Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce Review | 280hp performance
Read Caroline's Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce review for everything you need to know about buying Alfa's new electric hot hatchback.
The Junior is helping to build Alfa's fortunes in Europe thanks to its compact size and affordability, but also good lucks and charm.
Alfa Romeo has released a hot version too based on the Junior Elettrica, and using the Veloce badge. With 280hp and performance tweaks, it taps into the brand's sporty heritage and with considerable style.
It joins a growing list of compact electric performance models like the Alpine A290 and the Smart #1 Brabus.
Is the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce one of the good ones?
Design
It’s got a good name for a start. Junior Veloce sounds fast and exotic. It looks amazing finished in beautiful Brera Red. Like the standard Junior, there's the dramatic V-shield at the front and LED headlights that manage to capture the classic Alfa snarl - even without off-setting the number plate like the Tonale and Giulia.
Perfect proportions mean it's got the stance of a hot hatch too. It's lowered by about 25mm and sits on glorious 20-inch diamond-cut alloys with lots of the brake disc visible and red brake calipers.
Inside
Inside it feels snug and sporty, with plenty of Alcantara to give it a distinct upmarket vibe. The cabin borrows the same digital display and touchscreen as the rest of the Junior range. The touchscreen is not the flashiest but it does come with the essentials like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's simple to use and less convoluted than what you will find in a Smart #1 Brabus for example.
Standard features include heated front seats and sports pedals. Otherwise the Junior needs to be specced up with different packs to add more desirable features, which is a shame really. The Sabelt bucket seats transform the cabin, however they must be added as part of a Sport Pack that also includes an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel.
The drive mode button still features Alfa’s traditional DNA settings (Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency). However using a generic button found in the likes of Stellantis' stablemates like the Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka is unforgivable to an Alfisti or Alfa fan.
Practicality
The Junior is a compact car so rear space is snug for adults, though children should be fine. Two isofix points are provided for child seats.
There is a 400 litre boot with flexible three-position boot floor and space to store charging cables underneath.
Driving the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce
You can get the Junior as a 1.2 petrol hybrid or as a full electric with a 54kWh battery. Prices start at around €35,000. The Veloce is a big step up at €51,495. The Launch Edition tested here retails at an even spicer €56,295.
But Alfa Romeo has really beefed up the Veloce. Power jumps from 156hp in the standard Junior Elettrica to 280hp. Torque increases to 345Nm for an overall 0-100km/h time in 5.9 seconds.
All that power goes to the front wheels, with the addition of a Torsen limited-slip differential to help get the power down. There's also retuned steering and upgraded brakes. While the standard Junior is a hoot to drive, the Veloce feels even more driver-focused. The compact dimensions make it extremely athletic and tight through bends.
What really impresses is the balance between comfort and control. It rides firmly but never feels brittle, staying taut and engaging when you start to push on. There’s some road noise, but that’s expected with this level of grip and wheel size.
Battery and range
The Veloce uses the same 54kWh battery as the standard electric version of the Junior. Unfortunately, there is a drop in battery range from 406km to 322km because of the additional performance. This is certainly felt behind the wheel and does limit the enjoyment of the car. With average consumption during my test drive of 20.5kWh per 100 kilometres, 250 kilometres is a more realistic range estimate on a single battery charge.
Charging
DC charging is up to 100kW, which allows for a 20–80% battery charge in 24 minutes. There's also 11kW AC charging available.
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce proves that electric hot hatches can have soul and be incredibly fun to drive. It’s stylish, exciting and full of character, with good looks and pedigree on its side.
However, it's very expensive to buy, even compared with the Smart and the Alpine. What's more, the range is hard to live with and limits the appeal.
The good news is the standard Junior Elettrica may be all the fun you need right now and is priced better. Alfa is back in the game for sure.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Alfa Romeo Junior Hybrid Review | Sporty and efficient crossover
Read Caroline's Alfa Romeo Junior Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying Alfa's new hybrid crossover in Ireland.
The Alfa Romeo Junior marks a bold return for the Italian car brand to the compact segment. While it may be small in size, it brings with it big personality. Following my drive in the fully electric Junior earlier this year, I’ve now spent time with the new Junior Ibrida, the petrol hybrid version of Alfa's charismatic compact crossover.
So what’s it like to drive, how efficient is it, and does it live up to Alfa’s reputation for style and excitement?
Here's everything you need to know.
Alfa Romeo Junior Design
The Junior is Alfa Romeo’s smallest model, slotting below the Tonale and Stelvio. It’s priced from €34,995, whether you go for the hybrid or the electric version. Rivals include the Volvo EX30, Smart #1 and Lexus LBX, but the Junior is arguably the most stylish of them all.
It’s a beautifully styled compact car with some lovely retro-inspired touches, like Alfa’s signature ‘Leggenda Scudetto’ V-shield grille, with the brand name in vintage lettering and sharp LED headlights. Matrix LEDs are an option as part of the Technology Pack.
