17 July 16th - July 22nd, 2026 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) THE SUV THAT DRESSES BETTER THAN YOU 2026 ALFA ROMEO TONALE VELOCE AWD The 2026 Alfa Romeo The 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce AWD isn’t the Tonale Veloce AWD isn’t the crossover you buy because you crossover you buy because you spent six months comparing spent six months comparing spreadsheets. It’s the one you spreadsheets. It’s the one you buy because you walked into buy because you walked into the dealership, looked at it, the dealership, looked at it, and said, “Yep...that’s the one.” and said, “Yep...that’s the one.” Starting at $48,340, returning 21 Starting at $48,340, returning 21 city and 29 highway MPG, and city and 29 highway MPG, and wrapped in unmistakable Italian wrapped in unmistakable Italian styling, the Tonale has something styling, the Tonale has something most compact SUVs forgot they most compact SUVs forgot they needed: charisma. There are needed: charisma. There are plenty of practical crossovers on plenty of practical crossovers on the road. There aren’t many that the road. There aren’t many that make you glance back over your make you glance back over your shoulder after you park. shoulder after you park. Power comes from a Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four- turbocharged 2.0-liter four- cylinder paired with a 9-speed cylinder paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the automatic transmission, and the whole package feels eager to whole package feels eager to play. The steering is sharp, the play. The steering is sharp, the chassis feels planted, and every chassis feels planted, and every on-ramp becomes a tiny excuse on-ramp becomes a tiny excuse to pretend you’re chasing podium to pretend you’re chasing podium finishes through the hills outside finishes through the hills outside Turin instead of heading to Trader Turin instead of heading to Trader Joe’s. It’s comfortable enough for Joe’s. It’s comfortable enough for the daily grind but lively enough to the daily grind but lively enough to remind you that driving can still be remind you that driving can still be entertaining. There’s a little bit of entertaining. There’s a little bit of drama in the way it accelerates, drama in the way it accelerates, the way it corners, and even the the way it corners, and even the way it looks sitting still. That’s the way it looks sitting still. That’s the Italian influence. They don’t make Italian influence. They don’t make beige. beige. The Tonale isn’t trying to be The Tonale isn’t trying to be the biggest SUV in the parking lot the biggest SUV in the parking lot or the most practical. It wants to or the most practical. It wants to make you smile every time you make you smile every time you hit the start button, and honestly, hit the start button, and honestly, it succeeds. Sure, there are it succeeds. Sure, there are competitors with bigger cargo competitors with bigger cargo areas or a few more cupholders, areas or a few more cupholders, but can they make a grocery but can they make a grocery run feel like the opening scene run feel like the opening scene of an Italian action movie? of an Italian action movie? Didn’t think so. If you’ve always Didn’t think so. If you’ve always wanted something that blends wanted something that blends luxury, performance, and a little luxury, performance, and a little European swagger without European swagger without climbing into six-figure territory, climbing into six-figure territory, the Tonale Veloce deserves a the Tonale Veloce deserves a look. As they say in Italy, la dolce look. As they say in Italy, la dolce vita. Or as I like to call it... Costco, vita. Or as I like to call it... Costco, but make it fashion. but make it fashion. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
