Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV - EV Range Test - Is 37 miles possible ? | 4K

[@richardspreckley4493]

Fantastic review, I pick my Tonale PHEV up next week, your insights have really helped me understand this superb car!

[@PetrolPed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@philedwards7174]

I think 34.8 miles is a huge result. Just 2 miles off the specified range. Remarkable.

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@timmartin7468]

Used to ride those roads on my GPZ600R back in the late 80's. Well balanced piece Ped, thank you.

[@dangreasley7934]

Great honest consumer video. I've been driving my BMW 330e like this since i've got it. It works well in my opinion.

[@PetrolPed]

Great to hear!

[@rehabmax]

I have always wanted an Alfa vehicle. The Tonale has many compelling features to like.

[@DanDan-yx6so]

I was already laughing when I saw 'range test' in the title. Both my VW Passat GTEs, (a 2016 & 2017) claimed one number but never actually reached it. It would be interesting to see a test on one of these as a comparison as not everyone can afford to buy a new PHEV or fully electric car, especially as more of these type of cars are now becoming readily available within the 10k -20k category. Maybe you could even ask some subscribers if they would like to help out on a group test of alternatives to a new model? I agree with your comment about having a higher range battery too, in the perfect world I think a 50-100 mile PHEV would be the ideal car. Keep up the great videos 👍, Dan

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks. Will do 👍

[@davidpickard9393]

I drove Misubishi Outlander PHEV in charge mode on a flat 40 mph limit road. It averaged 22 mpg over 5 miles.

[@richardhargrave6082]

I'd like a Tonale and as most of my journeys are short, this could work. Depending on the difference in monthly cost it may be possible to recover the difference, or a lot of it between this and the 160BHP version Good review, Pete, most people won't do that kind of route in EV, so I think its good Lets be honest, on those roads, you'd stick it in D and have some fun!😉😉 BTW, don't play golf, so no problem!

[@Zombie-Tog]

Get the PHEV 280...I nearly did the 160 and I'm so glad I didn't! Monthly wasn't much difference with my dealer in Colchester

[@tteric67]

Exactly! Plus the fact the rear seats fold down has a reason!

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Enjoying the videos on the channel well done 👍👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@vedelcarby773]

Brilliant review ped

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@bizzie1956]

Another very interesting video Pete 👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@alasdairwilson4806]

Very interesting vid.I do like the thought of PHEV.I also like the look of the Tonale.More on this subject please.

[@PetrolPed]

Will do!

[@LivingLifeSlower]

I used to run a Golf GTE as a Daily. I did the majority of my commute on electric then 2 miles on ICE. I charged up for free at a public charge station close to work then the same heading home.

[@charliebutton5731]

Great video and good to see it got pretty close to the claimed range. The polestar 1 is a plug in and has around 80 miles of ev range, with a pretty peppy electric motor. Would be great to see that tech filter down to other cars

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for the info!

[@CGCTV]

Its also a £140,000 car hahaha

[@Travel_Day_Dreams]

Having 4 years experience of driving a PHEV (BMW) I would say that using the engine to charge the battery (e-save) is madness, it hammers the mpg. You're better off leaving the battery empty and using just the ICE, you will still benefit from energy recovery during coasting and braking, then charge the battery when you get back home. The ability to charge the battery pack at a max of 7.4kW is a positive for the Alfa.

[@MrKlawUK]

Can be useful if needed though - eg if you’re heading into a zero emission zone but have no battery left you can maintain or charge and then run on battery when you get there

[@davidy7004]

@@MrKlawUK I agree there are times when you might want to add charge for a specific purpose. But there seems to be an idea amongst some people that in general use it's good to use petrol power to charge the battery. A journalist for an organisation who should know better was saying they thought MPG was poor on plug-in hybrid they were testing because it was not topping up the battery "when the engine has power to spare" which is 100% not my understanding of how to use energy efficiently.

[@MrKlawUK]

@@davidy7004 yep not a fan of ‘self charging’ phrases used in marketing.

