It snowed in Brussels during our test of the Alfa Romeo Tonale Q4 plug-in hybrid. Can the Italian SUV, based on a Jeep, maintain its performance on snowy roads as it does when there is a layer of snow all around?
Let's be frank, winter tires aren't required in Belgium. That's why I had to drive the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Q4 on summer tires in the midst of winter. I'll admit, Q4 is equivalent to 4-wheel drive. Nevertheless, four-wheel drive won't make up for the efficiency of tires bearing the renowned mountain and snowflake logo. However, Brussels is essentially a flatland, and the salted roads made the exercise relatively straightforward. Still, we still have to be cautious against a bit of slippage.
The mechanics
The Tonale, the compact SUV with the Biscione (the dragon-headed snake featured in the brand logo), utilizes the same architecture as the Jeep Compass. However, the Italian teams have infused it with a trans-Alpine identity. From a design standpoint, it's a resounding success. The vehicle exudes style on the exterior, with disco rims adding a touch of flair for enthusiasts. The interior is equally inviting, thanks to the high-quality materials used. Furthermore, the sporty in-car ambiance is pleasing. Although the central screen falls short in terms of height. Special mention is deserved for the steering wheel, which features an integrated On/Off button. In fact, let's press this button to activate the 1.3-litre 4-cylinder, developing 180hp. Well, it's the 90 kW (122 hp) electric motor that takes over. That's right! It's a rechargeable hybrid with a WLTP electric range of 63km. Let's face it, you're not going to achieve 50km on battery power. What's more, this battery does come at the expense of some cargo space in the trunk...
Conserving energy
To prevent the battery from draining before entering the Low Emission Zone, you can force the hybrid system to prioritize the petrol engine by pressing the e-Save button near the gear selector. When the first snowflakes arrive, you can shift the DNA mode dial to "A" for "All Weather", which adjusts the car's response and limits acceleration. Additionally, the Q4 all-wheel drive system splits power between the front axle driven by the combustion engine and the rear axle driven by the electric motor. Although the tires were not ideal, the Tonale maintained traction, even on an icy bridge after a turn and in an uncared-for parking lot. I was relieved to have taken some training to regain control of the vehicle and learn proper braking techniques. When the weather improved, I was able to switch from A to N mode and even try D for "Dynamic".
Ah, gluttony!
Italian cuisine is very appealing. And like this Tonale, if you're not cautious, you risk gaining weight. More than 1,800 kilograms, with no passengers, weighs a lot. So when you need to transport the whole family on the highway, the battery quickly runs out, and the internal combustion engine needs fuel. As a result, stops at the pump are very frequent. Forget the excessive official estimates. Here, people consume over 8 liters. To save your wallet, you had better be a fan of anticipatory driving and short trips of less than 50 kilometers between two electric recharges. And yet, it's enough to make you want to take it for a spin and let go of the accelerator. Because this SUV has a natural sense of trajectory. It's precise to drive, without being uncomfortable. It's possible to go even more wildly with the DNA on "D" and using the paddles behind the steering wheel to drive the 6-speed automatic gearbox. But as soon as the battery is depleted, the gasoline engine alone struggles to deliver breathtaking acceleration. This is clearly demonstrated by the rapid rev-up and associated decibels. Mass always takes its toll. When electricity is still available, the 0 to 100 km/h time is achieved in 6.2 seconds.
Darn it!
The central touchscreen is a stretched horizontal format. However, this design choice has a minor drawback. When using Android Auto, it fails to display all Google Maps shortcuts. For instance, it doesn't offer access to the new notification menu for road events, including accidents, traffic congestion, and speed cameras. You can acknowledge alert requests, but cannot initiate a hazardous situation alert yourself. Despite Alfa Romeo's emphasis on the Tonale's advanced driver assistance features, it is genuinely present. Unfortunately, this aspect is somewhat marred by the high cost of the plug-in hybrid model. Expect to pay €10,000 more than the "Ibrida" plug-in hybrid variant. The 280 hp Tonale we tested had a minimum price of €52,600 in Belgium. In France, a Tonale Q4 PHEV costs at least €51,000, €49,650 in Luxembourg, CHF52,000 in Switzerland, and $60,000 in Canada.
(Member of the media with Olivier Duquesne - Source: Alfa Romeo - Picture: (c) Olivier Duquesne)
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