2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale

In the realm of luxury SUVs, the German marques—Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz—have unquestionably established dominance, and this comes as no surprise. Renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship, comfort, practicality, and formidable overall performance, they’ve earned their place at the forefront. However, those in search of an intriguing alternative might be enticed by the all-new 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale (pronounced akin to “tamale”).

Positioned as a subcompact SUV, the Tonale finds its niche within the Alfa lineup just beneath the larger Stelvio SUV. Much like its Stelvio sibling, the Tonale makes a bold statement, showcasing its performance-oriented identity through striking headlights, the iconic inverted triangular Alfa Romeo grille, and a commanding, athletic stance. This design ethos stands in stark contrast to the Jeep Compass, with which it shares some foundational elements. Drawing on Alfa’s recent history, it’s likely that the Tonale’s driving dynamics will provide an engaging experience, even though its modest cargo capacity does impact practicality.

With optimism, the Tonale aims to enhance Alfa Romeo’s build quality, a factor that has been criticized in models like the Stelvio and Giulia, known for emitting creaks reminiscent of a ship at sea during a storm. If this aspect is addressed, the Tonale could potentially sidestep a lackluster position. In a segment populated by contenders such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB, BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Volvo XC40, the Tonale’s ranking could hinge on these improvements.

For those curious, stay tuned for more comprehensive details and driving experiences as the early 2023 on-sale date approaches for the Tonale.

 

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia

In the competitive arena of the U.S. sedan market, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia stands as a direct rival to some of the most renowned contenders. This four-door, five-passenger vehicle enters the fray against illustrious names like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4. In the face of this impressive lineup, the Giulia boldly embraces its strengths in performance handling, robust acceleration, and an interior that impeccably reflects its Italian heritage. It triumphs by delivering more baseline horsepower than a majority of its peers, while the Quadrifoglio ultra-performance variant boasts an all-aluminum 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that boasts an astonishing 505 horsepower.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia distinguishes itself by being among the more compact vehicles within its category. In fact, it’s about 3 inches shorter than the 3 Series and 5 inches shorter than the A4. This compact size, coupled with its rear-wheel-drive platform, does lead to a relatively smaller interior space compared to certain competitors. Nonetheless, for extended journeys accommodating four passengers, the Giulia manages admirably. Moreover, it surpasses several rivals in terms of driving enjoyment. If a smoother ride is of greater importance, the C-Class could be a consideration; while it now leans towards sportiness, it still retains a touch more comfort than the Giulia, even though it’s more dynamic than the C-Classes of previous generations.

 

2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In the realm of luxury vehicles, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio resembles a remarkably handsome but aging celebrity. Fans can easily recognize the initial allure that made him captivating, yet there’s a sense that his prime days might be in the rearview mirror. This sentiment is further compounded by the fact that the Stelvio competes within one of the most fiercely contested segments of the luxury car industry. This arena is teeming with heavyweights like the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and Genesis GV70. Confronted with these adversaries, many of which boast more recent iterations, the Stelvio leans heavily on its aesthetics and innate sophistication. Its exterior design is undeniably appealing, while the interior radiates a design flair that remains quintessentially Italian.

Although luxury crossovers don’t traditionally prioritize handling and performance, these attributes are precisely where the Stelvio excels. It outpaces its competitors with a more robust base horsepower. Elevating the ante, the Quadrifoglio variant catapults this figure past the 500-horsepower mark, a realm of exhilarating power.

While the Alfa Romeo Stelvio shares dimensions similar to its direct rivals, it possesses a distinct feeling of compactness. This quality proves advantageous in terms of handling, yet it comes with some trade-offs in cargo capacity and front legroom. Regardless, the Stelvio proves itself as an enjoyable SUV that comfortably accommodates up to five adults. Seat comfort earns high marks, and the ride, although firm, delivers a satisfying experience for everyday cruising.