[@stevesharkey3312]

Despite hammering the mpg on the ice I wonder if it still makes some sense getting some charge back if you’re ending your journey through a congested town/city because electric is so much more economical (and relaxing) in stop/start traffic. Of course that being the case you might charge then find there’s no congestion…

[@davidy7004]

@@stevesharkey3312 I imagine that if there's an option to preserve some battery level (instead of running it flat earlier in the journey) then that would be the more efficient way. Assuming the car has that option and that you had enough info to plan your journey. Although as you suggest I imaging it would always be tricky to be absolutely certain how much charge you'd need for the end of your journey.

[@watchcommander2012]

Fantastic real world video plug in hybrids seem to be perfect solution use the electric power when on school runs shop run and general around town driving then have the benefit of combined power when you driving outside of that environment without the range anxiety issues of a pure EV.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Great video mate

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@kevincross9206]

Saw a Tonale in the local leisure centre the other evening, and in that colour. Looks so good in the flesh, but did strike me as smaller than I visualised from your videos 👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@andrewsmith4105]

As a concept a phev sounds great for my commute. I have 30 miles of motorway followed by 5-10 miles of urban heavy traffic. Full hybrid for the motorway and battery for the end. Plus I can charge at work. The only problem seems to be that phevs seem to cost as much as a full ev, and they can also cope with that range.

[@ginggur17]

Hello Sir, I do love how the clocks have the ‘old’ style font, electric ranges are getting slowly better, I think the full electric vehicles are struggling a little concerning the charge infrastructure, it’s an interesting watch. 👍🤜🤛🇬🇧

[@PetrolPed]

Yes I agree. Love the retro clocks too 👍

[@garrycroft4215]

Eight years ago I had a Mitsubishi PHEV with 32 miles of EV only and it did it. I charged it at least once a day and got 105 mpg over three year 30,000 miles. Don’t get too excited because most people won’t charge as much as I did. Then you will get low 30s mpg. Secondly the battery degradation was awful from 32 to 22 miles.

[@23Piccolina]

Great vehicle, very cool, another fine vehicle from Alfa Romeo!

[@PetrolPed]

Indeed it is!

[@PeteMarshall-tp3ih]

Got mine on order. Good review. Worried about boot space now though....

[@PetrolPed]

Alright as long as you don’t play golf 😜👍

[@nigel.w]

The 'average' commute there and back can be done on 34 miles of range. Of course it's summer range, so I assume in winter the range would be significantly reduced. However, I think it's probably just good enough for most people to do their errands, even if in winter the commute may be in question. Anyway, in the next few years technological advances will probably mean the range with at least double. IMO, we also need the technology to advance to the point when PHEVs will be ULEZ/CAZ compliant by automatically engaging EV mode on entering said zones...

[@demiquadfpv3333]

Thanks it's just enough for my commute etc.. I heard that the normal mode auto driving is a bit sligish and unresponsive to the throttle, I dont mind that so much if you can put it in manual and use the padles it's quick. Is it a fun drive and fairly rapid when in dynamic and manual?

[@TheHutchRuns]

I've had my Merc A250E for 16 months and it's so called EV only range is 42 miles, the max I've had is around 35. My son is coming to Goodwood in a couple pf weeks, I've told him to come and say hi!

[@PetrolPed]

Cool. Make sure he does 👍 I’m there all 4 days 👍

[@stevecade857]

Please Pete explain how the Alfa (and other manufactures) pre-warm their PHEV petrol engines for when they're needed on a journey. I have not been able to find anything myself. Do they have heaters, which obviously uses electricity? Do they have an auxiliary oil pump to get some oil circulating to make sure it's in the right places and oil pressure is up before the engine is potentially called to action, usually requiring higher revs? Personally, I've taken to running our PHEV petrol engine at the start of most longer journeys, when it's typically under little stress, to get things circulating and do my own warming rather than rely on some mystical engineer pre-warming that no one can explain.

[@Paul-mt8sy]

Hi, when using my Kuga PHEV I ensure engine is running before accelerating onto motorway ! I’m fairly sure there is no warm up procedure and as we all know cvt gearing runs the engine revs high.

