In a world of really good—but really boring—SUVs, this week I bring you something exciting and beautiful: the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale (rhymes with Denali) All-wheel drive. This is a stylish compact luxury SUV that blends classic Italian design with modern technology while staying true to Alfa Romeo’s sporty heritage.
Unlike the plug-in hybrid Tonale I reviewed previously, the 2026 lineup for the U.S. simplifies things considerably. The Tonale now comes with a traditional gasoline engine and standard all-wheel drive, giving buyers a more conventional setup while still delivering the performance Alfa Romeo is known for.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 268-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Alfa Romeo’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system, which is standard on the Sport Speciale trim. Large, fixed aluminum shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel add to the driving experience and remind you that Alfa Romeo still builds vehicles meant to be driven, not just transported in. This truly is a driver’s vehicle with superb handling, especially going into tight turns where the temptation to speed up instead of slow down, is great.
On the road, the Tonale feels lively and responsive. Acceleration is strong for a compact luxury SUV taking you from 0-to-60 in just under 6-seconds, and the steering is quick and precise. The suspension does a good job balancing sporty handling with everyday ride comfort, making the Tonale equally enjoyable on winding back roads or during the daily commute.
The exterior design is unmistakably Alfa Romeo. The front end features the brand’s iconic triangular grille flanked by sleek 3+3 LED headlights, giving the Tonale a distinctive look day or night.
The sculpted hood highlights the Alfa Romeo badge front and center, while sharp LED lighting in the rear adds a modern touch. My test vehicle rode on striking 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and features white brake calipers, a rear spoiler, and just enough chrome along the bottom to look great.
Inside, the Tonale is very driver-focused and surprisingly upscale for a compact SUV. The Alcantara leather seats are a beautiful mix of black and pearl and are supportive and comfortable. Both front seats are power adjustable and heated. The Alfa Romeo logo is proudly displayed throughout the cabin, reinforcing the brand’s heritage. Stitching abounds throughout the cabin.
Like Alfa sports cars, the start button is mounted on the left side of the flat-bottom steering wheel, which takes some getting used to. When you fire it up, you’re greeted by a colorful 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that is easy to read and configurable using the steering wheel controls.
At the center of the dash sits a smallish-by today’s standards-10.25-inch touchscreen that manages the infotainment system, navigation, Bluetooth, vehicle settings, and climate controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. The Tonale also uses Stellantis’ excellent Uconnect 5 system, which remains one of the most intuitive and responsive infotainment setups on the market. Alexa voice command capability is also included. While scrolling around the screen, be sure to check out the Performance Pages.
The center console houses a wireless phone charger along with Alfa Romeo’s DNA drive mode selector. These modes noticeably change the personality of the SUV. “Dynamic” sharpens throttle response and steering, “Natural” is ideal for everyday driving, and “Advanced Efficiency” tones things down for smoother and more economical driving.
Rear-seat space is somewhat limited, which is typical in the compact luxury segment, but it’s actually better than I expected. Headroom is good and rear passengers get their own air vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest.
Cargo space is respectable and includes a retractable cover to hide valuables. There is also additional storage beneath the cargo floor along with a 12-volt outlet.
Sport Speciale standard features include Alcantara leather seating, heated power front seats, a heated flat-bottom steering wheel with column-mounted aluminum shift paddles, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa voice assistant, wireless phone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, remote start, a hands-free power liftgate, aluminum sport pedals, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, front and rear park assist, and a rearview camera.
Options on my 2026 Alfa Romeo tester include the beautiful Grigio Gray exterior paint for $695, the $1,250 Customer Preferred Package 23G that adds Active Driving Assist, a surround-view camera system, ParkSense front, rear, and side park assist, automatic-dimming exterior mirrors, and a driver-seat memory function, along with a Harman Kardon premium audio system for $750 and the dual-mode active suspension system for $300. The dual-mode active suspension system electronically adjusts the shock absorbers in real time, giving the Tonale a softer ride in normal driving while tightening the suspension in Dynamic mode for sharper handling and better control through corners. This is one of the main reasons this SUV makes a great family SUV or change the suspension for a more engaging driving experience.
On the road, the Tonale delivers the driving personality you’d expect from Alfa Romeo. It handles corners confidently, feels planted at highway speeds, and remains quiet inside the cabin. For drivers who want a small luxury SUV that feels a little more engaging than the typical entry in this segment, the Tonale stands out, especially when you get to the price point.
What You'll Pay
Even as loaded as this one is, with everything you could want sans a power moon roof, MSRP is coming in at $48,290 before discounts, rebates, or incentives. Fuel economy is rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway, with a 24 MPG combined rating.
If you are in the market for smaller luxury SUVs but want something fun to drive and one you won’t see on every corner, the Tonale Sport Speciale should be on your shopping list, even if an Alfa Romeo didn’t come to mind, it’s a refreshing change in a world full of boring SUVs.