Alfa Romeo Tonale review

The Tonale kicks off right in the thick of the posh end of smallish-but-quite-practical-crossovers, too, starting at £37,665 – or around £410 per month – in entry-level base spec.

The plug-in hybrid version represents a six grand premium over its mild hybrid base, starting at £43,560. But fleet users will likely identify it as the smarter choice with kinder Benefit-in-Kind tax.

You can expect to pay around the same amount for any of its rivals, including the Audi Q3,BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40. A Range Rover Evoque starts around £10k more.

What are the kit options?

The entry-level Tonale gets 17-inch alloys, full LED headlights and taillights with the signature 3+3 design, black fabric seats with contrasting stitching, 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and keyless entry.

Next up is Ti trim, which starts from £41,265 and gets 18-inch phone-dial wheels, gloss black window frames, a heated steering wheel, aluminium paddle shifters, heated and ventilated red/black leather seats, and Alfa’s connected satnav system.

Upgrade to the Veloce (from £43,565), and you’ll get 19-inch wheels, red Brembo brake callipers, the fancier suspension, full LED matrix headlights, twin chrome tailpipes, and some nicer trim inside.

If you’re swift, there’s a limited ‘Sport Speciale’ edition that splits the Ti and Veloce on price – it starts from £42,870 – and brings 20in alloys, some more distinctive trim including a gloss-black body kit with silver accents on the side skirts and rear bumper, gloss-black Brembo calipers and distinctive white Alfa Romeo lettering. Inside, it gets black and white Alcantara seats with white stitching and ambient lighting with unique graphics.

What’s the best spec?

Honestly, we don’t think you need to look beyond the entry-level spec with the 1.5-litre mild hybrid engine unless you’re buying with your company hat on.

Spend any extra on one of the fancier paint jobs – of which there are now more than ever before, metallic starting at £850 and bi-colour with black roof (which you don’t need) from £1,150 – you’ll want Montreal Green just for the name. Job done.