Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona NVS 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Kona N’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Tonale doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Kona N and Tonale have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Kona N has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Tonale’s Rear Cross-Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Kona N and the Tonale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona N the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tonale has not been tested, yet.

The Kona N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Tonale’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona N 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the Tonale. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Tonale ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Kona N’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Tonale’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona N for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Tonale.

There are almost 6 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kona N’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 97 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 29th.

The Kona N has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale (13.2 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Kona N, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tonale.

The Kona N offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Tonale doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Kona N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Tonale doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Kona N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tonale:

The Kona N’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tonale are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Kona N has larger tires than the Tonale (235/40R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Kona N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tonale’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Kona N has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Tonale.

The Hyundai Kona N may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 pounds less than the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

The Kona N is 1 foot shorter than the Tonale, making the Kona N easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The Tonale has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.