2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale vs 2025 Ford Explorer

$36,495 · Crossover

$40,050 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and the 2025 Ford Explorer is the powertrain output, with the Explorer delivering 300 hp compared to the Tonale's unlisted figure, alongside 310 lb-ft of torque for the Explorer. Pricing also separates the models by $3,555, as the Tonale starts at $36,495 while the Explorer begins at $40,050. Despite the power differential, both crossovers achieve an identical 24 combined MPG, though the Tonale requires premium unleaded fuel, while the Explorer utilizes regular. Dimensional analysis shows the Explorer is substantially larger, measuring 198.8 inches long versus the Tonale's 178.3 inches. Conversely, the smaller Tonale offers greater inherent utility with 22.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft in base configuration.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale

The Tonale's smaller exterior dimensions (178.3 inches length) suggest easier urban maneuverability, despite matching 24 combined MPG with the Explorer.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Ford Explorer

The Explorer's significantly larger physical footprint, evidenced by its 198.8-inch length and 78.9-inch width, likely translates to superior passenger and load-carrying capability, although its base cargo capacity is surprisingly lower at 18.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Explorer

The Explorer explicitly details a substantial 300 hp output and 310 lb-ft of torque, figures unavailable for the Tonale, suggesting a higher performance ceiling.

💰 Best Value

2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale

The Tonale undercuts the Explorer's MSRP by $3,555 while achieving the same 24 combined MPG rating.

Choose the Alfa Romeo Tonale if...

Prioritizing a lower initial purchase price under $37,000 is necessary.
Desiring a smaller, more compact crossover footprint for urban driving.
Valuing slightly higher inherent cargo volume (22.9 cu ft vs. 18.2 cu ft) in a smaller package.

Choose the Ford Explorer if...

A preference for a more powerful engine setup with documented 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque is important.
Requiring the larger overall vehicle dimensions, including greater height (69.9 inches).
Needing a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) based platform rather than the Tonale's AWD setup.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Tonale	Ford Explorer
Length	178.3"	198.8"
Width	72.4"	78.9"
Height	63.2"	69.9"
Wheelbase	103.8"	119.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber)	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Horsepower	—	300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	—	310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/29 MPG	20/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	283.5/391.5 mi.	358.0/519.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	17.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Infotainment Display	10.2 in	—
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Front Head Room	38.8 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	61.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	59.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Rear Head Room	38.2 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	39.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	61.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	59.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R18	P255/65R18
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Ford
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and 2025 Ford Explorer.

Does the lower MSRP of the Alfa Romeo Tonale offset its required premium fuel?

The Tonale mandates premium unleaded while the Explorer uses regular, meaning the $3,555 upfront savings must be weighed against higher per-gallon fuel costs over the vehicle's lifespan.

How does the smaller Tonale manage to have more cargo space than the much larger Explorer?

Despite the Ford Explorer being 20.5 inches longer (198.8 vs 178.3 inches), the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale offers 22.9 cu ft versus the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft, suggesting packaging differences favoring rear storage volume in the smaller vehicle.

What is the fundamental drivetrain difference between these two AWD/RWD vehicles?

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale employs an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, whereas the 2025 Ford Explorer comes standard with a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) configuration.

Is the driving experience drastically different given the transmission variance?

The Tonale utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the Explorer uses a 10-speed automatic, potentially offering the Explorer an additional gear ratio for optimized highway cruising efficiency.

How significant is the 300 hp advantage the Explorer holds?

The 300 hp figure noted for the Explorer represents a substantial power gap over the Tonale (whose power output is not specified), strongly indicating superior acceleration capabilities for the larger Ford SUV.