follow the same trim-level hierarchy that the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio do. Their lineups are: base model, Sport, Ti, Ti Sport, and Ti Lusso. They also offer a high-performance Quadrifoglio variant that could eventually reach the Tonale, too.

Although full details are still pending, we expect the eventual production version will be based on a front-wheel-drive platform that deviates from the company's current rear-drive architecture. Of course, an all-wheel-drive system undoubtedly will be available to satisfy consumer demands. The plug-in hybrid model will have a rear-mounted electric motor to assist an internal combustion engine up front—most likely a turbocharged four-cylinder. Despite the mechanical departures showcased on the Tonale, Alfa promises it will preserve the driver engagement and performance attributes that are the brand's legendary hallmarks.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Looking past some of the concept's whimsical interior pieces such as the translucent backlit panels, we expect many design elements and technology features to make their way into the production model. The circular air vents and the driver-centric dashboard are obviously evolved from current Alfa models. The concept's dash also featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and its three-spoke steering wheel put a modern spin on a classic design. The adoption of front-wheel drive could help with interior packaging compared with rear-drive Alfas. However, that space could be compromised by the battery pack and electric motor that define plug-in hybrids.

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