On the outside, 17-inch alloys are standard on the hybrid, while the electric gets 18s. This test car came finished in Navigli Blue, a striking shade named after the Navigli district of Milan and a nod to the historic home of Alfa Romeo.
Alfa Romeo Junior Interior
Inside, the Junior is snug and sporty, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cowled digital driver display giving it a proper Alfa feel. While the design is stylish, materials aren’t quite as plush as something like the Lexus LBX. You’ll notice some hard plastics, especially on the doors. That said, what’s in front of you looks good, and the overall layout is modern and intuitive.
Standard features include automatic air conditioning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
However you likely will want to add packs to get more luxurious features. My test car was fitted with two optional packs. The Premium Pack (€3,000) adds heated front seats, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and massage, sports pedals and upgraded upholstery.
The Technology Pack (€3,500) adds a reversing camera, extra safety features, wireless phone charging, keyless entry, folding mirrors and a powered tailgate.
Practicality
At 415 litres, the hybrid Junior actually offers slightly more boot space than the electric (400 litres). It's a good size for a compact car. The test car also had a three-position adjustable boot floor, which adds flexibility for loading and storage.
Rear seat space is on the tighter side, but that’s part of the course in this segment. It’s suitable for children or the occasional adult passenger, and you’ll find Isofix mounts, USB ports and reasonable comfort for short trips.
Driving the Junior Hybrid
Under the bonnet, the Junior Ibrida uses a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, paired with a 48-volt hybrid system and a 21kW electric motor. Power output stands at 136hp and 230Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
0-100km/h takes 8.9 seconds, so it’s respectably quick, and claimed fuel economy is as low as 4.8 litres per 100km.
This hybrid setup is now common across Stellantis stablemates like Peugeot and Opel. It offers a nice balance between petrol performance and hybrid efficiency. However, it’s not quite as refined as the Lexus LBX hybrid. In town, the stop/start system can be jerky, and there’s a noticeable lack of smoothness when transitioning between electric and petrol drive in slow traffic.
That said, once you're up to speed, the Junior Ibrida settles down nicely though there is some road noise at high speeds on the motorway. It still has that Alfa DNA, feeling nippy and engaging when you want it to be.
There are also Alfa's DNA drive modes, but sadly the traditional dial has been replaced by a generic button that appears in everything from the Opel Mokka to the Peugeot 2008 and Jeep Avenger. The Dynamic mode offers sharper throttle response and maximum power, Natural is for balanced everyday driving and Advanced Efficiency is for the most economical drive.
Pricing
The new Junior Hybrid is available from €34,995, which is the same as the electric Junior. However for more equipment, you will likely spend more on adding packs like the Premium Pack and Technology Pack.
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida is a stylish and charismatic small crossover that broadens Alfa’s appeal once again. It looks fantastic, is fun to drive and gives you a choice between electric and hybrid.
The hybrid is not quite as refined as the electric but it makes up for it with its fuel efficiency and the convenience of not having to charge on long journeys.
So if you're after something compact, efficient and dripping in Italian style, the Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida is well worth a look.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Alfa Romeo Junior Review
Read Caroline's Alfa Romeo Junior review for everything you need to know about buying Alfa's new small SUV in Ireland.
Alfa Romeo Ireland is growing its range of vehicles in Ireland with the arrival of the new Junior. Slotting into the range below the Tonale, the Junior is a new compact crossover that's available as a hybrid or full battery electric vehicle.
Alfa hasn't marketed a compact model in Ireland since the Mito and Giulietta, so the Junior should help open up the brand to more buyers once again. It starts from €34,995.
Let's take a closer look.
What is the Alfa Romeo Junior?
The Junior is a small crossover to rival other upmarket crossovers like the Lexus LBX, Smart #1 and Volvo EX-30. It was initially to be called the Milano, however the Italian government forbid it because the car is built in Poland, not Italy.
Design
But it was definitely designed in Italy, the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile in Turin to be precise. Packaging the Alfa style and flair into such compact dimensions must have been a challenge. But the Junior manages to pull off a sensuous design that is full of interesting details like the dramatic V-shield at the front, short overhangs, muscular wheel arches and iconic kamm tail. In Bera red, it's a real head turner.
There are six colours to choose from in total, with a black contrast roof possible.
The standard wheel size is 17-inch for the hybrid, 18-inch on the electric. LED lights and black wing mirror caps come as standard. Opt for the electric, and you can step up to the Speciale trim level. This adds a slightly different alloy wheel design, matt black body kit with red inserts, rear privacy glass and a different Alfa shield at the front.