[@Discovery_Dad]

The West Sussex stretch of A272 is a great driving road, sadly the Hampshire stretch from Petersfield to Winchester is lined with freshly installed average speed cameras now... On the subject of warming up ICE engines, try googling 'PHEV oil dilution'. The results are surprising, and would suggest that perhaps they don't. I know some cars when they reach a specific % stop allowing EV only mode to try and presumably get some of the fuel evaporated. I think the state of engines in PHEV's could end up being worse than some EU6 diesels with poor designs. It's going to be interesting as logically a PHEV with good range seems like the ideal compromise, however I think we're still very much in Gen 1.0 territory on them. Good review, and also good to see a car get close to a claimed figure!

[@PetrolPed]

Yep 😡

[@miks564]

Vast majority of vehicles in this segment wouldn’t allow the golf equipment without lowering one of the rear seats. The Tonale boot space is above average for the segment in the hybrid variant.

[@MrFatknacker]

Just spent 3 weeks in a Mini Countryman PHEV doing a Lakes, Scotland, Orkney and Shetland road trip. Original 7.5kWh battery so max of 15 miles EV range. Watching the battery %, in SAVE mode the Mini seems to only charge from regeneration rather than normal driving. EV mode is not too bad performance wise, but got caught out mistakenly trying to pull out from a side turn while in MaxEV mode and flooring it… took an age (and an understandably annoyed motorist who I pulled out in front of) to kick the petrol motor in and actually accelerate hard. Having both a hot hatch and an EV, I think you need the right journey profile mix (where you can recharge on a frequent basis) to make the most of a PHEV, and a 1500 mile road trip is not what they were designed for!

[@malph9216]

I think the published range for the Tonale is well over 40 miles. i've got a brand new Audi A3 Tfsi e (Plug-in Hybrid) as a loaner while my car is in getting a few bits sorted. It's a pretty horrible thing to drive, probably because it's a small car with an extra battery, a load of electrical gubbins, an electric motor AND a 1.4 petrol engine to lug about. So I thought I'd have look at the specs of the petrol only equivalent A3. The petrol only version costs about £5.5k less new and weighs over 200 kgs less. The battery, electrical gubbins and the electric motor will give you.......wait for it.........around 25/30 miles of electric only driving. 200kgs of weight and £5.5K to be able to drive 25/30 miles without using any petrol. Just ridiculous. Oh, and the boot is smaller because of the electric motor and it's full of various charging cables!

[@FéargalO]

Indeed very valid points..i have ditched my e2008 after 3 years and driving a Tonale Ti MHEV now.. and loving it....did briefly consider a plug in but after the short range is used up then all the disadvantages come to the fore..but Winter will see the electric range basically drop off a cliff...will be a shock to a lot of people.

[@briangriffiths114]

How many PHEVs have followed the Vauxhall Ampera/ original BMW-i3 drivetrain model, with the petrol engine being used purely as a range extender? Good result getting 94% of the quoted EV-only range!

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@SugarNanny]

Just boughtw a Tanole. I am finding the E Save button uses quite a bit more gas. But maybe because it is new

[@ginggur17]

I do like plug in hybrids for that security 👍🇬🇧

[@johnbrown3951]

That is a very interesting car that I did consider two cars ago but the heritage of Alfa didn't outweigh my love of JLR so it lost out but as PHEV against the equivalent Evoque or Disco Sport maybe something to look into as I am not sure we would go pure Electric next time as it does not meet our needs but that may change in the near future.

[@TurfSurf]

I have an PHEV for 4 years, my EV ranges changes based on the way I drove for the last 3 to 5 trips in town or the highway, then average out. I could have anywhere from 40 all the way up to 50 miles after fully charged. Also if the weather gets colder and my range gets slightly lower in addition to AC. So a single trip probably can’t really show its true potential unless Alfa uses a total different way of calculating the EV range.

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@smwatson1512]

Surely folding the back seat down for a full set of clubs is pretty common in these small "SUVs"? Same size as a Q3 and you'd definitely need to fold a seat to get clubs in that.

[@DDd-hr6mz]

Really. I don't see the point of building a bigger car just so it holds clubs, unless you're bringing 3 other people with you at the same time. Who presumably ALSO carry clubs.

