Latest news with #Tonale
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Alfa Romeo Tonale Owner in Canada Reports Rust After 1 Year, Dealer Declines Repair
It's disappointing to find a flaw on your brand-new car after just one year of ownership, but it's even worse if your dealership downplays it and refuses to fix it. This is what Reddit user r/AlfaRomeo says happened to them when they reported tailgate rust to their dealership. It seems they're not the only owner affected, and that a design flaw is causing the issue. As you can see in the photo above, the paintwork is bubbling up and flaking off on the inside of the tailgate of this Vancouver driver's Tonale, near the backup camera, and the metal is already exposed, so it's probably just a matter of time before it rusts through. The owner says that the way the drainage channel is built, and with the two plastic stoppers capping it, at least a quarter of an inch of water or more has to accumulate before the water starts to drain out. The dealership has pronounced the condition "100% normal" and says the warranty doesn't cover it. For the record, the Alfa Romeo warranty states that, for damage that does not appear on an outer panel that's visible when you walk around the vehicle, the coverage is three years, but only if it has rusted through and perforated the panel, which is not (yet) the case here. The dealership shrugged it off, showing the owner photos of other Tonales with the same problem. We see only two options for this owner. Take it to court and perhaps get other Tonale owners involved to get a class action going, or just drill proper draining holes to affect a permanent fix, and repair or rust-treat the area out of pocket. So far, Stellantis has not issued a formal response, even after being approached by our Canadian friends at Driving. We'll be keeping an eye on this one. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Alfa Romeo scores triple win at Best Cars Awards 2025
Alfa Romeo has added another feather to its cap, picking up three major honours in the latest Auto Motor und Sport's Best Cars readers' poll. Looking for a new or used Alfa Romeo? Find it here with CARmag! The awards were handed out during the 836th anniversary celebrations of the Port of Hamburg, where the Italian brand's current line-up took centre stage at the city's historic Fish Auction Hall. The Giulia, Tonale and Stelvio each topped their respective categories in the long-running survey, which drew votes from more than 94 000 readers. The Giulia was named the best Midsize Import car, marking the eighth time it's claimed the title. The Tonale, Alfa Romeo's first compact SUV, won in the Compact SUV/Off-road Vehicle Import category, while the Stelvio came out on top in the Large SUV/Off-road Vehicle Import segment. Simonetta Cerruti, head of Alfa Romeo Enlarged Europe, accepted the awards in person. She credited the brand's continued success to the strong emotional connection fans have with Alfa Romeo, as well as the brand's commitment to blending Italian design with dynamic driving characteristics. This year's Best Cars awards featured 462 candidates across 13 categories, including a dedicated group for imported models. Alfa Romeo's clean sweep in the SUV and midsize segments signals strong support from German car enthusiasts, especially notable in a market dominated by domestic manufacturers. Related: Next-Gen Alfa Romeo Stelvio Rendered as Svelte SUV The award ceremony was timed to coincide with the start of Hamburg's Port Anniversary festival. All three winning models were on display throughout the weekend, giving an estimated 1.5 million visitors a closer look at the Italian brand's design and engineering. While the Italian marque has faced stiff competition in recent years, particularly in the growing SUV market, this recognition shows that the brand's distinct approach continues to resonate. With a reputation for sporty performance and bold styling, the Giulia, Tonale and Stelvio each represent a different slice of the Alfa Romeo experience, yet all share the same core identity that the company has cultivated over more than a century. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag! The post Alfa Romeo Scores Triple Win at Best Cars Awards 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Alfa Romeo celebrates 100 000th Tonale SUV built
Alfa Romeo's opening gambit into the world of electrification with the Tonale has reached a significant production milestone globally, with 100 000 units rolling off the Naples-based Pomigliano d'Arco production line since its inception in 2022. Looking for a new or used set of wheels? Find it here with CARmag! The model is the opening gambit for the Italian automaker into a new electrified era. The exact vehicle in question to signify this milestone was a red Sprint model destined for the Italian market, so it won't ever be seen on local roads, but it does represent a stylish niche offering in the premium SUV segment locally. Related: Road Test Figures: BMW M3 Touring Launched in 2022, the Tonale was Alfa Romeo's first step into hybrid territory, which was globally offered across three levels of trim. Opening the line-up was the Sprint, then Veloce, and Intensa. Global engine options range from turbo diesel powertrains to more potent plug-in hybrid alternatives with all-wheel drive. The new Intensa special edition adds 20-inch gold-accented wheels, Alcantara interiors, and a 470W Harman Kardon sound system. Related: LONG-TERM WRAP-UP: Ford Territory 1.8T Trend AT While South Africa doesn't get the full range, the Tonale has been available locally with a 1.5-litre turbocharged hybrid engine in either Ti or Veloce trims and is priced between R811 899 and R895 129 going up against premium rivals from Germany and Japan. With this milestone, Alfa Romeo has also highlighted some of its headline accolades since its inception. It's scooped up awards across Europe, the US, and Latin America – including Green SUV of the Year in the US and Best Design 2025 in Chile. