What are the differences between the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Tonale?

A new player has joined the Alfa Romeo product family this year. The Tonale SUV makes its debut this spring, offering yet another solution for fans of utility vehicles that offer the driving experience of a car.

Alfa Romeo does things differently.

Now the question on everyone's lips concerns the differences between the two models. Let's get down to the essential elements that make each SUV a unique experience.

The format

As you may have noticed from the model photos, the Tonale is smaller than the Stelvio. The company refers to each as a compact product, but in actual fact, that applies to the Stelvio, whereas the Tonale is a sub-compact model that's still very spacious. So much so, in fact, that you don't lose much cargo space with the Tonale.

The plug-in hybrid approach

Like the Tonale, the Stelvio is offered with two powertrains. Each benefits from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, a block that offers 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque with the Stelvio, 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with the Tonale. Where there's a big difference is with the second option.

The Stelvio offers pure performance, with a 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 delivering 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivers exhilarating performance.

With the Tonale, the emphasis is instead on plug-in hybrid technology, so this time we're offering a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Combined with a 15.5 kWh battery, the engine is able to offer more power than that of the base version, as the combined figures speak of 285 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. We're not outdone, either, as the power on offer enables the model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds. Plus an electric range of around 50 kilometers. Not so with the Stelvio.

Driving pleasure

With both models, the one constant is driving pleasure. It's part of Alfa Romeo's DNA to offer heartfelt experiences to those behind the wheel, and this is no exception. Whether you're behind the wheel of a Stelvio or a Tonale, you'll understand that this model has been tuned for performance. This is true and easy to verify under acceleration, but it's when you're on a twisty road that you really appreciate the work that's been done with the suspension elements.

All in all, we're faced with two very interesting models. For those who want a little more space, or a model with a spirited engine, the Stelvio may be more suitable, especially in the Quadrifoglio version. With the Tonale, on the other hand, you'll enjoy driving pleasure, performance and, above all, electric range.

A question of choice and taste. In both cases, you can't lose.