Alfa Romeo Junior Interior
The Junior has a gorgeous cabin. It is beautifully designed with a snug and sporty feel. Top features include the sporty Alfa steering wheel, classic cowled instrument binnacle, and centre piece finished in Alcantara. There are hard plastics in the doors and the top of the dashboard, but the Junior just about gets away with it because the rest of it is so nice. The Alfa manages to feel special inside, though a Lexus LBX does feel of better quality overall.
There's also a full digital driver display and 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity.
The Speciale is worth upgrading to for a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, parking camera, sports pedals, power adjustment for driver's seat with lumbar support and massage, and keyless entry.
There are a few packs available that add more equipment like the Performance interior pack with special suede and leather bucket seats by Sabelt and performance steering wheel.
Practicality
The Junior is a small car and that's no more apparent than in the back where legroom will be tight for anyone other than small children. The rear doors don't open very wide making access rather awkward too. On the plus side, the Junior Elettrica has about 400 litres of boot space and the hybrid about 415 litres. So that's bigger than the Smart #1 or Volvo EX-30, and about the same as the Lexus LBX hybrid.
The Junior Speciale also comes with a powered tailgate as standard.
Driving
The Junior has been designed to be the sportiest and most exciting car to drive in its class. Based on a familiar platform as stablemates like the Opel Mokka, Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600e, the Junior is the sportiest and most sophisticated small car yet to use this platform. It is brilliant fun to drive with incredibly sharp steering and virtually no body roll through bends. Combined with the lively 156hp electric motor and some artificial 'engine' noise, and the Junior becomes a real joy to drive around town in particular.
It's equally accomplished out on larger roads like motorways. The ride quality is smooth and it's very refined for a small car. It's only rural roads where the firm suspension can make it feel a little bumpy.
There are also different drive modes named after Alfa's long-standing DNA switch - Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency. Just a pity that they haven't included the traditional DNA rotary dial. Instead it's a standard button found across its Stellantis stablemates.
The Junior Elettrica on test uses a 54kWh lithium-ion battery and has an official range up to 406 kilometres (WLTP). During my time with the car, it proved to be consistently efficient with my average consumption finishing up at 16.2kWh per 100 kilometres. A heat pump comes as standard.
For performance enthusiasts, there's also the Junior Elettrica Veloce with a mouth-watering 280hp and numerous sporty upgrades like lowered suspension and mechanical limited slip differential.
Charging
DC fast charging is possible up to 100kW for a 20-80% charge in 24 minutes at a suitably rapid charger. AC charging is possible up to 11kW.
Is the Alfa Romeo Junior only electric?
No, it will be available as a hybrid known as the Junior Ibrida, due to arrive in Ireland shortly based around a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with 136hp and available in both front wheel drive or Q4 all-wheel drive.
Pricing
The Junior hybrid starts from €34,995, as does the entry level Junior electric. Step up to the Speciale from €38,950 and the high performance Veloce from €51,495.
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior is a brilliant return for Alfa to the compact class. It's stylish and brilliant fun to drive, with a little of the Alfa magic that does make it stand out among its rivals. Interior quality could be better in places, but the overall experience behind the wheel is a good one. It's a shame it's not a bit roomier in the back, but for may people this will be just perfectly sized. Altogether, the Junior seems well suited to Irish roads and offers an upmarket and refined driving experience - with lots of Italian style and flair that makes it very desirable.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Alfa Romeo Tonale Mild Hybrid Review (2024)
Read Caroline's Alfa Romeo Tonale mild hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying the petrol Tonale in Ireland in 2024.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale was one of the most anticipated new cars to arrive in Ireland in 2023. Alfa's new compact SUV is dripping in Italian style to take on established rivals like the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
In Ireland the Tonale is available with a 1.5 petrol engine with mild hybrid technology or as a more powerful plug-in hybrid with a petrol engine and battery on board allowing a small bit of electric driving.
The range starts at €49,995 for the Tonale mild hybrid and from €53,495 for the Tonale plug-in hybrid.
If you're looking at the Tonale line-up and not quite sure whether to go for the plug-in hybrid or the mild hybrid, you might find this review interesting.
Let's take a closer look!
Styling
The Tonale is a gorgeous compact SUV available in a range of lovely colours like Montreal Green, Misano Blue, Vesuvio Grey and Alfa White, just like the model on test for Changing Lanes. Compared to its rivals, the Tonale looks far more chic. At the front, the dramatic V-shaped Alfa grille gives this car unrivalled presence, framed by very expressive matrix LED headlights. There are two trim levels available for the mild hybrid, Ti and Veloce, but both models get a classic Alfa telephone-dial style alloy wheel. Ti models sit on 18-inch alloys, while the Veloce models are upgraded to a 19-inch design and stand out with red brake calipers. The contrasting black door mirrors with Italian flag detail and sills add more gloss and glam to the Tonale. There is a nice lighting signature in the rear lights and T-O-N-A-L-E spelt out in elegant script.
