The Alfa Romeo Tonale Model That U.S. Doesn’t Get

With the debut of the Alfa Romeo Tonale in dealerships across North America, the Italian brand is bringing a much-awaited third entry to its small lineup. The new Tonale enters the competitive C-UV segment with an efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). However, Canadian dealers have been taking delivery of a non-PHEV model, something that isn’t available in the United States.

Equipped with a potent turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine boasting a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger, direct fuel injection, and engine stop-start (ESS) technology, the Tonale offers the quintessential Alfa Romeo dynamic performance and drivability. This powerplant delivers an impressive 256 horsepower and a robust 295 lb.-ft. of torque, providing exhilarating performance on the road. What’s more, it comes standard with the brand’s renowned Q4 AWD system, ensuring exceptional traction and handling in diverse driving conditions.

Canadian customers have the option to choose between the Tonale Sprint and Veloce trims, both powered by the robust 2.0-liter engine. This broader selection allows buyers to tailor their Tonale to their preferences, whether they prioritize sporty performance or a more luxurious driving experience.

However, it’s worth noting that the Tonale with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is exclusively available in the Canadian market. Alfa Romeo North America decided not to introduce this particular model to the U.S. market, a decision influenced by the remarkable pre-order success of its corporate sibling, the Dodge Hornet GT AWD, which garnered significant attention and demand in the United States.

In an interesting turn of events, the Dodge Hornet arrived in the U.S. market earlier, aimed at disrupting the C-UV segment with more of a mainstream performance focus with more horsepower. This strategic move by Dodge added a layer of distinction between the two models, allowing them to coexist in the North American market with varying specifications and pricing.

The Hornet and Tonale may share a striking resemblance, but they are distinctively packaged vehicles. It’s intriguing that Alfa Romeo opted not to introduce this model to its U.S. dealer network. After all, Dodge and Alfa Romeo showrooms have notably different atmospheres in the U.S., making it unlikely that many Dodge buyers would consider exploring offerings from the Italian brand.

This particular 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Sprint Q4 2.0 is currently available at Alfa Romeo of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario.

2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Sprint Q4 2.0 Image Gallery:

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