[@mda5003]

Exactly, even average size SUVs would struggle to fit golf clubs in the boot without dropping the back seat. They have more height in the boot but not so much length as say compared with my Passat saloon which easily takes a set of golf clubs placed diagonally.

[@rickvandriel7589]

Have you had the opportunity to drive the Cupra Formentor VZe, I would be interested in your thoughts.

[@PetrolPed]

Yep. Brilliant 👍

[@01theloneranger]

I own a Toyota Rav4 PHEV, which unlike this Alpha, is scarily fast on EV only and I am getting between 45 and 55 miles on EV only without having to compromise on performance. But you already know this as you had one last year. Thanks for your reviews, they are well thought out and delivered.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Paul-od9iz]

Personal they plug in phev is good idea. I can't see why more car can have a 50-60 mile range battery. Great for me to work there and back. I travel over the 30 mile range to work. Ped tell me when the battery died and the running engine, what was the mpg like?

[@PepeArgie]

FROM argentina do you recomend to buy a alfa romeo plugin hybrid versus a alfa romeo traditional hybrid when yo drive ussualy in downtown areas

[@PetrolPed]

Absolutely 👍

[@PepeArgie]

excellent test, tank you

[@PetrolPed]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@ttturner68]

I believe if you use Esave and D (dynamic) mode I think you can get to 100% Charge. And using the phone charger actually reduce your range. :D 34 on a 37 range rating in mixed driving is pretty impressive. The regulatory rating must be different as in the USA it is only rated at 32 miles per charge.

[@MrFoai]

I think EV mode is best for traffic jam situations, i'd prefer to use with full power, awd as 280hp at the country-side roads.

[@coltoncleveringa8004]

This definitely looks good and is a great color! I’m still not so sure about hybrids. But Sir Pete you’ve got me thinking about hybrids. So dodge has released a re badged one of these as a hornet. I think that looks good to

[@PetrolPed]

Interesting 👍

[@johnrochford9601]

Decent review - but I hope theres another one to show how long the battery charges just from the engine!!! On that future review I hope you do a comparison re how the battery is lasting - ie it may get mid 30 m now but its brand new and all batteries lose ability to charge fully and quickly after x time

[@Christopherliddle]

Good video Like the car

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@shirleyboy8859]

Plug in Hybrids are a much better Option than full EV`s.... A slow and acceptable change from full ICE`s towards EV`s. Develop the technology and infrastructure before forcing it on the Public.... :-))) ps: I used to drive Mclaren race Trucks through Petworth on our way to the FOS.... Bit tight to say the least.... :-))

[@AR-rs2dy]

What's the weight penalty of the battery, etc. and what's the fuel economy with just the engine running? Also, what is the engine?

[@lazzaboyman8003]

I ran a BMW 330e for 9 months and did 7,250 miles with 5,000 on pure electric as my daily commute was just within the range on electric only. I was very impressed with the car except for the small boot!

[@tedtheturbot]

I guess a quick comment on pricing the recharge via the engine/home supply vs petrol cost.

[@swisby3820]

You should try the new Volvo XC60 T6 Recharge as it has a range of over 40miles in electric only. Had mine since Jan and have been monitoring performance and the range does vary depending on ambient temp. Best I’ve got to date is 44miles when at 22C

[@geoffreyleatham4265]

Although you said it was running on electricity only I am sure I could see the rev counter going up and down. Does this happen with the petrol engine not running.

[@PetrolPed]

It wasn’t the Rev counter. It was a throttle and brake gauge. When you go into Dynamic Mode you get a Rev counter 👍

[@bidmoon7957]

Where did you get the front license plate holder? 🎄🥃

[@PetrolPed]

It’s a press car 😬

[@atb_massive_night9679]

Get the OCD number plate not central thing. But its not only a design 'problem' (obviously not a real problem), another issue as a Stelvio driver I can tell you it is on the wrong side for many number plate recognition systems in UK car parks.... The joys of owning an Alfa... Love my Stelvio, but seriously tempted by the Tonale PHEV

[@PetrolPed]

Interesting 🤔

[@mariosdemigod]

When a phev runs without being charged, does it run just like a full hybrid? It self charges and moves as an ev in the city? So, if you can choose between the two, you can just buy the phev and treat it as a phev and as a full hev if you can't charge it for some reason. Right?

