Unburdened of its mission as the standard-bearer of an electric Alfa Romeo brand, the subcompact Tonale SUV can finally live la dolce vita.

For 2026, Alfa’s tasty, turbocharged, gas-fired appetizer is lighter, cheaper, more fun. Less is more.

Gone is Alfa’s dream to be an Italian Tesla. Gone, too, is Tonale’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 30 miles of battery-only range that I flogged across Italy at the SUV’s introduction in 2023. I thought I might miss the hybrid’s electric motor and instant, 347 pound-feet of torque to complement a healthy 285 hp.

I was wrong.

Shedding 450 pounds without the 15.5 kWh electric battery/e-motor, my Tonale tester was powered by a simpler, 268-horse, turbocharged four-cylinder — meaning a healthy 12% weight loss (sounds like my New Year’s Resolution). The fitter physique translates to quicker lateral movements — crucial in any vehicle, but especially beneficial in a high-riding SUV. With just 17 fewer ponies, turbo-Tonale is as quick to 60 mph as the ol’ electrified model.

Less electrification also means less to pay, a rare discount in this age of high sticker prices driven by electrification and regulation.

The punchy turbo-4 entered Tonale’s lineup in 2025 as a cheaper option to the $48K plug-in, and for 2026 it’s the only choice. That means the Italy-assembled Tonale starts at $40,745 for the Sprint model and $46,495 for my terrific Sport Speciale model. That price would likely be cheaper were it not for the hefty (surely tariff-related) $3,250 destination fee.

That puts Tonale a healthy $5K under a comparable BMW X1/X2. For those who crave a sexy Italian in their driveway in a cul-de-sac full or German Audis, Bimmers and Mercs, the price provides even more temptation.

The ute gets its name from the Tonale Pass (Passo del Tonale) in north Italy’s Alps, which features writhing roads with switchbacks made for sporty fun. The mountains also mean slick roads come wintertime, and the all-wheel-drive Tonale was bred to meet those challenging conditions, too.

From Montreal to Michigan this winter, the AWD Alfa carried me through diabolical conditions: sub-5 degree temps, driving snow, pouring rain. It’s a reminder that, no matter how much sex appeal an SUV has, its first job is utility.

And this is one sexy SUV.

In a sea of sheet metal at January’s Detroit Auto Show, a blood red Tonale caught my eye. Diamond cut wheels, tri-lobo grille, heartbeat taillights. Bene!

You had me at Diamond Cut wheels. Alfa’s signature, phone-dial wheels on its recent-generation vehicles — from the 4C sports car to the Stelvio SUV — are a 10. The new-gen design takes it to 11. They are standard on my Sport Speciale model and an option on all trims, including the base $40K Sprint.

But you’ll be kicking those wheels if Tonale can’t perform in snow. AWD married to a beastly 268 horsepower/295-pound-feet of torque are made for churning white flakes.

Throw Bridgestone Blizzaks on the balanced Tonale as I did at Montreal’s Circuit ICAR winter test track, and the Tonale dances like Alysa Liu on ice thanks to AWD torque-vectoring and the winter rubber’s soft, grippy compound. Turning traction control off, I managed controlled slides around a snowy autocross course coupled with surprising braking ability.

Consider Blizzaks if you live in snowy north Michigan. But with just 6.5 inches of ground clearance, Tonale isn’t meant for off-road adventures like Winterfest at Holly Oaks ORV Park. Look to Stellantis’s Jeep brand for an off-road tool.

On Michigan public roads, however, Tonale’s innate balance and light weight (3,715 pounds) inspired confidence. In torrential February rains, the Alfa sliced through water on Michelin Pilot Sport all-seasons. When the rain inevitably turned to snow, Tonale did its job.

When the pavement dried out? Tonale is a hot hatch in SUV clothing.

Slip into the Tonale’s interior and its tools are at hand. Starter button on the steering wheel. Motorcycle-like gauge cluster. Drive mode selector on the dash. Ready to rock.

On a playful stretch of Oakland County two-lane, I matted the gas and Tonale took off like a nervous cat. The nine-speed transmission isn’t as smooth as, say, the Mazda CX30’s superb six-speed. At throttle tip-in, it seems momentarily startled, as if unsure which of its nine gears to select. Once hooked up, the Tonale accelerated smoothly in upper gears.

The heavy steering counters the driveline’s initial nerves. Dress Tonale in Rosso Brera Red, Monza Green, or my tester’s Milan White and you’ll turn heads.

Because no one will hear it coming. Curiously for a car that comes from a country that produced opera legends like Pavarotti and Caruso, the Tonale’s pipes are muted. Even in DYNAMIC mode, turbo-Tonale’s music at 5,000 RPM redline disappointed.

Drivers will have to satisfy themselves with the cabin performance toys: paddle shifters (in upper Speciale and Veloce trims), drive modes, plenty of ponies.

The base Sprint comes well equipped with standard features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, wireless charger and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Graduate to upper trims and more goodies come online, like those shifter paddles, panoramic roof, leather seats, and (ooooh) red leather thrones.

Load up the Tonale and it will push $50K. But in keeping with its value proposition, a base Sprint model with those irresistible Diamond Cut wheels is plenty satisfying at $42K.

Unlike its discontinued Hornet sibling (Dodge’s entry for the mainstream compact SUV market) made on the same platform, Tonale is a subcompact aimed at smaller, whip-quick luxe utes like the BMW X1/X2 and Audi Q3. That means a competitive 38 inches of rear legroom. Want a bigger rear seat like a BMW X3? Alfa has a compact Stelvio SUV it would like to show you. (Speaking of Stelvio, Tonale’s lower rear corners have cutouts for bazooka exhaust pipes like Stelvio’s Quadrifoglio high-performance model. Could there be an even hotter Tonale hatch in the future?)

Cargo space under the hot hatch is healthy. My Tonale Speciale tester came only with a tire repair kit, an oversight should you get a flat in, say, the Alps’ Tonale Pass. The good news is the space is big enough for a spare skinny wheel ‘n’ tire.

Like driver brands BMW and Mazda, Alfa is eager to translate its performance DNA to SUVs. The heavy, expensive plug-in drivetrain worked against that goal. No longer tethered to an uncertain EV future, the ’26 Tonale is focused on what Alfa does best: performance. Magnifico.

2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale

Vehicle type: All-wheel drive, five-passenger subcompact SUV

Price: Base: $40,745, including $3,250 destination charge ($46,495 Sport Speciale as tested)

Powerplant: 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-4 cylinder

Power: 268 horsepower, 295 pound-feet torque

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Performance: 0-60 mph, 6.5 seconds (mfr.); top speed, 140 mph; towing, 3,307 pounds

Weight: 3,715 pounds (as tested)

Range: EPA est. mpg 21 city/29 highway/24 combined; 391-mile gas range

Report card

Highs: Signature Alfa style inside and out; playful dynamics

Lows: Nervous throttle tip in; muted exhaust note

Overall: 4 stars

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