2026 Tonale Is Alfa Romeo’s Best Hope After Brutal 2025
Alfa Romeo first revealed the 2026 Tonale in October last year, with changes like revised exterior styling—it’s one of the most eye-catching crossovers around, that’s for sure. The 2026 model was originally scheduled to reach North America showrooms at the end of 2025, but that never happened. This raised some alarm bells, especially since Dodge has discontinued the Hornet, the Tonale’s twin. But we’re happy to report that the 2026 Tonale will arrive at dealers this quarter. It now has the tough job of turning around Alfa’s poor 2025 on the sales charts.
Related: A 400-HP Alfa Romeo Tonale Quadrifoglio Could Finally Be on the Way
Alfa Sales Tumbled Last Year
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Collezione Alfa Romeo
The Tonale was Alfa’s best-selling model last year, but it still only managed sales of 2,414 units, a 29% decline relative to 2024. It was followed by the Stelvio on 1,872 units (-41%) and the Giulia on 1,366 units (-41%). Overall, Alfa’s sales declined by 36% last year, but its fourth-quarter performance was particularly poor, declining by 57% year-on-year.
Being a small crossover and the company’s most affordable model, the 2026 Tonale is best-positioned to accumulate sales, but it just hasn’t happened so far. It also finds itself in a tough segment populated by established players like the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and Audi Q3. The Alfa’s spirited turbo engine and sharp handling stand out, but it lacks the spaciousness of many rivals.
Related: 3 Reasons Alfa Romeo Is Failing In The United States
Plug-In Hybrid Model Falls Away
2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale Stellantis
For 2026, the Tonale now has just one engine choice, that being a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The previously available PHEV has been discontinued. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a nine-speed automatic, and it’ll find its way to 60 mph in a decent 6.5 seconds.
S
If compact crossover sales were based on looks alone, the 2026 Tonale would be unstoppable. It now has a new front fascia with a concave scudetto grille. Go for the Sport Speciale trim, and you get three-hole 20-inch wheels and a two-tone Alcantara interior. There are also three new exterior colors, those being Rosso Brera, Verde Monza, and Giallo Ocra. It makes most rivals look comparatively bland.
Inside, red leather is now available optionally, alongside the more somber black. Smart touches like aluminum shift paddles on upper trims are classic Alfa. Pricing starts at $36,995 for the Sprint, increasing to $41,495 for the Veloce and Sport Speciale.
Alfa said it wants to focus on smaller SUVs after it shelved plans for a large electric SUV. Whether this strategy works out for the automaker remains to be seen, but the Tonale will have to do better than it has this far.