[@PetrolPed]

Depends on the PHEV. The battery never runs down to 0. There will always be some charge to assist pull away and traffic creep. However you won’t be able to run on pure EV. To get that you will either have to plug it in or some PHEVs will have a recharge mode while driving. That will charge the battery but effect you fuel consumption 👍

[@mariosdemigod]

@@PetrolPed thank you

[@timcook1349]

When the battery ran out, you said there were two choices - and you opted for charging the battery from the petrol engine. You didn’t explain what the other option was. Also, what was the mpg when changing the battery and what was the mpg when not charging? This would be good to know/understand when making hybrid choices.

[@PetrolPed]

Plugging it in 👍

[@brycebrown1]

Great test! Would ev mileage ideally be used in the city? And, was it as road noisy as it sounded in the video?

[@PetrolPed]

I think most people would save the EV only running for the city or short runs. The road noise isn't as bad as it sounded. I had a failure on my main microphone so had to take the audio from my secondary GoPro and that is why it didn't sound great. Sorry :-(

[@brycebrown1]

@@PetrolPed thanks 😊 no apology necessary... that's my normal 😆👍

[@stevie007]

Hi Peds 👍👍

[@PetrolPed]

Hello there!

[@richardhowlett9424]

I wonder how many plug in hybrids are ever actually plugged in ! People at work had these cars for tax reasons with cables unused . This Alfa is probably the best looking of a breed of cars I hate . My only car is an Accord tourer which has carried everything I have wanted it to , not that I play golf !

[@Paul-mt8sy]

Manufactures love producing PHEV alongside ice cars to avoid huge fines in Europe. When Ford stopped sales of PHEV kuga due to fire risk from battery it was cheaper to purchase Volvos unused allocation of EV sales than pay the fine…..

[@Tikip0p]

Probably only get about 20-25 miles here in Tucson with the a/c blasting @ 110F

[@leeandjancruise]

I like the look of the Tonale and considered one last December but for me the performance lets it down, as I wanted performance and looks I went for the Cupra Formentor VZ2.

[@PetrolPed]

Great car 👍

[@simonm9923]

Surely the indicated 37 miles range depends on the car’s previous driving conditions? If it was ragged previously it might show only 20 miles electric range and if nannied, 45. All cars are the same irrespective of motive source, how many ICE cars achieve the range of quoted mpg x tank capacity? No one seems to talk about that?!?

[@martynb9]

Hi Ped, Great Video however I have a PHEV Niro and when I run it on EV only it shows 999mpg and as soon as the engine kicks in however briefly that will update to say 235mpg or 75mpg etc. The engine will kick in if you excelerate too harshly or if the heater is on (Because PHEV's don't have Heat Pumps). I have to say that sometimes I don't even notice the engine firing up in the Niro and the only way I can see it is if I bring up the EV display which shows how the wheels and being powered and sometimes I'm surprised to see when I think I'm running on battery only the petrol engine is backing it up. I can get around 30miles from the battery with heater off and avoiding fast roads. I'd be interested to know if when fully charged if the MPH shows 999mpg on the Alpha?

[@PetrolPed]

I can assure you the engine wasn’t on 👍

[@howardlake6178]

As a dyed in the wool Alfa lover, the concept of EV, and auto box, blows all my circuits. But I would not mind betting that is the closest to a claimed range, any vehicle has EVer got. One interesting point I would like to know is how long it actually takes…to plug in charge. So, what I am thinking about is a plug in hybrid you could theoretically use in almost…. Only electric, for a long journey, with short stops, thus making actual MPG very high indeed 😀

[@PetrolPed]

On a 7kW wall box it’s charged in a couple of hours. On a 3 pin plug it would definitely by charged overnight 👍

[@harrycorry3772]

If a hybrid is only ever used in electric mode would that not mean that the ICE components may have problems due to under use?

