2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale vs 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

$36,495 · Crossover

$39,890 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid centers on fuel economy, with the Kia offering an 11 MPG combined advantage (35 MPG vs. 24 MPG). The Kia, however, commands a $3,395 higher MSRP, starting at $39,890 compared to the Tonale's $36,495. Power output heavily favors the Kia, which delivers 261 hp, although the Tonale's engine output remains unspecified, suggesting a notable 261 hp performance deficit based on the available data for the Kia. Dimensionally, the Sportage PHEV is longer at 183.5 inches versus the Tonale's 178.3 inches and provides substantially more usable space, boasting 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Tonale's 22.9 cu ft. Furthermore, the Tonale exclusively mandates premium unleaded fuel, whereas the Sportage PHEV utilizes regular unleaded, impacting long-term operational costs.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

Choose the Alfa Romeo Tonale if...

Budget consciousness is a top priority, favoring the $36,495 entry price.
A preference exists for a tighter exterior footprint (178.3 inches long) for urban maneuverability.
The driver is willing to pay extra for premium fuel to access the ownership experience.

Choose the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid if...

Maximizing cargo capacity is essential, requiring the 34.5 cu ft volume.
Lower running costs derived from 35 MPG combined efficiency are desired.
Access to 34 miles of electric-only driving capability is important for short trips.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Tonale	Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Length	178.3"	183.5"
Width	72.4"	73.4"
Height	63.2"	66.9"
Wheelbase	103.8"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
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	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Horsepower	—	261 hp
Torque	—	258 lb-ft

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Locking

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/29 MPG	36/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	283.5/391.5 mi.	399.6/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	88/79 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	84 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	34 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	40
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Infotainment Display	10.2 in	12.3 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

Power Feature

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Front Head Room	38.8 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	54.8 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	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R18	235/55R19

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Kia
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.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
EV Battery Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.

How does the required fuel type impact the long-term cost difference between these crossovers?

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale requires premium unleaded, incurring higher per-gallon costs. Conversely, the 2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded and achieves 11 MPG better combined efficiency, lowering operational expenditures significantly.

What is the measured difference in size and interior capacity?

The Kia Sportage PHEV is 5.2 inches longer (183.5 in vs. 178.3 in) and features 11.6 cubic feet more cargo space (34.5 cu ft vs. 22.9 cu ft), offering a substantial practicality advantage.

How does the power output discrepancy affect driving dynamics?

The Kia provides a known benchmark of 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Tonale's horsepower is undisclosed, suggesting the Kia holds a definitive measurable advantage in raw output for this comparison.

Is the price difference justified by the efficiency gains in the Kia?

The $3,395 price increase for the Sportage PHEV buys the buyer 11 combined MPG improvement, a 34-mile electric range, and significantly more cargo volume.

Are there any powertrain configuration differences besides the plug-in capability?

The Sportage PHEV uses a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Tonale utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic, suggesting a different approach to gear selection and engine management.