Alfa Romeo references the arrival of the Tonale as the beginning of La Metamorfosi, or a metamorphosis towards a new electric future. Sister model to the Dodge Hornet, this Italian subcompact SUV comes as a plug-hybrid only and stays true to the brand’s blend of unique styling and sharp handling.

While I recognize its history, historically I haven’t been a fan of the quirky three-piece triangular trefoil grilles adorning the nose of Alfas. That said, the application on the Tonale is well done featuring a small sporty blacked out mesh centre shield and matching lower air intake.

The “3+3” daytime running lights housed in the slim LED headlamps look fantastic and serve double duty as dynamic turn signals. A slim full-width light bar at the rear contains matching elements, completed by a glossy black diffuser underneath. Classic telephone dial alloy wheels round out the package.

While some luxury competitors have turned the interior space into a disco, Alfa Romeo has taken a more subtle approach here implementing a silver textured panel running the length of the dashboard that is gently backlit at night. The chunky all-aluminum shifter paddles behind the steering wheel reinforce the premium aesthetic in the cabin.

As opposed to the Hornet’s lineup, which includes a base fully internal combustion engine, the Tonale only comes with a PHEV powertrain consisting of a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder driving the front wheels and a 90-kilowatt electric motor mounted at the rear axle creating all-wheel drive. The onboard 15.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery can provide up to 50 kilometres of pure electric operation.

Rated at 285 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque the vehicle is quite peppy and rides smoothly, though the I.C.E. is a bit noisy and jarring when kicking in. A fully independent MacPherson suspension provides that signature solid Alfa feel during high-speed cornering.

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale is built alongside the Dodge Hornet at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy. Prices start at $48,690.