Interior
The cabin is snug and sporty, and feels more glamourous and driver-focused than most of its rivals. There is a gorgeous Alfa sport leather steering wheel with an integrated start/stop button. Veloce models add glorious aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The centre console is quite high and features yet another Italian flag in case you might forget you're behind the wheel of an Alfa. To keep the contemporary vibe, there is a full digital instrument cluster with a few different views and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has lots of functionality but the icons are quite small and it doesn't feel as slick overall as what you might find in an X1 or a GLA.
Quality is generally good though there are a few harder plastics that let the side down a little. But there is plenty of soft padding in the dash to lend a premium feel and some gorgeous seat upholsteries including Alcantara with red stitching or full leather, with the Alfa logo embossed in the headrests.
Standard features include electric lumbar support for the driver, reversing camera, parking sensors, wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and lots more standard safety equipment. Premium features like heated front seats, heated steering wheel and power adjustable seats are available as part of a pack.
Practicality
A powered tailgate comes as standard. The mild hybrid is the best for boot space with a generous 500 litres. The plug-in hybrid musters a more mediocre 385 litres.
The Tonale feels well-sized in the back for a car of this class and will seat two adults or a few children in comfort.
Engine
The Tonale mild hybrid uses a 1.5-litre, four cylinder petrol engine that produces 160hp. This model is front wheel drive only and comes with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic. There's also a 20hp electric motor that improves the efficiency of this model by seamlessly allowing some electric assistance when starting off, parking or when cruising on the motorway. It's not quite a car as powerful overall as the 280hp, four wheel drive Tonale plug-in hybrid, but the relative simplicity of it suits the Tonale and the fuel consumption is decent with 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres achieved during my test drive. The official consumption figure is 6 litres per 100 kilometres (WLTP). Motor tax is €210 per year.
Driving
The Tonale is lovely to drive with excellent handling. It has a sophisticated suspension that was co-developed with Marelli, a historic technical partner of Alfa Romeo. Veloce models add adaptive dampers, which allow you to adjust the firmness of the suspension but generally the Tonale rides very well for a sporty premium compact SUV. There's also the DNA driving mode selector standard across the range, which also adds some character to the drive. The Dynamic mode is by far the best as it adds weight to the steering and makes the engine response livlier too. There's also a self-locking differential that reduces understeer and improves stability of the front wheel drive Tonale in cornering.
The mild hybrid offers decent performance with 0-100km/h completed in 8.8 seconds though it's fair to say if power is really something important to you, the plug-in hybrid does feel more like a classic Alfa in this way. Yet the mild hybrid offers good refinement overall with no caveats around charging to get the best efficiency from it. The only real issue is quite a lot of road noise coming into the cabin.
Pricing
The Tonale mild hybrid is available from €49,995 for the Ti and from €53,495 for the Veloce. The plug-in hybrid range starts from €53,495.
Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is the start of a revival of the famous Italian car brand. The Tonale is one of the brand's most relevant and competitive models on sale and a real alternative to rivals, which all seem a bit vanilla really by comparison once you've spend some time behind the wheel of the Tonale. It looks great and feels great from behind the wheel, while it's pretty practical too - particularly as a mild hybrid. In fact, this engine seems to be a sensible one for the Tonale and is easy to live with while still offering good fuel efficiency and it's still a great handling car.
The Alfa range is set to be bolstered even further in 2024 with the arrival of the new Milano compact crossover. But for now the Tonale has become the brand's bestselling model in Ireland and is helping to grow the brand here - and rightly so.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Review
Read Caroline's Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV review for everything you need to know about buying Alfa Romeo's new compact, plug-in hybrid SUV in Ireland.
Alfa Romeo makes a serious comeback with the launch of the new Tonale in Ireland in 2023.
The Tonale is Alfa's new compact SUV and the first new model from the brand to launch here in about five years. It joins the Giulia and Stelvio in the Alfa Romeo range.
However there are more models planned, including full battery electric vehicles. The Tonale is the first Alfa Romeo to debut both mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology and so marks the start of the Italian brand's electrification journey. It will move quickly now, with the brand pledging to go all electric by 2027.
The new Tonale range starts from €49,995 for the petrol mild hybrid and from €55,495 for the plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive.
I took the new Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid for a test drive on Irish roads to find out if the Tonale was worth the wait!
What's so special about the Alfa Romeo Tonale?
The Tonale adds a little bit of Italian style and flair to the premium compact SUV segment and makes rivals like the BMW X1, the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Audi Q3 look very conservative indeed. It's a timely addition to the Alfa range and could be its most competitive model in years, aiming squarely at a sweet spot of the market.
The Tonale brings style and sportiness in abundance. At the front, there's no mistaking the classic Alfa V-shaped grille and offset number plate. Matrix LED headlights come as standard.
