Alfa Romeo's Tonale Replacement Is Coming — Here's What We Know

Alfa Romeo has pulled back the curtain — just slightly — on the successor to the Tonale, and if you're a WA buyer who's had the Italian small SUV on your radar, this is worth paying attention to.

The brand has released a single teaser image of what it's calling a "C-segment SUV" — notably avoiding any mention of the Tonale name — strongly hinting the new model will wear a different badge entirely. The silhouette shows an aggressively raked roofline, pointing to a coupe-SUV body style rather than the upright, more practical shape of the current Tonale.

A Proper Platform Upgrade

The current Tonale was one of the last vehicles developed under the old Fiat Chrysler banner, riding on an aged platform with roots stretching back to the mid-2000s. The replacement moves to Stellantis's modern STLA Medium architecture — the same underpinnings used by the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, and the new Jeep Compass. That's a significant step forward in terms of technology and refinement.

Because STLA Medium is a multi-energy platform, the new Alfa Romeo SUV is expected to be offered with 48V mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric drivetrains. For Perth drivers watching fuel prices tick upward at the bowser, the plug-in hybrid option in particular could make a compelling case — short commutes on electric, with petrol backup for those longer runs up to Lancelin or down to Mandurah.

Alfa Romeo describes the powertrain lineup as designed "to compete in the heart of the market", which in Australian terms means it'll be squaring up against the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, and Volkswagen Tiguan — a competitive but lucrative space.

What to Expect and When

Styling is being handled by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo in Turin, and the car will be produced at Alfa's Melfi factory in southern Italy. The launch is slated for the fourth quarter of 2027, which means Australian deliveries — accounting for the usual lag between European launches and local availability — are likely a 2028 affair at the earliest.

This new SUV won't arrive alone. Alfa Romeo is also working on a long-overdue successor to the Giulietta hatch, which was discontinued in 2020, alongside next-generation versions of the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV. Both the Giulia and Stelvio replacements have been delayed after Alfa added combustion-powered variants to their development plans — a reflection of slower EV uptake globally, particularly in North America.

For WA buyers, the coupe-SUV body style is worth considering practically. The raked roofline typically means a tighter rear cabin and reduced boot space compared to a conventional SUV — something to keep in mind if you're regularly loading up for a Rottnest trip or hauling gear to the hills. That said, if you're after something that cuts through Perth traffic with a bit of Italian flair, the new Alfa could fit the brief nicely.

We'll bring you pricing and specification details as they emerge closer to launch.