I was immediately impressed by the Tonale’s stunning looks. The car has a sleek and muscular shape, with distinctive Alfa Romeo features such as the triangular grille and the LED headlights. The Speciale trim that I drove came with 18-inch wheels and a metallic grey paint called Vesuvio Grey which enhanced its sporty appeal. The interior is equally stylish and well-equipped, with leather seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charging and a host of safety and driver assistance systems.

The Tonale is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 48V electric motor that adds 15 kW and 55 Nm of torque. The combined output is 133 kW and 295 Nm, which is decent but not exhilarating for a car that weighs over 1.5 tonnes. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is smooth and responsive. I also liked the three driving modes that the car offers: Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency, which alter the accelerator response, steering weight and hybrid assistance.

However, where the Tonale really stands out is in its handling. The car has a remarkably quick and precise steering that makes it easy to maneuver in tight corners and traffic. The suspension is firm but comfortable, and the body roll is well controlled. The car feels agile and stable on the road, and it can tackle different terrains with ease. The brakes are also strong and progressive, and the regenerative braking helps to save fuel and extend the battery life.

A downside of the Alfa Romeo Tonale is that it misses out on some features that are common in its rivals, such as all-wheel drive or a panoramic sunroof. The Tonale’s main drawback is its lack of character. The car does not have the same flair and passion that you would expect from an Alfa Romeo. The engine sound is disappointingly muted and uninspiring, and the hybrid system does not add much excitement or efficiency, to be honest. 

As one reviewer put it: “The Tonale is styled and engineered with more verve than most of its rivals. Not perfect, but no crossovers are”. I agree with this assessment: the Tonale is not perfect, but it’s better than most crossovers. It’s not a pure Alfa Romeo either, but it’s closer than you might think.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a good-looking and well-rounded compact SUV that offers a lot of value for money. It is fun to drive, practical and safe, and it has a distinctive style that sets it apart from the crowd. However, it is not a thrilling or innovative car that will make your heart race or your jaw drop. It is a sensible choice for those who want a premium SUV with a touch of Italian flair, but not for those who seek pure emotion and performance from an Alfa Romeo.

Our tested Alfa Romeo Tonale Speciale retails for R799, 900.

On the Veloce and Super, a dual-pane sunroof and navigation are now standard. QV and Quadrifoglio models now have a standard limited-slip differential. Advanced driver assistance systems have been repriced and made available across both vehicle lines. Several new exterior colours are added for 2021, including Trofeo White.

20-inch wheels are also offered on Stelvio SUV trims. Alfa Romeo says the Giulia continues to have a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution setting a benchmark for performance sedans. It gets power from a standard engine producing 206 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. The basic trims can reach 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. All-wheel-drive is available on all trims.

There are three driving modes along for the ride, during our launch drive of the models, ranging from ‘Dynamic’ to ‘Natural’ to ‘Advanced Efficiency’ accessed via the ‘DNA’ rotary controller on the centre console.

But how can I describe the vehicles? They have gorgeous lines, functional cabin, and outstanding chassis tuning. If (when) the car gets sideways on you, its ultra-quick and well-weighted electric power steering and direct suspension feel are right there beside you to catch and correct with a minimum of effort – as long as you are paying attention.

Quadrifoglio models bring even more performance. Both use a 375 kW, 2.9-liter bi-turbo V6 pushing the Giulia Quadrifoglio to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and pushing the all-wheel-drive Stelvio to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Giulia Veloce is priced at R989 900 and goes up to R1 599 900 for the QV. Stelvio Super is set at R1 159 900 and goes up to R1 749 900 for Quadrifoglio models.

The Tonale is Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid

Electrification waits for no automaker, and Alfa Romeo is finally jumping onboard the battery train. The Tonale has the distinction of being the brand’s first plug-in hybrid, pairing a petrol internal-combustion engine with an electric drivetrain. However Alfa Romeo is playing coy with the actual details, beyond the fact that the gas engine is up front and the electric part is at the rear.

How big a petrol engine does it have? We don’t know yet. How many electric motors? Alfa isn’t saying. How much power will the whole thing deliver? That, my friend, is a mystery.

Meanwhile that vital figure plug-in hybrid buyers always want to know, just how long it will go on a charge under electric power alone, is also unstated. Alfa Romeo just isn’t ready to say.

The Tonale cabin sees a big tech upgrade

The current range of Alfa Romeo cars have fairly compact infotainment displays, operated by a circular control wheel. The Tonale, though, kicks things up to a far more technological level.

There’s a 12.3-inch digital cluster for the driver, replacing analog with a more flexible, customizable display. In the center console, meanwhile, there’s now a 10.25-inch touchscreen. That gets a new infotainment system to play with, including two new features for connected motoring.

Alfista is an in-vehicle app which promises to link drivers to lifestyle features around the car and the brand. That includes news and updates, along with access to different events, and even a way to win tickets to VIP Alfa Romeo-sponsored events. Paddock, meanwhile, is an in-vehicle garage and market. There, the automaker says, owners will be able to buy “the latest interior and exterior performance upgrades and equipment.”

As for space, Tonale is designed for four adults. There’s plenty of leather and Alcantara, paired with real aluminum and translucent backlit panels.

Tonale previews a production car to come

Alfa Romeo is calling Tonale a concept car, but it’s also clear that the automaker has a production version in mind. That’s likely to keep the general look of this compact SUV, though presumably lose some of the more show-friendly detailing like the slender side-mirrors and pop-out door handles. The interior, too, would undoubtedly be toned down.

When it might arrive at dealerships is unclear. Alfa Romeo is tight-lipped, unsurprisingly, though the general consensus is that the production Tonale could only be a handful of years out. Given how popular the SUV segment is right now, Alfa arguably can’t afford to wait too long to give the Stelvio a sibling.