Text by Tom Appel
2025 Alfa Romeo Veloce
Class: Compact Crossover
Country of Manufacture: Italy
Color: Alfa Rosso
Miles driven: 111
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 266-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Observed fuel economy: 23.1 mpg
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 21/29/24 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $36,495 (not including $1995 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($695), Premium Package ($2000), Veloce Package ($1000), Power Moonroof ($1400), Harman Kardon-brand premium audio system ($1000), 20-inch alloy wheels ($2000), additional key fob ($40)
Price as tested: $46,625
Audio-System Brand
Harman Kardon
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: plenty of power, fun to drive
The good: Comfortable front-row seating, upscale cabin trim
The not so good: Engine can sound coarse, rear-seat space tight for adults
Review
Auto enthusiasts can be pretty persnickety about things. BMW fans, for example, dismiss the German maker’s subcompact X1 and X2 crossovers as “fake” BMWs, this because they ride on front-drive architecture shared with Mini. Authentic BMWs, it seems, should be based on rear-drive bits—never mind that most BMWs sold in the U.S. are equipped with AWD.
We’re drawing from a smaller fan base now, but, Alfa Romeo fans have a similar bone to pick with the Italian carmaker. Seems the new subcompact Tonale crossover is not of royal lineage.
Unlike Alfa’s other models, the Giulia small sedan and Stelvio small crossover, both of which are built on Stellantis’ “Giorgio” architecture, which also underpins the Maserati Grecale crossover, the Tonale shares its roots with such common fare as the Dodge Hornet, and Jeep Compass. The Tonale architecture, known internally as “FCA Small Wide”, is flexible enough to host even a small pickup truck sold in South America, but it is rather pedestrian stuff, and hardly the makings of a sporty, European, luxury crossover. Hence the pushback.
So, without the pedigree, does the Tonale deserve floor space in Alfa Romeo dealerships alongside its Maserati-blooded companion models? We’d say “yes,’ because like the BMW X1 and X2, the Tonale is a delight to drive, and is also tuned in the same spirit as other Alfas, yet can be had for much less money.
New in America for the 2024 model year, the Tonale was initially offered only in plug-in hybrid trim, featuring a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine mated with an electric motor for a combined system output of 285 horsepower. New for 2025 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four that, though rated at just 266 horsepower, provides a vastly improved drive experience—and is absolutely the engine you want in your Tonale. More on our road test in a moment.
For 2025, the non-hybrid Tonale is offered in three trim levels:
- Base ($39,785)
- Veloce ($42,930)
- Intensa Edition ($48,480)
All trim levels include standard AWD.
The Veloce adds to the base model’s equipment roster 19-inch alloy wheels (up from 18s), more robust brakes with red calipers, real-leather seating trim, paddle shifters, premium audio system, enhanced drive modes, and a number of other features and upgrades.
Intensa models enjoy additional luxury upgrades, including Alcantara (faux suede) trim, and red-accent upholstery stitching.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Tonale Veloce in Alfa Rosso and equipped with the Premium Package (which brings full-leather seating and ventilated front seats). Including destination charge, our test car came to $46,625.
As we noted earlier, we did not find the plug-in hybrid version of the Tonale an especially compelling small crossover. The tiny 4-cylinder engine felt and sounded crude, and would kick in unexpectedly during acceleration with a pronounced slam. The arrangement was frankly crude, and panned by consumers. You can read our review of a hybrid Tonale here.
The turbocharged engine, also available in the Dodge Hornet, is something of a revelation, unlocking the Tonale’s true sporty character. The engine isn’t entirely smooth, but feels and sounds exotic, and serves up easily accessed power. The standard 9-speed automatic transmission pairs well with the engine, providing refined, timely, clean shifts. In short, the drivetrain provides useful and satisfying power.
Better perhaps than the power, is the Tonale’s well-tuned suspension. While the smallest Alfa may not be of true Italian lineage, it does handle well, and feels great being hustled around corners. The brakes, too, impress, with quick response and strong stopping power.
Gimmicky but effective is the Tonale’s “DNA” drive model selector.
The drive-mode selector (where D stands for Dynamic, N for Natural, and A for Advanced Efficiency) allows drives to choose between sporty, normal, and economy settings, respectively. Unlike in many vehicles, the DNA setup does meaningfully impact ride and handling, and is something only a little more than a gimmick. Also, unlike many drive-mode arrangements, we found the sportiest setting more entertaining than annoying, which isn’t always the case.
Once the fun driving is over and you’ve hit the open highway, the Tonale settles down nicely for the long haul, with a generally compliant ride, and surprisingly quiet cabin. Firm and comfy seats help make the most of extended road trips.
Inside, the Tonale ranks among the best-dressed crossovers in its size and price class. The combination of real leather, faux suede, and satin-finish metal accents presents as premium and sophisticated, and is certainly befitting the Alfa Rome marque.
Here’s some additional news: As this review is posted, Alfa is offering incentives of up to $5000 on New Tonales, which makes the small Italian crossover something of a bargain. Even at its list price, our test car comes in significantly less expensive than like-size offerings from the German luxury makers.
So, no, the Tonale is not a “real” Alfa Romeo in the strictest sense, but it does ride and drive like one, and—in our opinion—looks great, too. Is driving a Tonale a little like wearing a fake Rolex? Maybe a little, but with the money you save going Italian instead of German in this class, you might be able to pick up a real Rolex—or two or three fakes. It’s really up to you.
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2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
