The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce is a trailblazing sports SUV with an impressive array of best-in-class technical features.

We first caught a sneak peek of the Tonale back in 2019 when, displayed to the public as a concept vehicle, it was greeted with great enthusiasm by car connoisseurs. Fast forward to 2023 and, thanks to the team at Behbehani Brothers, we found ourselves staring at a vehicle that proved even more impressive in the flesh or, should we say, in the paint.

Unmistakable Exterior Design

What stood out to us most about this all-new Alfa was its exuberant curves, complemented by the brand’s customary flair. An aggressive-looking bonnet culminates in the brand’s unmistakable scudetto – finished in black – with the classic Alfa Romeo emblem sitting front and centre like a badge of honour. Further emphasising the car’s contemporary design are sleek, triple-barrelled, sinecurve headlights with new full-LED adaptive matrix.

As we moved to the sides, we appreciated the smooth transition of the car’s bodyline that accentuates the all-round athletic stance of this SUV.

Our must-mention features of the flanks include the striking five-hole wheel rims, along with the model’s standard 19- inch, diamond-cut alloy wheels, underscored by red-painted Brembo brake callipers. Ornamentation is delivered through elegant Veloce model badges located on the fenders. We also appreciated the gloss black painted window surrounds that underscore the privacy glass – perfect to enjoy a moment to yourself and avoid the summer sun.

At the back end we found the three-plus-three taillights to ensure a balanced overall look to the exterior, with the familiar Alfa Romeo emblem sitting proudly above the elegant Tonale badge. Delivering a subtle promise of superior performance are two separate tailpipes located on each side of the diffuser.

Convenient Cockpit

Once inside, we were initially taken by the abundance of space on offer as well as the comfort provided by the perforated Alcantara and leatherette seats. We discovered a roomy and driver-friendly cockpit that provides a relaxed and convenient environment from which to operate this tidy and trendy SUV.

It was, however, in the little details that the Tonale’s interior truly began to shine. A beefy gear selector complete with a little tricolore flag, allows for effortless selection between the Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive options.

Alfa Romeo have also provided additional traditional touches in their new SUV, with all perfectly placed gauges reverting to the brand’s historic twin-portal design, albeit now in digital format.

We collectively agreed that the three-spoke sports steering wheel felt perfect in hand and combined with the aluminium pedals, door sills and shift paddles, imbued the Tonale’s interior with a sense of high expense.

New Age Tech And Infotainment

After fiddling with the Tonale’s all-new infotainment system for a day, we now understand why this SUV’s fast and efficient interface – perfect for multitasking – is considered best-in-class in its segment.

This customisable Android operating system, featuring 4G connectivity and over-the-air updates, includes a fully digital 12.3- inch screen, in addition to the primary 10.25-inch touchscreen unit. We established that amongst the main drawing cards of this system are its easily discernible screen layouts, along with the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant features, both allowing hands to be kept on the steering wheel as much as possible.

Moreover, we found the traditional USB and USB-C ports in the front and back of the car, along with the wireless charging pad up front, to add to the convenient nature of the Tonale’s distinguished interior.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the new Tonale is the inclusion of industry-first technology. The brand has debuted non-fungible token (NFT) technology that links the car with an NFT digital certificate. In a nutshell, this groundbreaking tech, based on the blockchain card concept, records the main stages in the life of an individual vehicle. With the customer’s consent, the NFT will record vehicle data, generating a certificate that can be used as a guarantee that the car has been properly maintained, thereby providing a positive impact on its residual value.

Imposing Power And Performance

Powered by a turbo-charged GDI (gasoline direct injection), four-cylinder, fuel injection system, the all-new Tonale proved more than capable when out on the tarmac. Coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this sprightly SUV produces 268hp and 400Nm of power at 3000rpm.

After putting it through its paces, we concluded that the Tonale’s power is complemented by its best-in-class driving dynamics. Thanks to its optimised weight distribution, suspension system and direct steering, it delivers impeccable dynamic behaviour that endows the SUV with the feel of a high-performance sports car. We must say, we had a thoroughly enjoyable on-road experience in this most capable vehicle.

“An aggressivelooking bonnet culminates in the brand’s unmistakable scudetto – finished in black – with the classic Alfa Romeo emblem sitting front and centre like a badge of honour.”

The inclusion of Level 2 autonomous driving with new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) added to the feeling of complete control and comfort provided by this exceptional Alfa Romeo specimen. This superior system includes intelligent adaptive cruise control (IACC), lane centring (LC) and traffic jam assist – which automatically adjusts speed and trajectory, keeping the car in the middle of the lane and at a distance from the vehicle in front.

Our Verdict

The all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale is a classy and capable sports SUV, offering an abundance of cutting-edge tech and a safe and comfortable travelling environment. ✤

GO: CALL BEHBEHANI BROTHERS ON 1745 9955 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OF YOUR OWN.