[@howardlake6178]

@@harrycorry3772 I have broken numerous engines from any country, other than Italy. Including 2 Mercedes engines very spectacularly. I think the Alfa engine might just be sleeping, and dreaming, you might give it the berries 😂

[@pi.actual]

I have myself sold on a Honda Civic hybrid but they won't be available here until next month. Funny fact, it's going to replace a 1991 Alfa 164S. But now I'm watching all of these videos about the Tonale and my head is swimming on the points between hybrid EV and plug-in. I would so much love to have another Alfa but it is twice the price of the Honda. Arrrghh!!

[@Wolfson47]

Impressive considering you were driving on the motorway.

[@gbormann71]

Couldn't the clubs fit space-diagonally rather than in the floor-plane?

[@PetrolPed]

No 👎

[@nicknick4156]

What bhp is the vehicle without the electric motor, so just on petrol engine only??

[@HQBProductions]

Well I’m thinking a PHEV is the best answer but was surprised to learn that the performance is well below EV levels when running on the battery. For me it would work well as few regularly weekday journeys are more than 25 miles so most driving would be in EV mode…but is the car as nice to drive as a pure petrol??? Still confused Peter…still staying with trusty D/Sport ftb!!🤔🤔😬😬😬

[@reinmansmith]

It is a usable EV range which would cover most people’s daily mileage, however you do pay an awful lot for the privilege in terms of the higher list price! ……. Still, my idea of an economy run is driving my SL500 from Petersfield back to Cornwall (230mls) with an average speed of 65mph and 30mpg! Now that’s efficiency lol 😆

[@90boiler]

Documents say 280hp is combined. So what if you deplete battery does it mean, your ho now is much lower and your 0-60 will also be not what Alfa states (6sec or something)?

[@PetrolPed]

It saves some battery for hybrid but yes if it runs down you are mainly on ICE 👍

[@guyb7271]

Don't worry, it's plenty fast when you put your foot down in Dynamic mode (like in through the bottom plate to muster the monster inside) even when the battery is depleted (down to the minimum the system keeps for the hybrid kicks to fill the turbo gap) 😀 I'm not sure I should believe the documents. It feels more like it's peak HP and torque to get you going and it seems always available (unless you keep pumping the gas pedal I guess, since it needs to replenish the minimum battery charge, though in Dynamic regen braking is fairly aggressive). However, the 4-cylinder revs like crazy in Dynamic mode and becomes a bit of a gas guzzler. In Natural/Normal mode it is very civilized though and still very well capable to keep up with traffic. I got it a little under a week now and am very happy and relieved because it's better than what many (of the better) review have you believe. I already needed to take it on an 800km trip to the south of Germany and 800km back and could test it in various speed regimes the Autobahn puts you in over Summer (one giant road works system). It put a smile on my face quite a few times already (even got wheel spin at high speed when I temporarily dialed in Dynamic to create some distance from impatient drivers who can't look further into traffic than their nose) but also made me grumble sometimes when it stays too long in EV hybrid mode after braking (or after auto-braking in Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)) and traffic speeds up again. Nothing that can't be cured with a short kick on the gas pedal though (and maybe permanently with a software update). By the way, I'd take the ADAS Level 2 pack because the overall hybrid system response in Natural mode is much better under ACC than from 'manual' gas pedal input. I'd only touch Dynamic mode if I'd need to indulge myself a little in Italian craziness or need to merge or cross-to-turn at a crossroads...or just to hear the exhaust note when parked 🙃 (at higher revs, the screamer in the front is distracting a little from the nicer exhaust noise in the back). The 6-speed automatic does seem a bit out-of-place. I think it deserves a better transmission, but again maybe something that can be improved with a software update. So, all-in-all a little bit mixed results but for me still much better than expected!

