Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Alfa Romeo Tonale review - Reliability & safety

The Tonale might finally be the car to shake Alfa Romeo’s poor reputation for reliability

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

3.5 out of 5

Alfa Romeo finished fifth overall in the 2023 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. The handling and reliability of its cars were praised, even if the percentage of owners that reported issues was slightly higher than average at 28%.

Audi and BMW didn’t fare particularly well in our 2023 rundown, coming 30th and 21st out of 32 brands respectively. The Tonale uses a number of shared parts, including its underpinnings and engines, so hopefully any common issues have already been ironed out.

Alfa Romeo Tonale reliability

Alfa Romeo didn’t feature in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, but in 2020 the brand scored a top-10 finish out of 30 carmakers ranked. Handling and reliability were praised, even if the percentage of owners that reported issues was slightly higher than average.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Audi and BMW didn’t fare particularly well in our 2022 rundown, coming 22nd and 16th out of 29 brands respectively.

The Tonale uses a number of shared parts, including its underpinnings and engines, so hopefully any common issues have already been ironed out.

Safety

The Alfa Romeo Tonale earned an impressive five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety tests despite lacking centre airbags, so it’s amongst the top SUVs currently on the market here. Standard safety safety equipment list includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). These can combine to give the Tonale a level of semi-autonomous driving capability, which should make motorway driving a more relaxed experience. You may need to change lanes yourself, though.

The AEB system recognises pedestrians and cyclists as well as other vehicles, while other available features include a 360-degree surround-view camera for easy parking and warning systems that monitor your blind spots and check that the area behind you is clear when you’re reversing.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 MHEV Sprint 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £36,575

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.3 PHEV Sprint 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £44,175

Fastest

  • Name
    1.3 PHEV Sprint 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £44,175

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hot car deal: stunning Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV for £299 per month
Alfa Romeo Tonale front quarter dynamic
Deals
29 Mar 2024

Hot car deal: stunning Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV for £299 per month

Alfa Romeo Tonale review - the mid-size SUV with Italian flair
Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV front 3/4 tracking
In-depth reviews
15 Jan 2024

Alfa Romeo Tonale review - the mid-size SUV with Italian flair

Have You Considered

Lexus NX review – an efficient, upmarket hybrid SUV
Lexus NX 2024
In-depth reviews
18 Nov 2024

Lexus NX review – an efficient, upmarket hybrid SUV

BYD Sealion 7 review – a smooth SUV with BYD’s best interior yet
BYD Sealion 7 review
In-depth reviews
15 Nov 2024

BYD Sealion 7 review – a smooth SUV with BYD’s best interior yet

Most Popular

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

New Renault 5 is here! Retro EV costs from just under £23k
Renault 5
News
19 Nov 2024

New Renault 5 is here! Retro EV costs from just under £23k

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024