Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Volvo XC40: hot vs cold

When a new model enters a market segment, it's always exciting. When the product in question bears the Alfa Romeo signature, it's doubly so, because we know how much passion is at the heart of all the brand's creations.

That's why we're talking about hot vs. cold with the comparison we're interested in here, because at Volvo, even though they make great cars, they're "cold". You buy a Volvo for its logic and practicality. You buy an Alfa Romeo product for the same reasons, in addition to a passion for cars.

And with the Tonale, you get the whole package, a well thought-out, practical and fun-to-drive model. And what can I say about its design, which generates emotions.

In fact, that's probably the biggest difference between the two models. While the XC40 is elegant and classic, the Tonale makes a statement with a breathtaking design and a unique Alfa Romeo signature, the grille that is unique in the industry. The theme continues on the sides where everything seems more calculated with the XC40, while with the Tonale, everything seems drawn by the wind and sensuality; this model is all curves while the Volvo's cut seems to have been calculated by mathematicians.

In short, excitement is found with the Tonale.

The performance too. While the XC40 offers decent performance, you'll be thrilled behind the wheel of the Italian representative. Under the hood is a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 285 horsepower thanks to electrical power. It even offers 50 kilometers in all-electric mode when fully charged.

Finally, all of the above translates into reality behind the wheel; you'll enjoy every moment of the Tonale's direct response, strong feel and handling that keeps you engaged. With the XC40, it's more Cartesian. It's efficient, but lacks emotion.

That's basically what differentiates our two models. For us, these are the elements that will make the choice easier!