There are two trim levels Ti and Veloce, with the plug-in hybrid models getting an extra Edizione Speciale with 20-inch alloy wheels. 18-inch come as standard on Ti, with 19-inch on Veloce models and gorgeous red brake calipers. But all versions feature a classic Alfa 'telephone-dial' style of alloy.
Inside, space in the back is competitive for this class of vehicle with plenty of legroom and headroom available for a couple of children or adults.
Mild hybrid Tonales are best for boot space with 500 litres, similar to rivals. However, if you opt for the plug-in hybrid, it goes down to about 385 litres. Though there is a handy storage compartment for the charging cables underneath the boot floor and a powered tailgate.
But an upmarket car like this requires a smart cabin. So has Alfa delivered?
Inside the Tonale
Largely, yes. It's a step up from the Giulia and Stelvio with more plush materials in more places and a slick, modern design for the digital age. There are some harder, scratchier plastics in the centre console and overall, a GLA or X1 do feel more premium.
But it's all going in the right direction for Alfa at last. Quality counts.
Sitting behind the wheel, the Tonale feels instantly sportier and more driver-focused than rivals. Veloce models get fabulous aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Everything is distinctly Alfa. There is a high centre console that enhances the snug, sporty feel.
Infotainment is provided via a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant features. Other standard features include a reversing camera, dual zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging and lots of safety and driver assistance features.
Cloth and leather-effect seats come as standard. Veloce models come with more sophisticated Alcantara and leather-effect seats. There is also the option of full black leather with headrests embossed with the Alfa logo.
Driving the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid
The Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid is the most powerful of the range with 280hp. It's a big step up in power from the 1.5-litre petrol mild hybrid (160hp).
It also comes with all-wheel drive for more grip and has the ability to be plugged in and driven electric for up to about 69 kilometres on a full battery.
On the road, it is really good fun to drive. It feels sportier than rivals, riding firmer over the tarmac and offering quick, reactive steering.
It will reach 100km/h from a standstill in just 6.2 seconds. Alfa's classic 'DNA' driving mode selector also features: D for Dynamic, N for Natural and A for Advanced Efficiency in the plug-in hybrid Tonale.
The steering is a little bit on the light side in the N mode but D adds the perfect amount of weight to the steering for more enthusiastic driving. It also makes the throttle livelier so you will find yourself using the paddles to change gear. The car certainly promotes more driver involvement than most.
Veloce models have adaptive dampers, which allows for some adjustment depending on your preferences.
Still, it's not the most refined or smoothest hybrid of its kind and it can get quite noisy in the cabin. The suspension is firm but not too firm for Irish roads. The Tonale always redeems itself because it has the edge on sportiness. It is easily one of the most fun to drive plug-in hybrids on sale.
For the best efficiency, the battery needs to be kept topped up, otherwise the Tonale can get quite thirsty. Charging of the Tonale's battery takes 2.5 hours from a 7 kW wallbox.
Did you like it?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale marks a significant comeback for the Italian car brand in one of the most popular segments of the market. It does it in considerable style of course and the Tonale is an utterly seductive machine for the mid-size SUV segment.
The Tonale has its own distinct style and has closed the gap somewhat to more upmarket rivals on interior quality.
But if you value a fun and involving driving experience from your crossover, then the Tonale wins hands down.
Alfa is back on form with the Tonale, and it marks the start of a new era at the brand that should see even more competitive, electrified models reaching these shores very soon.
Model tested: Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce PHEV AWD
Price: From €58,495
Engine: 1.3-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Power: 280hp
Torque: 400Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 6.2 seconds
Motor Tax: €140 per year
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Alfa Romeo Tonale Review
The Alfa Romeo Tonale will arrive in Ireland in early 2023 and marks a fresh start for the Italian car brand, now under the stewardship of Stellantis and a new Irish distributor, Gowan Auto.
The Tonale is one of the most important models for Alfa Romeo in years, a stylish new compact SUV to take on the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and the Volvo XC40.
While pricing for the Irish market is yet to be announced, we do know a few things about the new Tonale. In Ireland, it will be available as a petrol hybrid and a plug-in hybrid with an electric driving range of up to 69 kilometres.
But what's it like to drive? Caroline travelled to Milan with Alfa Romeo Ireland to drive the new Tonale plug-in hybrid ahead of its official arrival in Ireland.
Styling
The new Tonale is a classy Italian compact SUV, with flamboyance and flair to its design that makes rivals look positively square. At the front, there is Alfa's characteristic V-shaped grille flanked by a striking set of LED headlights and customary offset number plate, lending the Tonale a serious face should you find one in your rear view mirror. Alloy wheel sizes will be available from 18-inch to 20-inch, with a classic Alfa 'telephone dial' style available. There will be two trim levels for Ireland - Ti and Veloce - with 18-inch alloys fitted as standard. The sporty elegant look is finished off with a dramatic LED light bar at the rear. There's a range of eye-catching metallic shades to choose from, showing off the Alfa's sleek surfacing.