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag! The post Alfa Romeo Celebrates 100 000th Tonale SUV Built appeared first on CAR Magazine.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
View Interior Photos of the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale
For 2025, Alfa Romeo is adding a new base version of the Tonale that lowers the cost of entry by some $10,000. Cloth seats are standard, with perforated leather an option. The Tonale comes with a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Alfa's DNA button activates Dynamic, Natural, or Stop/Start Off drive modes. Continue scrolling to see more interior pictures of the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tested: 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV
A gas-electric SUV like the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV sounds promising on paper. There's enough electric range for most commutes; it does zero to 60 in under six seconds, offers standard AWD, and is fitted with sophisticated active dampers. The signature Alfa trefoil grille is present. So are some intricately designed wheels, a chrome-tipped dual exhaust, and the same column-mounted paddle shifters you'll find in a Giulia Quadrifoglio. But all the window dressing and specs aside, the Tonale's underpinnings trace back to the less-than-exotic Jeep Compass. Our expert editors test every vehicle we review. Read more about how we test and review cars here. Alfa Romeo offers a traditional 2.0-liter turbo engine for the nonhybrid Tonale, but the Tonale PHEV uses an odd-duck powertrain that combines a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-four that drives the front wheels with an electric motor on the rear axle, making it all-wheel drive. Working together, the engine and motor deliver a combined peak of 285 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque, allowing this approximately 4130-pound SUV to accelerate with the level of excitement expected from an Alfa. But the split powertrain creates some strangeness. Drive passes to the front axle through a six-speed automatic gearbox, but as the only electric motor sits at the back, the Tonale PHEV is rear-wheel drive in its electric-only mode. While a 15.5-kWh battery pack provides up to 33 miles of EV-only range, performance is also limited by the electric motor's 121-hp output working against a relatively heavy car. Vehicle tested: 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Tributo Italiano eAWD Base Price: $53,990 Price as tested: $58,125 Location: Royal Oak, Michigan Engine: 1332cc turbocharged inline-four, single electric motor Power: 285 hp (total system peak) Torque: 347 lb-ft (total system peak) 0-60 mph: 6.0-sec Transmission: 6-speed auto, all-wheel drive Weight: 4133 lbs EPA MPG: 77 MPGe As befits an Italian car, the Tonale's powertrain makes the most sense when the driver's foot is against the firewall and the engine and electric motor are working together. Alone on either account, the individual parts are a letdown. The tiny four-banger is buzzy, and the Tonale doesn't have enough sound deadening to filter out its vibrations. I quickly discovered it needs revs to provoke any meaningful acceleration, and the six-speed auto holds gears for longer than my ears wanted to listen to its industrial soundtrack. Conversely, driven in the Tonale's electric-only mode—"A" on its DNA dynamic selector—the SUV's acceleration felt dreadfully slow. Even when trying to travel exclusively on battery power, I'd often accidentally cause the gas engine to fire up by pressing too hard on the accelerator in an attempt to find some acceleration. Our test car was the Tributo Italiano special edition, wearing relatively enormous 20-inch wheels and rubber-band-like Michelin Pilot Sport 4 all-season tires. The oversize wheels were no friend to the reality of American roads. Impacts on uneven concrete were jarring in the stiffest suspension setting. This Alfa may trace its roots to the humble Jeep Compass, but its chassis has none of the sop and plushness baked into the Jeep. At least Alfa makes use of the active dampers to help soften the ride up at the press of a button in the DNA selector, which makes it possible to keep the aggressive Dynamic powertrain settings but take some iron out of the suspension. Sadly, my hopes that the Tonale's flinty chassis character would translate to sharp handling were soon dashed. This is a crossover that drives around like it's on tippy-toes everywhere. Turn-in is quick from the fast steering rack, but there wasn't even the slightest hint of road feel through the wheel. Body roll did not feel excessive on the street, but stability control stepped in early and hard when I started to