Alfa Romeo Tonale - long-term review

This is a sad day. The Tonale is going to meet its maker. Quite literally.

We've had the pleasure of the Alfa’s company for six months, and during that time it’s been all over the UK, carried many people and many things, and been enjoyable and also economical. Yes, we will acknowledge the pothole/puncture incident, but that could have happened to anyone in any car... and probably did (I’ve been back to the location and it’s now fixed, just in case any of you were wondering) – but today is the day it goes back to Alfa Romeo headquarters.

Those 155 days have flown by, and the question we started with was always rumbling around in the back of my mind as each trip was clocked up: does Alfa’s late arrival deserve a place at the small SUV party?

The simple and straightforward answer from six months’ experience is “yes”. No two ways about it. There are plenty of smaller, semi-luxe SUVs vying for your cash in its sector, but for me, no offering from any other company has the personality of the Alfa. Which is why, although it’s fair to say that its more Germanic rivals are all equally economical, capable and enjoyable to drive/travel in, the Tonale’s style and more stunning looks – there’s no mistaking it’s an Alfa – make it truly stand out in its sector.

Though I never reached the heady heights of the claimed economy, charging up as and when I could saw the figure gradually improve to the high 40s/low 50s mpg in real world scenarios – not bad with a right-foot-heavy driver enjoying themselves behind the wheel.

Talking of charging up, one mini-issue with the Alfa was what to do with the charging leads if the boot and car were both full and you wanted to top up on electricity... but that’s a problem all plug-ins face.

So, would I put my money where my mouth is and buy one? D’you know what? I would. It’s been reliable, fun and sassy. Say no more.