Surprise: the new Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV is a little less "Veloce" than its predecessor

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We announced it yesterday: Alfa Romeo has already unveiled the restyling of its Tonalejust three years after its launch. An unexpected but strategic facelift to relaunch the compact SUV in the face of the Junior's growing popularity. And while yesterday we were hailing a sharper design, a more attractive interior and premium-level technology, today it's time to take a look at the technical specifications. And then... surprise!

Yes, Alfa RomeoWe're sorry, but we've made a detailed comparison of the figures for the old Tonale and the new 2026 vintage (MY26), and there's plenty to raise an eyebrow at.

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The Tonale PHEV loses a little of its "Veloce".

That's the first surprise: the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version now boasts 270 hp, compared with 280 hp previously. That's ten horsepower less, but that's not all: the combustion engine is down from 180 to 150 horsepower. The result? The 0 to 100 km/h time is down from 6.2 to 6.6 seconds, and top speed drops from 206 to 195 km/h.

In terms of efficiency, Alfa Romeo boasts CO₂ emissions now compliant with the new Euro 6E-Bis standard, but electric range in the WLTP combined cycle is down: 69 km yesterday, compared with 61 km today. The same applies to combined fuel consumption, which climbs from 1.1 - 1.4 l/100 km to 3.4 - 3.7 l/100 km depending on version. In short, the Tonale PHEV 2026 promises to be more efficient, but also a little less "Veloce" in practice.

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Tonale PHEVTonale PHEV MY26
Anti-pollution standardEuro 6Euro 6E-Bis
Combined power280 hp270 hp
Thermal motor power180 hp150 hp
Thermal motor torque270 Nm270 Nm
Electric motor power122 hp122 hp
Battery capacity15.5 kWh15.5 kWh
0 to 100 km/h6.2 sec6.6 sec
Maximum speed206 km/h195 km/h
Weight1835 kg1835 kg
CO2 emissions (gr/km)30 – 3477 – 83
Electric range WLTP combined cycle69 km61 km
Total autonomy600 km600 km
Combined fuel consumption (l/100km)1.1 – 1.43.4 – 3.7

MHEV more powerful, but not faster

The good news is that the mild hybrid version (MHEV) gains 15 hp in combined power, from 160 to 175 hp. However, this increase is not due to the combustion engine, which remains at 160 hp; it's simply a change in calculation, enabling the power of the combustion engine and the electric motor to be combined. 0 to 100 km/h and top speed are unchanged, and fuel consumption and emissions remain very similar. Co2 emissions, on the other hand, are better (and therefore less taxable).

Tonale MHEVTonale MHEV MY26
Anti-pollution standardEuro 6Euro 6E-Bis
Combined power160 hp175 hp
Thermal motor power160 hp160 hp
Thermal motor torque240 Nm240 Nm
Electric motor power20 hp20 hp
Battery capacity0.77 kWh0.77 kWh
0 to 100 km/h8, sec8.8 sec
Maximum speed212 km/h212 km/h
Weight1525 kg1525 kg
CO2 emissions (gr/km)142 – 127128 – 133
Combined fuel consumption (l/100km)5.7 – 6.25.7 – 5.9

Diesel remains the most stable

Unsurprisingly, the good old 130 hp 1.6 diesel remains virtually unchanged. Same power, same torque (320 Nm), same 0 to 100 km/h (10.9 s). The only notable difference is in weight, which is down slightly, and CO₂ emissions, which now oscillate between 138 and 144 g/km, still within the Euro 6E-Bis standard. The diesel therefore remains the safe bet for heavy-duty drivers, a rarity in the Alfa Romeo range, but one that retains its appeal here.

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Tonale DieselTonale Diesel MY26
Anti-pollution standardEuro 6Euro 6E-Bis
Thermal motor power130 hp130 hp
Thermal motor torque320 Nm320 Nm
0 to 100 km/h10.9 sec10.9 sec
Maximum speed194 km/h195 km/h
Weight1620 kg1580 kg
CO2 emissions (gr/km)137 – 147138 – 144
Combined fuel consumption (l/100km)5.2 – 5.95.3 – 5.5

Slower, but perhaps more accomplished?

On paper, you could almost say that the Tonale MY26 takes a small step backwards. Less horsepower, slightly lower performance and reduced electric range. But don't stop there: Alfa Romeo promises greater real-world efficiency, significant software updates and a smoother driving experience.

Add to this a more attractive interior, and new technologies such as a 360° HD camera with drone view, and this restyling may well prove more interesting than it seems.

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So yes, the Tonale PHEV is a little less "Veloce" on paper. Alfa Romeo has chosen to sacrifice a few horsepower to comply with the stricter Euro 6E-bis standard. See you in a week's time for our full test of the new Tonale MY26, and see if, behind the wheel, it remains true to the Alfa Romeo spirit of driving pleasure.


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5 reviews on “Surprise, le nouveau SUV Alfa Romeo Tonale est un peu moins « Veloce » que l’ancien”

  1. Anyway, the Tonale isn't a sports car, so it doesn't make much difference. At best, it's an SUV offering decent performance.
    The Tonale PHEV is heavy, and weight has always been the enemy of performance.
    The design is improved and not too bad, maybe it can help convince against the rather ugly competitors.

    Reply
    • In any case, unless you go to the Autobahns, you can't really exceed certain speeds in France and in all neighboring countries, except Germany (and even then, these are only certain stretches of autobahns with no limits, although many do have them).
      The Tonale is designed for leisurely driving, just like its competitors like the BMW X1.
      What makes little sense is that the 130 hp diesel model has the same top speed as the 270 hp PHEV.

      Reply
  2. Warum also sollte ich mich für den Nachfolger entscheiden? Außer einer optischen Retusche hat sich nach rund 3 Jahren kaum etwas geändert. Die Leistungsdaten sind bei meinem Mildhybrid kaum besser, als die mancher Vito-Modelle. Wenn ich auf der Autobahn einem Transporter Platz machen muss, dann braucht sich Alfa Romeo als Marke keine Gedanken über seine Zukunft machen. Nach dem Alfa 166 war es das zweite Mal, dass ich mich für einen Alfa Romeo entschieden hatte und auf den Ruf vergangener Tage vertraut hatte. Jetzt bleibt nur noch die Hoffnung...

    Reply
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  4. The Tonale has never been an "Alfiste" car, so this drop in performance won't be perceived by anyone. If it looks better from a standstill and gives the illusion of being an Arese production, so much the better. But an SUV is still an SUV.

    Reply

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