[@demiquadfpv3333]

​@@guyb7271hi, do you know how much electricity it needs in KW to charge from the wall 0-100% also what's the winter range like when it's freezing outside in the morning? Thanks for reading

[@sampegnall1950]

I think that’s quite a good range for a plug in hybrid, only thing is that it’s doubtful to do that in the winter? I like the car myself but not having a big boot is kind of missing the mark for the sort of people that would buy that car in my opinion

[@trev8591]

It's a really pretty car, Pete (but I am an Alfaholic!), and that's not bad for a little battery it would just about get me to work. BTW "dynamo"? You want to buy a gramophone, Grandad? 😆

[@PetrolPed]

Just trying to simplify things 👍

[@jywn]

I think they're great, it really depends though, my family has a RAV4 prime, it gets around 42 miles of EV range, I don't think they've gone to the gas station yet since getting it

[@fredscratchet1355]

Alfa's are always nice but I've never ever been in one, they are just "nice". The golf club test was a bit disappointing. And also I thought the rear looked a little Qashqai-ish. The daughter in law got rid of a BMW X-1 because she struggled to fit a pushchair in the boot.

[@bikeman123]

All that extra PHEV complexity in an Alfa Romeo 😂😂😂😂😂

[@alanbrad3727]

That's a good range for normal driving! How's the charging speed? Does it max out at 3.6Kwh?

[@simonm9923]

kW not kWh, power as opposed to energy

[@alanbrad3727]

@@simonm9923 Yeah I thought that would work erk someone 😆

[@simonm9923]

@@alanbrad3727 deliberate then? 😀

[@PetrolPed]

Chargers in a couple of hours on a 7kW wall box 👍

[@14Unow]

EV mode is meant to be for town use and the range will be accurate ish....

[@egelecc]

best small sized phev

[@owenmcdonald5922]

If you hadn't got to the hill at that point, would the petrol engine have stayed off for longer?

[@PetrolPed]

Probably but not that much longer 👍

[@lewishunter]

What a great informative vid, might put some naysayers opinions to rest 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@lozimba1259]

Alfa Romeo Giulia it's Better 😎🇮🇹..petrol of course

[@DavidMcBeth-xv9lq]

Would it have gone further if you weren't charging your phone???

[@PetrolPed]

No 👎

[@gmac7947]

Hybrid is the only way that makes sense 🚘

[@colletteodonoghue5940]

Jeepers, those paddle shifters could paddle a canoe!

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@nealr5466]

That number plate fitment is nasty isn't it , Italians didn't design that with a reg plate in mind at all did they

[@pmgsussex]

I suspect if you had not gone over the Trundle and just driven into Chichester and around town you would have made 37 miles easily

[@PetrolPed]

Yep I’m sure 👍

[@philipparkes5682]

Hi Ped Well up to your usual high standard. Very informative, but this car does not do it for me. I plan to keep to ICE, and await further developments, which will surely come, and see if any future government can get to grips with infrastructure, in what is now a shrinking time scale.

[@PetrolPed]

Fair enough chap 👍

[@Nelson-wz7we]

Would be interested to see the same with BMW 2 Series Active Tourer PHEV, allegedly 55 miles EV range. Also is it actually a more practical / better option as it’s not really an SUV?

[@stevencampbell1150]

It's all well and good really but you wouldn't get anywhere close to that EV range on the motorway which in terms of the travelling I do would render the EV running pointless as I would 70-80 mile round trips when visiting my mother or going into the office in work which is predominantly 70 mph motorway and for me sticking with my diesel is still the best way forward. I do accept that I probably will have to go hybrid with my next car but it definitely won't be a plug in hybrid more likely a self charging one like the Hyundai Tucson or the new Renault Austral which incidentally if you get on on the channel I'd be very interested in your views particularly because like yourself I'd be curious to know if the new Austral would take my gravel bike without taking the wheels off.

[@PetrolPed]

That’s fine. It doesn’t fit with your journey profile. A full EV would be a great option if you have somewhere to charge it 👍

[@stevencampbell1150]

@@PetrolPed not with the rubbish infrastructure at present here in Northern Ireland.

[@Cillaron]

Do you think that charging your phone during the test made a difference, either way sounds like a big hassle to me…..

