Is the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce worth the extra money compared to the Dodge Hornet?
summary
- The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce surpasses the 2023 Dodge Hornet with its luxury features, advanced technology, and Italian charm.
- The Tonale Veloce offers a hybrid powertrain with impressive mileage, earning an EPA-certified rating of 77 mpg and a range of up to 33 miles on a single charge.
- While the Tonale Veloce comes at a higher price compared to the Hornet, leasing an Alfa Romeo model becomes more affordable due to the federal electric vehicle income tax credit.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet and 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale recently emerged as compact SUVs that promise sophistication, high-tech features, and, most importantly, undeniable charm. while Alfa Romeo It’s been a year late to the party — it only recently arrived on U.S. shores — and it has very effectively stolen the spotlight from the Hornet.
the Dodge Hornet 2023 He has an assertive presence, to say the least. It features a combination of muscular and Italian design with an internal combustion engine under the hood. Furthermore, its GT model offers a somewhat attractive price tag of $30,000 over the base model from Alfa Romeo, starting at an MSRP of $42,995. That’s about a $13,000 difference – not including the extra features.
Going for the Veloce model, the price could reach $47,500, compared to the R/T version of the Hornet, which is priced at $39,995. The two best lots are $7,500 apart. This raises the question of whether or not the Tonale Veloce is worth the extra money. In his latest video, TheSketchMonkey seems to think so.
2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce under review
The latest Alfa Romeo Tonale compact SUV brings with it a wide range of features, particularly the fully optioned Veloce model. It’s a luxury hybrid and, as the manufacturer suggests, a compact SUV “on a whole new level.”
The Tonale Veloce has an EPA-certified rating of 77 mpg. On a single charge, the Tonale can range up to 33 miles. It’s not a big deal, but the ICE and all-electric options can be combined to give you the flawless mileage you’re looking for.
performance
|
0-60 mph |
6.0 seconds |
|
maximum speed |
130 mph |
|
Curb weight |
4,133 lbs. |
|
Horse power |
285 hp |
|
Torque |
350 ft. lbs |
|
Planning |
Electric/gas turbo intercooled all-wheel drive up front |
|
mileage |
77 mpg |
Alfa Romeo points out that the Tonali – especially the Veloce – is not just another addition to the lineup. It’s a combination of a dreamy sports car and a compact SUV designed for comfort. Its Italian roots are clearly evident in the soft curves, curves and lines that extend from the hood to the taillights.
Moreover, this Alfa offers capabilities that rival its long-established competitors such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes GLA, and not only its sister Dodge Hornet. While those aspire to a sporty look, the Tonale Veloce’s is more in line with comfort and relaxation – like other crossovers like the Evoque and the notably underrated Volvo XC40.
Under the hood is Alfa Romeo’s big step towards going electric. It is, in essence, a precursor to its electric future. This Tonale hybrid lineup delivers the best-in-class Plug-In Hybrid Q4, clocking in at 268 hp (200 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque. Moreover, it features a four-wheel drive system via an electrically operated rear axle. All of this is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine (PHEV). It all combines to make the all-new 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce one of our favorite compact luxury SUVs for 2023.
A closer look at the aesthetics of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tanol Veloce
Furthermore, the Veloce also gets Alfa Romeo’s signature five-slot tyres, which showcase bright red Brembo disc brakes. But apart from the exterior, the Alfa Roma’s interior is also designed for comfort – just like the fire-breathing Quadrifoglio.
He takes a monochromatic approach to interior design. Of course, not everyone is happy about this. For example, TheSketchMonkey suggested that they “would prefer to add contrast to the Verde Fangio or even the same color.” It’s important to note that the Verde Fangio Tri-Coat metallic green color is exclusive to the Veloce and may cost an additional $2,200.
The Tonale debuted as a concept car in 2019 and was delayed in arriving in the United States. However, when it arrives, this is the last year of the gas-powered crossover before the EV model debuts in 2025. The 2024 model features Alfa’s signature curves and trim. This includes slim triple-cylinder LED lights at both the front and rear.
Inside, the Veloce features several alloy finishes, with the steering and pedals comfortably placed at the steering base. Some enthusiasts argue that although the driving position is comfortable, the edge of the center console may be an issue for taller individuals. He comes into contact with the left knee frequently.
When the trunk is opened, the practical boot has a raised floor, hiding the spare tire. As for the back seats, they have ample space even for taller people. There’s plenty of headroom, two USB charging ports and two cup holders in the back, too. There is a 60/40 split-folding design for the rear seats, which enhances luggage space. As a compact SUV that focuses on comfort, it also has Isofix anchors for child seats. The SUV is built to last with high-quality parts from top to bottom.
Finally, the toolkit. “The good news here is that we still have physical buttons. Fortunately. Thank you Dodge or Alfa Romeo – who were the first to implement physical buttons in your new Hornet and Tonale. These buttons give the car a traditional look while allowing modern functionality with the ease of use of physical buttons.”
These buttons, in addition to the display, allow drivers to customize the display, vehicle settings and other elements – including interior climate control and hybrid system monitoring. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the cameras around it provide crystal-clear resolution of the surroundings. Most people have always been afraid to buy an Alfa Romeo due to reliability issues. But the build quality of this interior addresses that concern and many others that fans may have.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce and Dodge Hornet are essentially siblings. However, the most noticeable difference between the two is the difference in engines. The Dodge Hornet GT and GT Plus have a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that generates 268 horsepower. On the other hand, the R/T version will have a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, along with an electric motor that generates 288 horsepower.
The Tonale Veloce offers a hybrid powertrain in the United States, as discussed above. According to Alfa Romeo, these numbers make it “the most powerful compact SUV in its class.” Having said that, the Alfa Romeo’s quoted 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds is 0.5 seconds slower than the Hornet R/T. Maybe Alfa Romeo thinks the Tonale is a step up from luxury, while Dodge is meant to be a mass market offering.
Furthermore, compared to the Tonale Veloce’s rating of 77 mpg, the Dodge Hornet has a lower than average EPA combined rating of 24 mpg. This automatically makes Alfa Romeo stand out from the crowd for long road trips. While it’s true that the base model Veloce costs significantly more than the Hornet, it’s important to note that if drivers choose to lease the car, it will end up costing less than its sibling.
This is due to the engine of the Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce electric car. While the Dodge Hornet GT has an internal combustion engine, the Tonali qualifies for the federal income tax credit for electric vehicles. This tax credit applies to fully electric cars, hybrid cars, and fuel cell electric vehicles purchased in 2023 or later. However, it is important to note that this tax credit only applies to leases, as the Tonale is manufactured in Naples, Italy.
With this tax credit, the price of the leased Tonale is reduced from $42,995 to $35,495 (MSRP) – which is less than the purchase price of the Hornet.
