To boost its sales, Alfa Romeo has no choice but to invest in the most lucrative segment for premium brands: that of compact SUVs. With the Tonale, the manufacturer ventures into the field of the Audi Q3, BMW X2, Mercedes GLA and many others. We’ve listed them all!
With the Tonale, the little brother of the Stelvio, Alfa Romeo is venturing into land that is already well plowed. Others long before him did not wait to sow their SUV in the compact segment. Thus, its competitors will be German models such as the Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback, the BMW X1/X2 duo and the Mercedes GLA. But not only. The Alfa Romeo Tonale will also compete against the Jaguar E-Pace, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40. And in the Stellantis galaxy, the other premium DS brand, can oppose the Tonale with its DS7 Crossback, which straddles the C and D segments (compact and family).
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Tonale, a basis of Jeep Compass
The Milanese brand of the Stellantis group had not unveiled any new products for 5 years. To strengthen a range that is based only on the Giulia and Stelvio, Alfa Romeo launches the Tonale. This model, which uses the technical basis of the Jeep Compass, poses as the most imposing of the C segment with a format of 4.52 m long. Its trunk volume is pleasant with a capacity of 500 liters, which is reduced to 400 liters for the plug-in hybrid version. Its style clearly stems from that of the eponymous concept car presented at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 2019. The main change is the adoption of door handles, that is to say! The Alfa Romeo Tonale will have the mission of putting the brand back in the saddle, on board by the arrival of a digital interface and, under the hood, hybridization.
In this regard, all gasoline engines are electrified with standard hybridization totaling 130 or 160 hp and plug-in hybrid technology totaling 275 hp. This may seem too much vis-à-vis the Germanic rivals who are rather around 220 / 245 hp, but less than the English offering 309 hp in total. Ball in the center for the Tonale who on this point seems to have aimed right. do not forget a 130 hp 1.6 diesel engine offered on the French market for businesses and heavy-duty vehicles. For the moment, Alfa Romeo has not communicated the prices of the Tonale. We will have to wait until next June with its arrival in the brand’s showrooms.
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Facing the Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback
The Audi Q3 and its Audi Q3 Sportback coupé variant are the designated rivals for the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The Audi Q3 is already in its second generation, which arrived in dealerships in November 2018. The latter has grown considerably since the first opus of the Q3 launched in 2011. Well established on the market, the Audi Q3 casts a wide net, in addition to the two body types, (Q3 Sportback available in France since November 2019), it offers two 150 and 190 hp petrol engines and two 150 and 200 hp diesel engines. Added to this is a plug-in hybrid variant which combines a power of 245 hp and the elitists Audi RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback whose five-cylinder turbo petrol engine offers no less than 400 hp.
TO READ. Audi RS Q3 (2020) test: the sportiest SUV in its class
Audi Q3
- L x W x H: 4.49 x 1.86 x 1.62 m. Trunk: 530 l.
- Petrol: 150, 190 and 400 hp.
- Diesel: 150 and 200 hp.
- 245 hp plug-in hybrid.
Audi Q3 Sportback
- L x W x H: 4.50 x 1.84 x 1.56 m. Trunk: 530 l.
- Petrol: 150, 230 and 400 hp.
- Diesel: 150 and 200 hp.
- 245 hp plug-in hybrid.
Facing the BMW X1 and X2
The BMW X1 is an old-timer, it is quite simply the one that inaugurated the compact premium SUV formula at the end of 2009. The current second generation arrived on the market in October 2015 and then went through the restyling box in September 2019. The BMW X1 is at the end of its life, the third opus is expected in the summer of 2022 and will be the real rival of the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The Munich brand has split its offer since March 2018 with the X2, the less family-friendly and more athletic-looking version of the X1. The duo offers a gasoline and diesel offer targeting the heart of the market, but also knows how to raise the tone with the 306 hp BMW X2 M35i. Let’s not forget the strong 220 hp xDrive25e plug-in hybrid X1 and X2.
BMW X1
- L x W x H: 4.45 x 1.82 x 1.60 m. Trunk: 505 l.
- Petrol: 136 and 178 hp.
- Diesel: 116, 150 and 190 hp.
- Plug-in hybrid: 220 hp.
BMW X2
- LxWxH: 4.36 x 1.83 x 1.53m. Trunk: 470 l.
- Petrol: 140, 192 and 306 hp.
- Diesel: 116, 150 and 190 hp.
- Plug-in hybrid: 220 hp.
Facing the Mercedes GLA
After having cut its teeth in 2014 with a first version which proceeded from the “enlarged” Class A and a little higher perched, the second opus launched in June 2020 is more mature and more homogeneous. Habitable and also more generous for luggage, the Mercedes-Benz GLA goes straight to the point with two petrol proposals, two diesels and a PHEV that target the heart of the market. For better seduce sports enthusiasts, two variants badged AMG are offered in France : the strong 35 of 306 hp and the 45 S which delivers 421.
