Lead
Alfa Romeo has refreshed the Tonale with bolder styling, revised powertrains and a wider chassis track as it bids to lift demand for its mid-size SUV. The update introduces a new 187bhp plug-in hybrid alongside a 266bhp version, while the entry-level 1.5-litre mild hybrid rises to 173bhp. The engines meet new Euro 6-bis emissions rules. Designers have reworked the front end to mirror the brand’s latest look, and engineers have fitted new control software to smooth shifts between electric and petrol power. A new entry trim with 17in alloys and fabric seats aims to cut the starting price from today’s £38,650, though Alfa has not confirmed figures. The refresh lands as the Tonale trails key rivals, including the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, and as Alfa readies major model changes elsewhere in its range.
Context and timing
Alfa Romeo announced the updated Tonale on 14 October 2025 for European markets, including the UK. The brand outlined styling, chassis and powertrain changes, and signalled a revised trim walk, with pricing details to follow.
Image Source: Auto Express
Sharper face and chassis tweaks target a more engaging drive
Alfa Romeo gives the Tonale a more assertive front end to bring it closer to the newer Junior crossover. The lower grille grows in size and flips upward, while the shield grille gains horizontal bars. New air intakes sit beside it, drawing inspiration from the Giulia GTAm. The tweaks give the SUV a fuller, more sculpted look that sits cleaner with Alfa’s current design language.
Engineers also adjust the chassis to back up the claims of greater sportiness. Alfa says it has widened the suspension track to cut body roll and reduce understeer. The move aims to deliver a crisper turn-in and steadier mid-corner control, without pushing ride quality out of balance. These are targeted upgrades rather than a full rework, but they signal Alfa’s intent to keep the Tonale’s handling near the front of the class for drivers who value steering feel.
Powertrains reworked for Euro 6-bis and smoother hybrid performance
The updated line-up centres on emissions compliance and refinement. Alfa now offers two outputs for the four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid: 187bhp and 266bhp. The 266bhp variant replaces the current 276bhp PHEV, marking a slight power drop. Alfa has not disclosed whether the PHEV’s electric-only range improves on the current 38 miles figure. It does, however, add a new control computer that manages handovers between the petrol engine and electric motor for smoother transitions in mixed driving.
The entry 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol, paired with a mild-hybrid system, gets a 15bhp lift to 173bhp. Alfa positions this powertrain as a more efficient route into the range while keeping day-to-day performance intact. All engines now meet the latest Euro 6-bis standard, which matters for Alfa’s ability to sell the Tonale across Europe as emissions rules tighten. The brand will reveal full economy and CO2 data closer to market launch.
Interior updates and a reorganised trim line-up
Inside, Alfa adds new upholstery options, including Alcantara with contrasting stitching described by the brand as resembling cannelloni. The cabin retains the new gear selector dial that Alfa introduced for the 2025 model-year update. These changes build on the Tonale’s digital layout, which already features twin displays and connected services.
Alfa also simplifies its trim structure. A new entry-level version arrives with 17in alloy wheels and fabric upholstery. It replaces the Sprint grade and should lower the Tonale’s starting price from the current £38,650, though Alfa has yet to confirm the figure. The mid-range Ti continues with 18in alloys, tinted windows and a heated steering wheel, while the Veloce remains the flagship with 19in wheels, adaptive-beam headlights and adaptive suspension. The reshaped range aims to hit a sharper value point without diluting the car’s core kit.
Sales pressure sets the tone for a strategic refresh
The facelift arrives as the Tonale struggles for traction in the UK. Autocar understands fewer than 700 Tonales have been registered so far this year, while buyers registered more than 8000 Audi Q3s and nearly 9000 BMW X1s over the same period. Those figures highlight the scale of the task Alfa faces in Europe’s most hotly contested SUV segment.
Across the wider model range, pressure has mounted in 2025. According to data from analyst Jato Dynamics, Tonale sales between January and the end of August 2025 fell 42% year on year. The Stelvio dropped by 40% and the Giulia by 24% over the same period. The one bright spot comes from the new Junior crossover, which recorded 22,598 sales across Europe between January and August, more than the Tonale, Stelvio and Giulia combined. As Alfa prepares replacements for the Stelvio and Giulia, Reuters reports that Alfa has delayed the next Stelvio to re-engineer it for hybrid powertrains.
Positioning against the Audi Q3 and BMW X1
The Tonale competes directly with the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, both of which offer broad line-ups and strong brand pull. Alfa’s response focuses on design distinctiveness, a tighter chassis set-up and a refined hybrid experience. The new 187bhp PHEV opens a second plug-in price point, which could broaden appeal for private and fleet buyers who want electrified running without the highest performance premium. The 266bhp PHEV still targets drivers who want stronger acceleration with all-wheel drive.
Price will play a key role. Alfa’s new entry trim and the promise of a lower starting price aim to pull the Tonale closer to rivals that start with more aggressive list prices and frequent deals. Buyers will watch for final PHEV range and CO2 numbers, which will shape ownership costs and tax bands in the UK. Alfa has not published these figures yet, so comparisons on running costs will need to wait.
What the design changes signal for Alfa’s brand direction
The Tonale’s front-end redesign does more than update a single model. It lines up the SUV with the visual language of the Junior crossover, which has become Alfa’s top seller in Europe this year. The broader shield grille, more pronounced lower intake and GTAm-inspired side intakes point to a sportier, more recognisable face across the range.
That coherence matters as Alfa rebuilds momentum. The brand needs clear differentiation in a crowded SUV field. With the Tonale’s crisper look, widened stance and revised hybrid software, Alfa signals a focus on driving character and modernised efficiency. The updates align with the brand’s push to blend heritage-inspired style with the practical demands of electrified family transport.
Wrap-up
Alfa Romeo’s Tonale facelift lands with a cleaner look, a broader plug-in hybrid offer and a keener entry point. The 187bhp and 266bhp PHEVs, the 173bhp mild hybrid, and the widened track address performance, efficiency and handling in one sweep. New trim planning and interior options aim to sharpen value and appeal. The move comes at a pivotal time: UK registrations lag key rivals, and European sales have fallen this year, even as the Junior crossover surges. Alfa has not yet confirmed pricing or PHEV range figures, which will shape real-world appeal, especially for fleet buyers. With this refresh, Alfa seeks to steady the Tonale’s footing while it prepares the next wave of electrified models, including a reworked Stelvio. Buyers now wait for final specs and on-the-road prices to judge whether the updates close the gap to the Q3 and X1.
