2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$36,495 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between European flair and outright utility often plagues crossover shoppers. If you're torn between sharp styling and sheer practicality, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and the 2025 Subaru Ascent present two very different paths. The Tonale is the more budget-friendly option, starting at $36,495, and it manages a slightly better fuel economy of 24 combined MPG, though it mandates premium unleaded fuel. The Ascent demands $3,500 more at $39,995 but compensates with substantial size and power, boasting 260 hp compared to the Tonale's unknown figure. You also sacrifice some utility in the smaller Tonale, which offers 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Ascent's larger footprint (196.8 inches long) and 17.8 cu ft of cargo room, indicating a different interior focus. Both offer standard all-wheel drive, but the transmission setups differ significantly: the Tonale uses a 9-speed automatic, while the Ascent relies on a CVT.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

Choose the Alfa Romeo Tonale if...

Your budget is strictly capped below $37,000 for a premium AWD crossover.
You prioritize slightly better fuel economy, achieving 29 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a traditional geared automatic transmission (9-speed) over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You require substantial power, leveraging the 260 hp rating for merging and passing.
You need the largest possible vehicle footprint and capability for hauling people or cargo.
You prefer vehicles designed to run on regular unleaded fuel instead of premium.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Alfa Romeo Tonale	Subaru Ascent
Length	178.3"	196.8"
Width	72.4"	76.0"
Height	63.2"	71.6"
Wheelbase	103.8"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
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	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 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	—	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	—	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/29 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	283.5/391.5 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
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	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Infotainment Display	10.2 in	11.6 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	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Front Head Room	38.8 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	57.8 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	—
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
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.2 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R18	245/60R
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Alfa Romeo	Subaru
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.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

Does the Alfa Romeo Tonale require expensive fuel?

Yes, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel, which will factor into long-term running costs compared to the Ascent's regular unleaded requirement.

How much larger is the Subaru Ascent in physical size?

The Subaru Ascent is significantly longer, measuring 196.8 inches compared to the Tonale's 178.3 inches, and is also wider and taller, suggesting a much roomier cabin environment.

If I care most about horsepower, which crossover wins?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is the clear winner here, explicitly listing 260 hp, which substantially outweighs the power figure (though unlisted) of the Tonale.

Do both models come standard with All-Wheel Drive?

Both the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and the 2025 Subaru Ascent come equipped with all-wheel drive as standard equipment across their base models.

How does the cargo capacity compare between these two crossovers?

The Tonale offers 22.9 cu ft of cargo space, which is more volume than the Subaru Ascent provides at 17.8 cu ft, suggesting the Ascent prioritizes rear passenger space over absolute cargo floor size.