build up lateral g-forces, tugging the car back midcorner even when there was little discernible reason to intervene. The Tonale will deliver speed, but it doesn't feel as if it enjoys the process. The Alfa's friction brakes use large Brembo four-piston calipers in front, but the blend between regenerative and mechanical braking felt generations behind. Most sporty or performance-oriented hybrids offer a smooth transition in pedal feel, one that is often almost impossible to detect. Not the Tonale, which has a weirdly soft top of the pedal that brings very little deceleration, then a stiff second portion that doesn't take well to modulation. On the plus side, I never ran short of braking power, despite ragging on the little crossover as if it was wearing a Quadrifoglio badge. Alfa deserves some credit for making both the engine and electric motor behave as one motive force when asked to deliver their all. There's no scrabbling for traction from the front, as the electric motor keeps up just fine in the rear. The inline-four's buzzy nature gives way to a smoother exhaust note in the higher rpm range, but it's still nothing to get excited about. And despite those massive paddle shifters being present (and getting in the way of the turn-signal stalk), the six-speed's lethargic response to manual shifting discouraged their use. Thankfully, the "D" drive mode's shifting logic holds gears and downshifts under braking smartly. And when I was caught out in a higher gear, the electric motor's torque was always on tap for a quick burst of forward acceleration. The Tonale is the most livable and tech-friendly Alfa with the largest back seat and a competent infotainment system. This Tributo Italiano special-edition model classes up the already premium interior further with red stitching, a carbon-fiber-look trim, and "Tributo Italiano" embroidered on the headrests. The ambient lighting on the dash with the Alfa logo backlit is its marquee piece, but overall the cabin still struggled to justify what is a nearly $60,000 price. Unlike the Stelvio and Giulia, which use an Alfa-specific infotainment system (which could be politely termed hot garbage), the Tonale uses Stellantis's familiar UConnect 5. It's a breath of fresh air to have tech that doesn't suck in an Alfa for once. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work flawlessly, and the native infotainment is one of our favorites. The only frustration is how easy it is to mistap the smaller icons when you're on a rough road with the Tonale bounding around as it does. Some real Alfa goodness is found in the front seats, which are well bolstered but not too confining. The steering wheel doesn't fall into the common performance-car trap of being too thick and is ergonomically well placed and wrapped in nice-feeling leather. Alfa does well to supply physical buttons for most climate functions but falls short for the heated seats by leaving control of these, annoyingly, to the touchscreen. Strangely, the Tonale has a much more spacious back seat than the Stelvio, despite being about six inches shorter in overall length. The utility wins over the Stelvio continue with significantly more cargo space behind the rear seats, even though the Tonale's battery pack is stuffed into the floor in the center of the vehicle. Frankly, you should not. If you want to buy an Alfa Romeo SUV and enjoy a rewarding dynamic experience, then skip right past the Tonale and over to the larger Stelvio. Putting a plug-in hybrid powertrain into a small crossover is an impressive technical feat that few of Alfa's competitors care to offer, but the overall execution is lacking—the Stelvio is leagues more fun to drive, with the Tonale's only upside being its ability to cut gas costs. Is that the top priority for most Alfa buyers? The Tonale PHEV doesn't play the value game well, either, with its base starting price only about $3000 less than the Stelvio's entry point. Fully equipped like my $58,125 test car, the price advantage is negated. Of course, leasing could well sweeten the deal, with the possibility of the federal EV tax credit that is not available to those buying outright. Yet the Tonale PHEV's price is, honestly, less of a problem than other more glaring issues, like the underpowered electric motor, awkward proportions, and compromised driving experience. It felt particularly underwhelming given the knowledge of how stupendous Alfa's larger Giorgio-platform vehicles are. The BMW X2, Mercedes-Benz GLB, or Volvo XC40 all offer a superior luxury experience for a similar price. And unfortunately, this Alfa isn't one that can counter other arguments through stunning design or scintillating handling. Impressive 33 miles of electric range, enough for most daily use. Interior tech is the best of any Alfa. More interior space and better utility than the Stelvio. Both the electric motor and gasoline engine are anemic when working alone. Subpar handling, poor ride on rough roads. Poor transition from regen to friction braking. The classic dial display option for the digital instrument cluster is a nice throwback touch, and you can still put a digital speedo right in the center. Alfa reaching back to channel its heritage in a creative fashion makes you smile when you hop in the driver's seat, and the Tonale needs every ounce of charm it can get. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
