2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale vs 2026 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence is the $8,775 MSRP difference, positioning the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale at $36,495 versus the 2026 Toyota Highlander at $45,270. Power output also presents a substantial delta; the Highlander generates 265 hp, information not provided for the Tonale, suggesting a performance disparity. Fuel economy is identical at 24 MPG combined for both AWD crossovers, achieving 21 MPG city. The Highlander is significantly larger, measuring 194.9 inches long compared to the Tonale's 178.3 inches, resulting in substantial external dimension differences. Conversely, the Tonale offers more usable storage space with 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Highlander's 16 cu ft. The Tonale mandates premium unleaded fuel, while the Highlander accepts regular unleaded.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale
Lower initial MSRP makes the Tonale a more accessible entry point for daily commuting needs.
2026 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander's substantial 16.6-inch length advantage (194.9 in vs 178.3 in) likely translates to superior passenger and outright utility volume despite its lower quoted cargo capacity figure.
2026 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander explicitly lists 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, providing a quantifiable advantage over the Tonale for performance-oriented drivers.
2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale
The Tonale provides equivalent 24 MPG combined efficiency at a significantly lower $36,495 entry price.
Choose the Alfa Romeo Tonale if...
- Budget constraints necessitate a crossover under $37,000 MSRP.
- Maximum primary cargo capacity (22.9 cu ft) is prioritized over maximum passenger volume.
- Willingness exists to exclusively use premium unleaded fuel for operation.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- Higher absolute horsepower (265 hp) and torque figures are non-negotiable performance requirements.
- A significantly larger exterior footprint (194.9 inches long) is required for perceived road presence or passenger space.
- Fuel cost savings from utilizing regular unleaded fuel are desirable.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Alfa Romeo Tonale | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 178.3" | 194.9" |
| Width | 72.4" | 76.0" |
| Height | 63.2" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 103.8" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.4 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 | — | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/29 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 283.5/391.5 mi. | 375.9/501.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.5 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.2 in | 8.0 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 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
Frontseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.8 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.7 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.3 in. | 57.2 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 | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 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 | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.8 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/55R18 | P235/65R V |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Alfa Romeo | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and 2026 Toyota Highlander.
What is the required fuel type for each AWD crossover?
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale mandates premium unleaded fuel, whereas the 2026 Toyota Highlander operates efficiently using regular unleaded fuel.
Which vehicle offers superior rear storage volume?
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale provides 22.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, substantially exceeding the 16 cubic feet offered by the 2026 Toyota Highlander.
How much greater is the horsepower output of the Highlander?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is rated at 265 hp, significantly surpassing the performance specification provided for the Tonale, whose horsepower figure is not specified.
What is the MSRP variance between these two vehicles?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander commands an $8,775 premium over the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale, reflecting an MSRP of $45,270 versus $36,495.
Do the two crossovers share the same fuel economy?
Yes, both the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and the 2026 Toyota Highlander are rated at 24 MPG combined for their all-wheel-drive configurations.
Is there a difference in transmission hardware?
The Tonale utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Highlander is equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool