2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale brings new look, more power to Italian small SUV

Alfa Romeo has revealed the facelifted Tonalesmall SUV, which brings revised styling and a more aggressive stance, plus an updated interior, sharper handling, and more power for both its petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains.

The revised engine range brings the Tonale into line with the updated Euro 6E-bis emissions standard, and comes with an 11kW bump in peak power, bringing the base mild-hybrid’s total output to 130kW, but this powertrain is not available for the Tonale in Australia.

The Tonale’s PHEV system, meanwhile, will now be offered in two states of tune, at least in Europe. One offers a peak power output of 141kW, while the other offers 198kW – down from the 208kW output of the sole Tonale PHEV variant currently available in Australia.

That’s somewhat offset by sportier driving characteristics, primarily achieved by widening the Tonale’s track width, supported by adaptive suspension damping and “the most direct steering in the segment”.

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A spokesperson for Stellantis (Alfa Romeo’s parent company) in Australia told CarExpert the updated Tonale is due to arrive in local showrooms in the second quarter of 2026. Available powertrains are yet to be confirmed.

Overseas, the entry-level Tonale gets a variant-specific 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels only. It’s available exclusively with 48V mild-hybrid technology, producing the aforementioned 130kW power output.

In comparison, the PHEV utilises a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing either 141kW or 198kW, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and “electrified” all-wheel drive.

The outgoing 208kW version has a claimed electric driving range of 61km (NEDC), though revised range claims for the revised powertrain outputs have yet to be detailed.

Additionally, Alfa Romeo will still offer a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine in the Tonale overseas. It produces 95kW and is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels only.

On the outside, the updated Tonale now sports a curvier front-end, in which the lower air intakes resemble the new Junior light SUV, while other fresh design elements draw inspiration from the Italian automaker’s racing history, and cars like the Giulia GTA.

The front overhang has been shortened to better balance the car’s proportions, and there’s a choice of alloy wheel sizes for each variant. There are also three new metallic paint colours – Rosso Brera (red), Verde Monza (green), and Giallo Orca (yellow) – and an optional two-tone arrangement with a black roof.

The interior gains a fresh selection of colours and finishes, including new ‘ribbed weave’ ‘cannelloni’ seats upholstered in red leather, and two-tone black-and-white Alcantara.

Carried over from the current car is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the latter of which supports wireless smartphone mirroring and Alfa Connect digital services.

Finally, the European Tonale model range has been rejigged. There’s a new, as-yet-unnamed base variant, headlined by 17-inch alloy wheels and black fabric upholstery, while the existing Sprint variant has been bumped up and features gloss-black body elements, 18-inch wheels, and aluminium door sill trims and pedals.

Then there’s the Ti with additional gloss-black elements, red or black leather-trimmed seats with power adjustment, and aluminium paddle shifters.

The flagship variant remains the Veloce, which gets 19-inch alloy wheels, full LED Matrix headlights, red Brembo brake calipers, dual-valve electronic damping, and twin chromed exhaust outlets for the PHEV version.

To celebrate the updated model’s reveal, Alfa is also introducing a limited-time Special Launch Edition. It builds on the Veloce by adding silver exterior accents, gloss-black Brembo brake calipers, black and white Alcantara seat trim, an Alcantara-clad dashboard, contrasting stitching, and unique ambient lighting.

The high-spec Veloce is the only Tonale trim currently on sale in Australia. Prices start at $58,900 before on-roads for the front-wheel drive Veloce hybrid, and extend to $78,500 before on-roads for the all-wheel drive Tonale PHEV.

The small premium SUV competes with the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 locally, but its 116 sales so far this year in Australia pales in comparison to the Audi’s 2962 and the BMW’s 3948.

Pricing for the updated Tonale has yet to be confirmed, either overseas or in Australia.

MORE: Explore the Alfa Romeo Tonale showroom