Interior
Inside, the Tonale offers a snug and sporty cabin. It feels quite distinct for the segment, with a driver-focused layout that will have you aching to press the start button - conveniently located on the steering wheel. Quality takes a step up from the Giulia and Stelvio, with most of the touch points feeling good. You will find some cheaper plastics lower down and some of the buttons below the infotainment screen feel a little basic for a premium car. But generally, the Tonale lives up to its billing and feels far more special than anything we've seen from the brand in the last decade. There's a cowled digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a new 10.25-inch touchscreen.
Practicality
The Tonale a little bit smaller than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Tonale is roomy in the back for a mid-size SUV, with good-sized footwells and plenty of headroom too for adult passengers. Petrol hybrids get the largest boot at a competitive 500 litres but plug-in hybrids can only muster 385 litres, which is about the same as many hatchbacks.
Engines
The new Tonale will be available in Ireland with a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid engine with 160hp (front wheel drive) or as a range-topping plug-in hybrid with 280hp and all-wheel drive.
Charging
It will take about 2.5 hours to charge the plug-in hybrid Tonale's battery to full at 7.4kW.
On the road
The Tonale feels immediately sporty and driver-focused behind the wheel - despite its height. It's one of the sharpest handling mid-size SUVs on the market. The Tonale plug-in hybrid feels agile and athletic though bends, with plenty of grip from the Alfa Q4 all-wheel drive system. The cabin feels nicely insulated, offering good refinement at high speeds on the motorway but it is quite firmly sprung, so can thud over imperfections in the road surface.
There is a classic Alfa 'D.N.A' driving mode selector and the Tonale is at its most comfortable in the Natural (N) setting. But in this mode the steering errs on the light side. So for any enthusiastic driving, you'll want to slip it into the Dynamic (D) mode, where the steering feels better weighted and the throttle response is sharper. The plug-in hybrid's 280hp feels fast with the 0-100 km/h sprint done in just over 6 seconds. But plant your foot on the accelerator hard in Dynamic mode and the engine does thrash a bit.
But in more relaxed driving, the Tonale is a perfectly behaved car that feels great on the road. When running in hybrid mode, it's quite efficient too. But plug-in hybrids are generally at their best when you have the desire and facilities to keep the battery charged and make use of the electric driving range of up to 69 kilometres.
Pricing
Pricing will be announced closer to launch of the Tonale in Ireland. At the moment, Alfa's larger Stelvio SUV goes on sale from about €64,000.
Summary
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a significant comeback for the Alfa Romeo brand in Ireland and Europe. When it arrives in Ireland in the first few months of 2023, it will be the brand's most competitive model in the Alfa line-up. There's great demand for mid-size SUVs and the Tonale will be a stylish alternative to more established rivals from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. What's more, it's competitive in key areas like practicality and interior technology. It has a snug and sporty cabin, though some rivals do feel more premium. While I'm yet to drive the petrol hybrid entry into the Tonale range, the range-topping plug-in hybrid offers a smooth and powerful drive with the flexibility of driving electric for a limited range. All in all, the Tonale is a stylish and fun to drive compact SUV and the brand's best chance yet to regain a foothold in the Irish market.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Irish Pricing
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio performance SUV has gone on sale in Ireland priced from €118,795.
Powered by a 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine with Q4 all wheel drive as standard, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has 510hp and 600Nm of torque. The SUV can sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 283km/h. The specifically calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission allows gear shifts in just 150 milliseconds in Race mode.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is also equipped with the exclusive Alfa™ Chassis Domain Control unit, which acts as the brain to coordinate all the car's electronic systems. The system simultaneously assigns specific tasks to the various active systems, such as the Alfa™ DNA Pro selector, Q4 all-wheel drive, Alfa™ Active Torque Vectoring system, Alfa™ Active Suspension system and the ESC.
The standard Torque Vectoring technology optimises the Stelvio Quadrifoglio's drive distribution. The two electronically controlled clutches in the rear differential make it possible to control torque delivery to each wheel separately. This ensures the optimal transfer of power to the ground even when the car is pushed to its dynamic limits, without the need for intrusive inputs from the stability control system.
Equipment
Standard specification on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio in Ireland includes 20-inch Quadrifoglio alloy wheels with special profiled wheel arches, restyled rear diffuser, sports exhaust with four outlets, and bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
Inside, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio comes as standard with a leather dashboard and door tops, leather and Alcantara seats, leather steering wheel, carbon fibre trim and stainless steel pedals. There's also an 8.8-inch Alfa™ Connect infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™.