[@PetrolPed]

No 👎

[@Sami-Nasr]

I am renting this car for 2 days now, you are spot on, everything you mentioned is very accurate, I really hate the sluggish engine, I don't have facilities to charge it as it comes with no charging cable and I don't see many public charging points in Costa Blanca, at home I drive RAV4 PHEV, compared to the RAV4 this car is a piece of sh*t.

[@MrDieselakias]

it has almost 300hp and the found the engine sluggish? Something is wrong with the car or you dont know how to use it

[@Sami-Nasr]

@@MrDieselakias Look down here he says 160 hp, it is 1.5l petrol PHEV May be I am even driving the 130hp "see the second video" At home I drive 2.4l petrol PHEV 306 hp kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZeblIBjmp2Zgqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZeblIBjmp2Zgqc

[@MrDieselakias]

i am sorry, didnt know the 160 hp could run electric only, i thought the 285hp was capable doing this@@Sami-Nasr

[@criticalmass5873]

Biggest deal breaker for me is lack of DC charging. Real pain on a longer trip. My Evoque PHEV will charge much faster.

[@PetrolPed]

Not many if any PHEVs have DC charging 🤔

[@criticalmass5873]

@@PetrolPed The Évoque has - and the new VW Tiguan as well

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Tonale offset on boot? Did that not trigger ocd? Hybrid OK.! Plug in! EV! No way. Nice looking vehicle

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

You used cameras and charged photographic equipment. Stop start for setting them up and off. A real test would be just drive ! Surely?

[@simonm9923]

Hybrid is the worst option, it can only move by using fossil fuel.

[@PetrolPed]

My cameras run off batteries and I didn’t stop 🤷‍♂️

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

@@PetrolPed But you didn’t switch them on and off whilst driving either

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

@@simonm9923 Love my fossil fuels. As do ev’s UK is not total Green electricity yet, not by a long way.

[@mjd03085354]

Very interesting video, it’s roughly the same as the Mercedes GLA250e (it’s PHEV), we get anywhere between 34-37 miles. We looked around for ages to choose for towing car for our caravan, as well a more economic car to run as a day to day for normal use. The towing side is very much unknown, no one seemed to have any information of how to go on, I knew we would still have to have the backup of a petrol engine. Yes we could have purchased a full EV car, but with a caravan in tow and the sparse EV charging and queuing at EV points, we knew the full EV would not be the way to go. As it happens it’s been successful with our choice, we ran the petrol engine up to 1000 miles on the clock before we starting towing with the car, that was hard for every 70 miles we ran the car, you only managed to 50 miles onto the petrol engine as the 20 came from the electric motor. What I am really getting to, with a PHEV you get the economy, but you need to tow the caravan in battery level save mode and use the petrol engine. We get something like 33 miles to the gallon whilst towing and don’t have to worry about charging the car on a long journey, they is no provision anywhere for you pull in with your car & caravan to any charging points to replenish your car battery yet. But wether the car you’ve just tested would tow a caravan I don’t know, but the Mercedes GLA 250e does, we just wanted to start to be green as much as we could without loosing our hobby.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for this 👍

[@gazzaman28]

It's nice, but I just don't get the appeal of paying all that money to lug both a small battery and a heavy engine around when a pure EV is both faster and more efficient with more range all at the same time. My 8yr old BMW i3 has a bigger battery (19kWh/70miles) with rapid charging too, and they almost tripled the capacity of the battery in that car within the same physical size unit before production ended last year. Once you actually drive a pure EV and get used to a new way of owning a car from your house ellectrics, the idea of a PHEV just seems so backwards in comparison.

[@pt020]

You take your family with you to play golf ?

[@Zombie-Tog]

A great honest ,straightforward post as usual. You might recall have an Alfa Red Tonale Phev 280 Veloce...one of the first off the first boat from Italy....yet to see another Tonale on the road here in Essex which is a bit sad tbh. This was really interesting, I get about the same. I don't play Golf....but I'm a photographer and I can get all my gear in! You forgot the exhaust sound which is the best of any PHEV lol.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYC9pYZtZ9uXd5Y

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for the info!

[@Tyrewhisperer]

Yup I live near an Alfa dealer and haven't seen a Tonale on the road yet.