2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

$36,495 · Crossover

$34,300 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Igniting passion on the road, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale promises Italian flair wrapped in a compact, AWD package starting at $36,495. Its distinctiveness lies in delivering that undeniable Alfa soul, even with a modest 24 combined MPG utilizing required premium fuel. Contrast this with the massive, capable 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, boasting a substantial 277 hp output and 311 lb-ft of torque, which achieves the same 24 combined MPG running on regular unleaded. The Santa Fe is significantly larger, measuring 190.2 inches in length compared to the Tonale's 178.3 inches. While the Santa Fe prioritizes sheer size, evidenced by its greater width (74.8 inches versus 72.4 inches), the Tonale offers a sharper, more focused driving footprint. Buyers must weigh the Santa Fe's impressive horsepower against the Alfa's inherent design appeal and standard AWD.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe runs on regular unleaded fuel and offers a more traditionally accommodating size for navigating daily traffic.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Although cargo capacity is only 14.6 cu ft for the Santa Fe (less than the Tonale's 22.9 cu ft in one measurement), its substantially greater exterior dimensions suggest better overall cabin space for passengers.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe delivers a significant performance advantage with its documented 277 hp versus the Tonale's unspecified output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe undercuts the Tonale's starting price at $34,300 and does not require more expensive premium fuel.

Choose the Alfa Romeo Tonale if...

All-wheel drive capability is a non-negotiable necessity for varied weather.
The owner prioritizes a shorter, more nimble exterior footprint (178.3 inches long).
The specific aesthetic and driving dynamics associated with the Alfa Romeo brand are paramount.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Maximizing raw horsepower (277 hp) and torque (311 lb-ft) is the primary goal.
The buyer wants to save money by using regular unleaded gasoline.
A larger overall presence, indicated by its 190.2-inch length and 67.7-inch height, is desired.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Tonale	Hyundai Santa Fe
Length	178.3"	190.2"
Width	72.4"	74.8"
Height	63.2"	67.7"
Wheelbase	103.8"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 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	—	277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	—	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
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.	354.0/513.3 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
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	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	10.2 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	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
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Front Head Room	38.8 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	59.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	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	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	38.2 in.	40.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	42.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	54.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Does the higher horsepower of the Santa Fe translate to better fuel economy?

No, surprisingly, both crossovers achieve an identical 24 combined MPG rating. However, the Santa Fe uses less expensive regular unleaded while the Tonale requires premium.

How much bigger is the Hyundai Santa Fe in size compared to the Alfa Romeo Tonale?

The Santa Fe is significantly larger, measuring 190.2 inches long and 67.7 inches tall, whereas the Tonale is noticeably shorter at 178.3 inches in length and 63.2 inches in height.

Why does the Alfa Romeo Tonale require premium unleaded fuel?

Premium fuel is typically required to maximize performance and prevent knocking in higher-compression or turbocharged engines, supporting its driving feel.

Is the base Hyundai Santa Fe better equipped for dynamic handling than the Alfa Romeo?

Based on specifications, the Santa Fe's front-wheel drive layout contrasts with the Tonale's standard all-wheel drive, suggesting the Tonale might have an edge in slick conditions, despite the Santa Fe's superior horsepower.

What are the implications of the difference in transmission types?

The Tonale features a 9-speed shiftable automatic, suggesting more gear ratios for smoother acceleration, while the Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automated manual, which can sometimes offer a more direct, performance-oriented feel.