Safety specification includes advanced Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (DSM), Integrated Braking System (IBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and a rear-view camera with guide lines. Alfa™ Chassis Domain Control, Alfa™ Active Torque Vectoring, Alfa™ Active Suspension system and Alfa™ DNA Pro, with Race Mode, complete the standard set-up.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Review
Caroline reviews the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is Alfa Romeo’s new SUV and it arrives in Ireland after the Italian brand’s renaissance led by the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon in 2017.
With demand for SUVs seemingly unstoppable and any premium manufacturer worth its salt building one, it was inevitable that Alfa Romeo would turn its artistic hand to an SUV – enter the Stelvio.
The result is every bit as sensuous and dramatic as the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon: from the deep plunging V-shaped grille around to the muscular rear, crowned with two large double exhausts. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is stylish and chic without being bulky or ungainly, the plight of many large SUVs.
Inside much of the interior design is carried over from the Giulia saloon. Many will love the higher ride height – in some ways this feels like a Giulia hatchback though I don’t know if Alfa Romeo would be impressed with that summation. While the Stelvio also sits five, it feels more practical for coping with family life.
The rear seat is comfortable for three and the footwells a decent size. The boot is 525 litres and aided by a powered tailgate as standard.
The interior looks and feels solidly built however the material finish is average for a vehicle with a starting price from €47,295. It’s a comfortable cabin and the driving position is reassuring with all controls falling to hand easily. The Alfa Connect infotainment system with 8.8” screen comes as standard and is controlled by a rotary controller. Safety equipment like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, integrated braking system and autonomous emergency braking also come as standard.
In Ireland Stelvio is offered with four trim levels: Stelvio, Super, Speciale and Milano Edizione. Standard equipment includes dual zone air con, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, keyless start and 17” alloys. My Speciale model included 19” alloys with coloured brake calipers, full leather upholstery and heated front seats.
In terms of engines, the Stelvio is offered with a 2.0-litre petrol with 200hp or 280hp, and a 2.2-litre diesel with 180hp or 210hp. There are rear wheel drive and all wheel drive models available.
My test car was powered by the 2.2-litre diesel with 210hp, and it was also fitted with all wheel drive. The engine is noisy on start up and idle but it smooths out at speed. There is plenty of power and torque in this model and power is fed to the road via a standard 8-speed automatic gearbox. My fuel economy over a week of driving was 6.4l/100km.
What's the Alfa Romeo Stelvio like to drive?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is agile on the road and retains composure through bends with not too much body roll. The steering lacks feedback and it’s not as engaging to drive as the Giulia saloon. The Stelvio will settle down well for a motorway cruise, but there is some road noise audible. A firmer set up means that it’s not the softest ride in the class but it’s far from uncomfortable either.
The Stelvio SUV fills an important gap in the Alfa Romeo range with insatiable demand for SUVs among consumers. While in all senses and purposes, the Stelvio is competively sized and priced, and drives with style too, the interior finish makes the car less palatable at the luxury end of the market. Yet for ‘something different’ that’s practical and stylish, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio carves out its own niche.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2JTD Speciale
Price: €55,995 (Range from €47,295)
Engine: 2.2-litre turbo diesel
Power: 210hp
Torque: 470Nm
0-100km/h: 6.6 seconds
Top speed: 215km/h
Economy: 4.8/100km
CO2 emissions: 127g/km
Motor tax: €270 per year
If you are looking for a mid-size luxury SUV, you might also like this review of the Jaguar F-Pace.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Review
Alfa Romeo Ireland has dropped a car for Alfa aficionados into the Giulia range. Arriving in a blur of exclusive ‘Misano Blue’ paint, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce attempts to bridge the gap between the standard Giulia petrol and diesel models, and the range topping grand symphony that is the 510hp Giulia Quadrifoglio.
The Giulia Veloce’s long bonnet houses a tuned 2.0-litre turbo petrol that produces 280hp and 400Nm of torque. 0 to 100 kmh is a blink-and-you‘ll-miss-it 5.7 seconds and power is fed to the rear wheels via an eight speed automatic gearbox.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a beauty by any book and in Veloce spec it’s lowered, bolstered with sports bumpers and at the back there are two large tailpipes nestled in a rear diffuser. The Giulia Veloce is shod with 18” alloys, and Veloce is written in elegant script above the front wheel arches.
Inside the interior is mostly the same as the standard Giulia. Full leather upholstery comes as standard as does 25W Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, power folding exterior mirrors, and heated 6-way electric front seats including electric side bolster support. Infotainment is provided via Alfa Connect™ with an 8.8” touchscreen with 3D Navigation split screen function, rotary pad control and 8 speakers. The interior quality is okay but there are some very ordinary materials used in places.
On the road the Giulia Veloce doesn’t hang about. Plant your foot to the accelerator and the Giulia Veloce takes off as if it's being being chased by a fleet of Ferraris. The acceleration is smooth, linear and urgent. There is no great accompanying roar from the engine, which I was slightly disappointed by, but it does sound more angry with the DNA switch turned to Dynamic.
