The production Tonale was originally scheduled for release in 2021, but was delayed until 2022 due to the global semiconductor shortage[2] and Alfa Romeo management demanding better range and performance from its drivetrain.

[8][6] It was developed during the ownership of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and underpinned by a heavily modified version of the SCCS crossover platform shared with the Jeep Compass.

It is also the first Alfa Romeo to be equipped with an optional plug-in hybrid system, which uses a 15.5 kWh (56 MJ) lithium-ion battery to achieve 30 miles (48 km) of all-electric range.

[24] Jalopnik felt that digitising a car's service history was a good idea, but that blockchain NFTs were a "bad" and "entirely unnecessary" way to achieve this.

[25] According to Alfa Romeo, the Tonale was designed to offer more driving engagement than the class average by using a very quick steering rack (2.3 turns lock-to-lock).

[citation needed] One of the powertrain options is a newly developed Alfa Romeo-exclusive 160 hp (162 PS; 119 kW) 1.5-litre petrol engine with a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) and 48 V hybrid system, paired with a 7-speed TCT dual-clutch transmission and a 48 V 15 kW (20 PS; 20 hp) and 55 N⋅m (5.61 kg⋅m; 40.6 lb⋅ft) P2 electric motor (135 N⋅m (13.8 kg⋅m; 99.6 lb⋅ft) with a 2.5:1 transmission ratio).

The engine comes with a compression ratio of 12.5:1, a new cylinder head with a compact combustion chamber, dual variable valve timing, and "high-tumble" intake ducts.

The capacity is more than twice that of batteries commonly used on belt-driven starter-generator (BSG) hybrid systems, while providing an output of up to 22 kW (30 PS; 30 hp).