- L x W x H: 4.41 x 1.83 x 1.61 m. Trunk: 421 l.
- Petrol: 163 and 224 hp
- Diesel: 150 and 190 hp
- Plug-in hybrid: 218 hp
Facing the DS7 Crossback
We told you above, the tricolor premium SUV is positioned astride the C and D segments. It is therefore only partly in competition with the Tonale whose format is ultimately not so far apart. Count 4.57 m for the French, only 5 cm more than the Italian, which allows it to offer a little more trunk volume. Launched in 2017, the DS7 Crossback will go through the restyling box in the summer of 2022, a cosmetic operation characterized by the appearance of daytime running lights in the vein of the new DS4. The state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid version of the DS7 Crossback has 300 hp and benefits from four-wheel drive.
- LxWxH: 4.57 x 1.90x x 1.63m. Trunk: 555 l.
- Petrol: 130, 180 and 225 hp
- Diesel: 130 hp
- Plug-in hybrid: 225 and 300 hp
TO READ. DS7 Crossback (2022). The restyling of the SUV already imagined
Facing the Jaguar E-Pace
Little brother of the F-Pace, the Jaguar E-Pace arrived in January 2018. It went through the restyling box in December 2020. Its engine range perfectly targets the expectations of the segment with gasoline, diesel but also a Flex-fuel E85 version and rechargeable hybridization. Like the Tonale, the strength of the E-Pace is a very athletic style and a very sloping rear that gives it a coupe look and clearly differentiates it from the competition. Another distinction, less flattering this one, a little controlled weight, for comparison, the English is 300 kg heavier than a BMW X1.
- L x W x H: 4.40 x 1.90 x 1.65 m. Trunk: 577 l.
- Engines. Petrol: 200, 249 and 300 hp
- Diesel: 163 and 204 hp
- Plug-in hybrid: 309 hp
TO READ. Jaguar E-Pace (2018) test: our opinion on the small Jaguar SUV
Facing the Land Rover Evoque
Global phenomenon, the first version of theEvoked made an impression in 2011 in particular with its “real” coupé version, that is to say with three doors and then the exclusive convertible which both came in addition to the classic 5-door version. The latter is the only variant retained on the second opus of the Evoque launched in March 2019. On board, no less than three digital screens are installed. The Evoque is among the shortest in the segment with a format of 4.37 m, it returns no less than 16 cm to the Tonale. Under the hood, the offer is rational and covers the needs of a large clientele. Like the Jaguar E-Pace, whose technical underpinnings and mechanics it shares, the Evoque dominates the fray, with its 309 hp PHEV version.
- LxWxH: 4.37 x 1.90 x 1.65m. Trunk: 591 l.
- Petrol: 200, 250 and 300 hp
- Diesel: 150, 180 and 240 hp
- Plug-in hybrid: 309 hp
TO READ. Range Rover Evoque E85 test: what is the flexfuel solution worth?
Facing the Lexus UX
Little brother of the NX, the Lexus UX still remains unknown in France on the segment. Its salient style is in line with the achievements of Toyota’s premium brand, as is its non-rechargeable hybrid engine (Lexus UX 250h) with 184 hp. Before the arrival of the Volvo XC40 Recharge/Recharge Twin, the Japanese had the prerogative ofa 100% electric version, called Lexus UX 300e developing 204 hp. No in-between in the form of a plug-in hybrid for the Lexus, nor a diesel engine, which has no interest outside Europe. The Japanese assumes his choices.
- L x W x H: 4.50 x 1.84 x 1.52 m. Trunk: 300 l.
- Hybrid: 178 hp
- Electric: 204 hp
TO READ. Lexus UX 300e: our opinion on Lexus’ first electric SUV
Facing the Volvo XC40 and C40
Launched in February 2018, the Volvo XC40 is the first attempt of the Sino-Swedish brand in the premium compact SUV segment. The model is right on target with its robust look and its petrol, diesel, micro-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even 100% electric engines. In November 2021, the Volvo XC40 range received the reinforcement of a coupé version: Volvo C40. The latter is only available with a 100% electric motorization. After opening the ball with two electric machines totaling 408 hp, much more than the market demands, the brand has rectified the situation with a single-engine C40 contenting itself with 231 hp.
Volvo XC40
- L x W x H: 4.42 x 1.86 x 1.65 m. Trunk: 460 l.
- Petrol: 129, 163 and 197 hp
- Diesel: 150 and 190 hp
- Plug-in hybrid: 211 and 262 hp
- Electric: 231 and 408 hp
Volvo C40
- L x W x H: 4.42 x 1.86 x 1.58 m. Trunk: 460 l.
- Electric: 231 and 408 hp
TO READ. Volvo C40 Recharge Twin review. He aims (too) high