The Giulia is a real handling star even in its most basic guise. It's light, agile and floats through corners with real elegance and ultimate precision from small turns on the steering wheel. The ride only shows up its firmness over really bad surfaces so for day to day driving, the Giulia Veloce doesn't carry any compromise.
With pricing starting from €54,495, the Giulia Veloce is a bigger investment over the more basic petrols and diesels in the Giulia range. This is an enjoyable car with sweet steering, handling and acceleration that's pleasingly urgent. Alfa has failed to wow inside the car and I think Veloce buyers deserve a bit more fanfare inside. But the Giulia has a certain magic to it that will never fail to get it noticed.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
Price: €54,495
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol
Power: 280hp
Torque: 400Nm
0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds
Top speed: 240km/h
Economy: 6.1/100km
CO2 emissions: 141g/km
Motor tax: €390 per year
Alfa Romeo Giulia Review
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the car that is meant to reverse Alfa’s fortunes and bring them back to the glory days. With the arrival of the Stelvio SUV in the autumn, Alfa Romeo looks to be finally getting their act together.
To recap, the Alfa Romeo Giulia picks up where the 159 left off as Alfa’s compact executive saloon contender. This is tough territory with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 being the household names.
Yet the new Alfa Romeo Giulia can argue a good case. The Giulia sits on an all-new rear wheel drive architecture that promises dynamic handling matched with classic Italian good looks. Could this be enough to have them leaving their German saloons in droves for a slice of the panettone?
Up front, there’s no mistaking the deep, plunging Alfa V-shaped grille. The Giulia plays the role of a sporty saloon very well, hugging the ground exceptionally well. The styling is a bit more generic at the back but the Giulia still looks exotic in the company of competitors.
Inside, this is the best interior I’ve seen in an Alfa Romeo for years. Alfa seems to have aimed for a more simplistic design, like the one in the new Audi A4. The quality still feels a little behind the best in class in some places. Infotainment is provided via the UConnect™ 6.5-inch display with rotary pad control on the basic model, with an 8.8-inch screen on higher spec models.
There is seating for five though realistically only two will be comfortable in the back because of the large transmission tunnel, but the boot holds a healthy 480 litres.
There is a range of new, all-aluminium engines for the new Giulia. In Ireland, the majority of buyers are going to go for the 2.2-litre diesel with 150 or 180hp, or maybe take a look at the 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 200hp. Petrol models start at €40,395, while diesels start at €39,995. There are also the Veloce and the Quadrifoglio models, but they are more high performance.
Standard equipment is good including 17” alloys, dual-zone climate control, 3.5-inch TFT colour display, rear parking sensors, automatic light/rain sensors, cruise control, leather steering wheel and ignition start button. ‘Super’ models start from €41,995 and add an 8.8-inch infotainment system with navigation, split screen function and DAB radio. There’s also an electro-chromic auto-dimming rear view mirror, a 7-inch TFT display, aluminium door sills as well as leather and cloth seat trims available in three colour options.
Alfa Romeo Ireland is offering the Super Sport and Super Lux trims for the same price: €42,166. The Giulia Super Sport has 18-inch alloy wheels, painted brake calipers, dark tinted privacy glass and Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs. Inside the leather seats are available in three colour options, and there’s a sports leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals, brushed aluminium effect centre console and door moulding inserts, and steering column-mounted gear shift paddles.
The Giulia Super Lux has a rear view camera, adaptive cruise control, power folding exterior mirrors, leather upholstery, Bi-Xenon headlights and 18-inch ‘Luxury’ design alloy wheels.
My car was the Super Sport with the 2.2-litre diesel with 180hp (€43,966) and it feels more than adequate here with 0-100kmh achieved in just 7.1 seconds. There is some diesel gurgle at idle but it’s very refined at speed. All Giulia’s come with an 8 speed automatic gearbox and it’s a very smooth operator.
The Giulia feels very light and agile on the road and it corners beautifully owing to that new rear wheel drive layout. The steering is also super quick and direct. It’s very quiet in the cabin, as a premium car should be, and the ride quality is excellent too.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has been one of the most anticipated new cars in years and it is a very seductive car – not just because of the way it looks, but also because it’s really nice to drive as well. The interior lets it down a bit because at this price range it really needs to be of higher quality. But lots of people still love Alfa Romeo cars and on balance the Giulia is still a highly desirable compact executive saloon!
Model Tested: Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Sport 2.2JTD 180hp
Price: €43,966 (Range starts at €39,995)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel
Power: 180hp
Torque: 450Nm
0-100km/h: 7.1 seconds
Top speed: 230kmh
Economy: 67.3mpg
CO2 Emissions: 109g/km
Motor Tax: €190 per year
Caroline Kidd
If you are looking for a compact executive saloon you might also like this review of the Audi A4.