Alfa Romeo Tonale

[Shnozz]

So I am needing a new (to me - s/h) car in Spain. I had never even heard of these until a mate had one as a rental. I thought it was a Stelvio at first glance and then saw the badge on the back. What a handsome beast it is for the mini-SUV sector.

Driving is mainly around my local town with the odd airport run (about 25 miles e/w) and trips to the beach. Annually we might do more of a long trip around Spain but that tends to be done in something other than the town car.

A mini-SUV seems the sensible choice. We rarely need space for a bigger SUV as visitors tend to only bring cabin cases rather than full on suitcases. Being up a little higher would be nice, as would the clearance for some driveways/hills/high kerbs etc.

I had been looking at the usual contenders:- Qashqui, Peugeot 3008, Rav 4 etc. However, having seen these Tonales the looks alone entice me that direction. The fact they have a hybrid that the electric side can cover the town mileage is a bonus.

Any owners here who care to comment and/or advise? Cars in Spain are notoriously expensive and I will also have limited dealer support where I am.

I have done my youtube research and nothing has put me off thus far...

[AstonV12V]

I had one as a loaner while our Stelvio QF was in for service.
It was a hybrid thing and frankly quite hateful to drive on country roads. Shuffling between regen and drive was far from seemless and the whole thing felt gutless. I'm guessing it was a 1.3 and was not fully charged. It certainly didn't feel like 270HP
I'd strongly recommend trying one before parting with any cash and make sure you experience it in a discharged state!
Shame as it's quite a nice looking thing

[wal 45]

We tried one as a replacement for our current car, echo the view above and my Wife hated it on the test drive...liked the looks but that was about it. Nothing against Alfa as I own and have owned a number of Italian cars but we just didn't like the Tonale at all.

[GoreyC]

I owned one for 3 years so im probably best to comment here. I had the PHEV Veloce, it was a good car in that it was comfy, had everything you would need and it handled pretty decently well for what it was in dynamic mode. BUT and this is a big BUT, if you cannot keep it charged its dog slow and absolutely gutless and shocking on fuel. On a long run because the battery runs out the economy tanks, averaged about 38mpg on a 100+ mile journey. To put that into perspective my old 987 Boxster achieved better on the same run (42MPG) and even more context, my giulia Quadrifoglio does 38mpg on a run! And that is double the BHP.

It was okay comfort wise but not the best, could only go 2hours without starting to feel stiff vs the boxster where i went 6hours before needing a break and that was only for fuel/food.

Worth noting also there was a recall on a leaking seal which is a full day in the workshop for them to do under warranty.

Your real world ev range will be at best 35miles and at worst 20 (weather depending)

As it was a company car (of my choosing) it was good but at what would have been £51,000 spec price i wouldn't have spent my own money on it. Any questions about it just ask me

[theplayingmantis]

Unpopular and reasons for that. Avoid. Will be revised imminently