Robert Ackers
Summary
- Alfa Romeo's Tonale facelift includes improved styling, handling, and compliance with the latest emissions regulations.
- A new entry-level trim aims to lower the starting price and boost competitiveness in the market.
Alfa Romeo has given the Tonale a targeted refresh aimed at sharpening its looks, tightening its handling and bringing its powertrains up to the latest emissions rules — plus a new, cheaper entry-level trim designed to broaden its appeal.
What’s changed
The update’s headline is mechanical as well as visual. Alfa has revised the Tonale’s engine line-up to meet Euro 6-bis regulations and to make the compact SUV feel sportier on the road. The 1.5-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid petrol gains 15bhp, taking output to 173bhp.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) now comes in two tune levels: a 187bhp variant and a more powerful 266bhp one (the latter down slightly from the previous 276bhp). Alfa hasn’t confirmed whether electric-only range improves on the current 38-mile figure, but the PHEV receives a new control computer that Alfa says smooths the handover between petrol and electric drive.
Alfa has also widened the suspension track to reduce body roll and understeer — a simple but effective tweak aimed at improving handling feel.
New face, familiar flair
Visually the facelift softens and rounds the Tonale’s front end. The lower grille has been enlarged and turned up to echo the brand’s newer Junior crossover, while the main shield now carries horizontal bars and is flanked by fresh air intakes inspired by the Giulia GTAm. The overall effect is curvier and, Alfa hopes, more characterful.
Inside — small but smart updates
Cabin changes are subtle: new upholstery choices including Alcantara with contrasting “cannelloni” stitching, and the retention of the gear-selector dial introduced in the 2025 refresh. The focus is on improving perceived quality and giving buyers more choice without disrupting the Tonale’s interior layout.
Trims and price positioning
Alfa will introduce an unnamed new entry-level trim featuring 17in alloys and fabric upholstery — a move likely intended to bring the Tonale’s starting price down from the current £38,650 and make it more competitive. This new base model will replace the Sprint grade. Above it sit the mid-range Ti (18in wheels, tinted glass, heated wheel) and the top Veloce with 19in wheels, adaptive-beam headlights and adaptive suspension.
Why this matters commercially
The facelift arrives at a crucial moment for Alfa. According to Jato Dynamics, Tonale registrations between January and the end of August 2025 were down roughly 42% year-on-year, a stark contrast with rivals: fewer than 700 Tonales have been registered in the UK so far this year versus more than 8,000 Audi Q3s and nearly 9,000 BMW X1s. Alfa will be hoping the cheaper entry point and the sharper styling and dynamics convince more buyers to give the Tonale a second look.
The stronger seller in the range is currently the Junior crossover — around 22,598 examples sold across Europe from January to August 2025 — and that success will be important as Alfa prepares future updates and replacements for the Stelvio and Giulia (reports indicate the Stelvio’s launch has been delayed to allow re-engineering for hybrid powertrains).
Bottom line
This facelift is a pragmatic package: tidier styling, a boost to the mild-hybrid petrol, two PHEV outputs (including the new 187bhp option), and a lower-cost trim to widen appeal. It won’t fix every sales issue overnight, but it makes the Tonale a sharper, better-priced competitor in a fiercely contested compact-premium segment.
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