Alfa Romeo will give the Tonale an interior makeover as part of its 2025 model year update.
This follows criticism of the Italian car maker’s crucial volume crossover for failing to match the fit and finish of rivals such as the Volvo XC40 and BMW X1.
As well as “primary cabin mouldings feel quite coarse and wobbly in places”, Autocar’s road test noted primary features, including air vents, infotainment screen, instrument cowl and armrest cubby felt “flimsy and a little poorly secured”.
Since going on sale at the start of 2023, just around 2000 models have been sold in the UK. Although this makes it Alfa’s best seller, that is 46,000 units behind the XC40 over the same period.
In response, the crossover’s main update comes in the form of a new centre console, that is sleeker and more improved than the pre-facelifted car’s, Alfa says. The Tonale also switches the more traditional drive selector for a new rotary selector.
Elsewhere, the also-criticised instrument cluster has been improved, with clock and fuel and battery gauges made easier to read.
As part of the update, the brand has also dropped the top-rung £45,175 Tributo Italiano trim, instead opting for a just the entry level Sprint and Veloce. This allows for a “clear and strong customer-oriented approach”, the brand says.
Two engine options are offered: the 158bhp 1.5-litre hybrid, and the 276hp plug-in hybrid..
Alfa will present the car for the first time at the Paris motor show next week. UK pricing has yet to be announced.
