Skip advert
Advertisement

Alfa Romeo Tonale gets a supercar-inspired refresh and a price cut

Alfa has given its small family SUV a small nip-and-tuck for 2026, with a revised cabin and exterior

The facelifted Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV is now on sale in the UK starting from £37,665 – a tenner short of £1,000 cheaper than the old car. For this mid-life update, Alfa’s hybrid-powered SUV gets more aggressive styling, plus a refreshed interior to bring it more in line with rivals such as the Volvo XC40, BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale trims and specifications

Alfa Romeo has done away with the entry-level ‘Sport’ model, simply calling base versions of the Tonale… ‘Tonale’. Even this gets matrix LED headlights which flank the redesigned ‘Scudetto’ grille, as well as 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, there’s part-leatherette trim, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera are also standard fit.

The mid-spec Ti starts from £41,265 and adds most of the luxuries one would expect from a premium family SUV such as this and distinguishes itself with darkened exterior styling cues and larger 18-inch wheels. Ti models also benefit from black or red heated and cooled leather seats, a heated steering wheel that sits in front of aluminium paddle shifters, and built-in sat nav.

Advertisement - Article continues below

For those wanting to enhance the Tonale’s sporty looks further, there’s the range-topping Veloce model, which is priced from £43,565. This turns up the wick with 19-inch wheels, red Brembo brake calipers and twin exhausts for plug-in hybrid models. Adaptive suspension should also allow drivers to choose from either a sporty or supple ride.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

At launch, for a limited time, buyers also have the choice of the Alfa Romeo Tonale Sport Speciale, which features huge 20-inch wheels, a gloss-black and silver bodykit and, on the inside, black and white Alcantara seats. Despite these upgrades, the Sport Speciale comes in cheaper than the Veloce, starting from £42,870.

Engines and powertrains

As before, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is available with a mild-hybrid petrol engine or, for roughly £6,000 extra, plug-in hybrid power. The former is rated at 173bhp, and powers the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Mild-hybrid models take eight-and-a-half seconds to sprint from 0-62mph and Alfa says they are also capable of 49.6mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle.

The 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, boasts all-wheel-drive grip and puts out a meatier 265bhp. As such, the 0-62mph time is slashed to 6.6 seconds and, thanks to a 15.5kWh battery, the PHEV is capable of up to 38.5 miles of pure-electric driving. Both engines are unchanged from the pre-facelift car.

Exterior and interior

The key visual changes to the outside of Alfa Romeo Tonale focus on a new front end. This includes the aforementioned subtly reshaped ‘Scudetto’ grille and four new vents around it, with a more aggressive lower bumper. The grille itself is inspired by the brand’s 33 Stradale supercar, with concave slats that sit within a new floating frame. These new elements don’t completely change the front-end design, but they do give the model some added aggression. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Alfa Romeo says the new model has a wider track and a more focused stance than the old car. There are no changes to the body as a result, but the car does appear to sit on the road with more attitude. There’s also a trio of bright new colour options, including Rosso Brera, Verde Monza and Giallo Ocra (red, green and yellow respectively).

Structural changes inside are limited to a new centre console that features a smaller rotary gear selector in place of the old model’s lever, but the aluminium paddles behind the steering wheel are retained. Other changes inside include new trim for the seats and dashboard, plus more contrasting stitching around the dash and doors. 

The digital displays are the same as other Alfa Romeo models, with a 10.5-inch touchscreen forming the main interface that controls the media, navigation and smartphone mirroring apps. This system is somewhat rudimentary, but all the key elements are in there, including embedded navigation on higher-spec models. 

Fans of physical controls will be happy to see key climate controls are still off-screen, placed in a row of buttons lining the base of the screen. Alfa Romeo’s DNA drive-mode switch and a physical volume roller are also still fitted. 

Ahead of the driver is an additional 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, which takes the shape of traditional Alfa Romeo cowelled dials. As well as offering a full map view and expanded trip info, drivers can also choose a ‘heritage’ layout, which displays two round dials inspired by the displays in iconic Alfa Romeo models from the seventies. 

Get the latest and best car news and reviews, first! Follow Auto Express on Google today.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him presenting videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car Deal of the Day: Alfa Romeo Tonale is an Italian stallion for just £253 a month
Alfa Romeo Tonale - front angled

Car Deal of the Day: Alfa Romeo Tonale is an Italian stallion for just £253 a month

As family SUVs go, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is easily one of the most stylish around. It’s our Deal of the Day for 12 February.
News
12 Feb 2026
Alfa Romeo Tonale review
Alfa Romeo Tonale facelift - front tracking

Alfa Romeo Tonale review

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a stylish compact premium SUV with slick tech and good practicality
In-depth reviews
11 Feb 2026
New Alfa Romeo Tonale 2025 facelift review: improved looks, but that’s about it
Alfa Romeo Tonale facelift - front tracking

New Alfa Romeo Tonale 2025 facelift review: improved looks, but that’s about it

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is more stylish than before, but we've been left yearning for more improvements
Road tests
30 Oct 2025

Most Popular

New Citroen 2CV: icon to be reborn for the electric era, and it’s coming soon
Citroen 2CV exclusive image 2026

New Citroen 2CV: icon to be reborn for the electric era, and it’s coming soon

The planets are aligned! Retro design buzz and rules promoting small EVs will see Citroen's most famous car rebooted
News
30 Mar 2026
Kia EV2 review
Alastair Crooks with the Kia EV2

Kia EV2 review

Cool styling, an efficient powertrain, surprising space - the Kia EV2 is a solid new entry in the small EV market
In-depth reviews
1 Apr 2026
New Renault Twingo 2026 review: a brilliant electric city car
Jordan Katsianis with the Renault Twingo

New Renault Twingo 2026 review: a brilliant electric city car

The new Renault Twingo EV is clever, good-looking and a delight to drive
Road tests
31 Mar 2026

Find a car with the experts