2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Tributo Italiano EAWD Overview & Check Drive : Automotive Addicts

Alfa Romeo

With regards to indulging in one thing completely different that doesn’t observe the everyday crossover crowd, Alfa Romeo has one thing particular to supply within the type of their compact Tonale. Such a automobile has been an try to achieve extra recognition in the US in capturing the wholesome gross sales of crossover utility automobiles. From its thrilling introduction in 2022, the Tonale continues on with new trims that try and inject one thing particular that you would be able to simply miss, resembling in my Tonale Tributo Italiano check automobile.

The Tonale Tributo Italiano EAWD trim takes up the area for the highest trim of the brand new Tonale however does so with out altering a lot aside from having a number of particular touches, resembling embroidered ‘Tributo Italiano’ headrests, accented inside trim particulars, a black roof, body-colored decrease body-kit, and Italian flag accents on the outside mirror caps. In any other case, you’re coping with the identical Tonale EAWD plug-in hybrid setup, which tends to be an fascinating drivetrain providing.

The 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine returns, as does the rear electrical motor, to energy the rear wheels. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automated transmission, and dealing in concord with the electrical motor, there’s little bit of mid-range grunt as much as its full potential of manufacturing 285 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque.

The estimated 30 miles of electric-only vary is a pleasant profit. Once more, similar to in my earlier evaluate, I managed 31 miles in an all-electric drive. Utilizing the onboard 7.4-kW charger and my residence Stage 2 setup (240V, 40 amps), a full cost took slightly below 3 hours. Sadly, DC quick charging isn’t an possibility since there’s no appropriate CCS port or onboard help for it.

Driving round city with out charging up the 15.5-kW battery you’ll anticipate to match the 29 mpg EPA estimate however anticipate that determine to say no shortly if you happen to ever use the intelligent e-Save perform to retain the charged battery power and barely cost up the battery when driving.

As I’ve defined in my earlier evaluate of the Alfa Romeo Tonale EAWD, it does its enterprise with some inconsistent strategies however finally impresses with its energetic spirit on the street. That spirit, wrapped up in an Italian flare, will get you as much as 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds and offers the flexibility of driving about 30 miles on electrical energy alone – abet down on energy because the motor on the rear wheels is simply good for 121 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque alone. There’s a welcoming steadiness of the Tonale that excites you with its simulated torque vectoring a number of “DNA” drive modes and adaptive dampers.

Identical to in my earlier evaluate, the 6-speed transmission continues to be busy downshifting consistently when on the freeway, even when just a bit energy is demanded. Furthermore, the powertrain’s administration of the electrical motor and turbocharged engine continues to be a little bit harsh and remains to be in want of some refinement. Nonetheless, that doesn’t preserve the Tonale from having an edge due to its demeanor of being extra on the sporty facet of issues as a substitute of luxurious.

Talking of luxurious, the inside is a pleasant area, although in a small, compact kind. That smallness, mimicked from its Dodge Hornet counterpart, holds is Italian design properly. There’s simply the truth that many traits are simply completely different from what you anticipate in opponents – not essentially a foul factor for individuals who get pleasure from being completely different. The entrance heated seats are on the small facet however present simply sufficient help and luxury to match its compact Italian spice. The ten.25-inch infotainment unit with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration has a studying curve that may take some time to beat for many, together with the thought of coping with the smallish onscreen button capabilities. The voice interplay works properly, citing core automobile perform entry by merely saying, “Hey, Alfa.” In any other case, there’s a looming minimalistic method to issues, such because the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that continues to be considerably irritating to customise viewing options.

Cargo area is respectable for a compact crossover, providing 23 cubic ft behind the rear seats and increasing to 51 cubic ft with the guide 60/40-split seatbacks folded flat—all accessible by way of an influence liftgate.

Each Tonale trim comes normal with a full suite of lively security options, together with blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning with lane preserve help, ahead collision warning with emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree digicam system.

Alfa Romeo retains the Tonale’s premium plug-in hybrid positioning in test with a beginning worth of $46,035 for the bottom trim, although a number of grand greater than final yr’s plug-in hybrid base trim. My absolutely optioned Tonale Tributo Italiano tester rang in at $59,590, together with a $1,995 vacation spot cost.

FOLLOW US TODAY: