Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Tonale doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tonale doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tonale doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tonale doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Tonale doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X3 and the Tonale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Tonale has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Tonale’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW 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 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 43 points higher than the Tonale.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 97 more horsepower (382 vs. 285) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the Tonale’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the X3 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Alfa Romeo Tonale:

The X3 has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale (17.2 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tonale.

The X3 M40i’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 X3 M40i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tonale:

The X3’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.

The X3 stops shorter than the Tonale:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the Tonale (245/50R19 vs. 225/55R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tonale (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/45R19).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tonale’s 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Tonale’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Tonale. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Tonale.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Tonale doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tonale; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the Tonale (112.8 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Tonale.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the Tonale Veloce pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tonale Veloce (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (8 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tonale doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X3 has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tonale.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The Tonale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Tonale with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 22.9 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tonale with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X3. The Tonale doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tonale’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Tonale. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 65% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tonale doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Tonale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Tonale’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the X3 and the Tonale offer available heated front seats. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tonale.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Tonale’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Tonale doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Tonale isn't recommended.

The BMW X3 outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by over 30 to one during 2023.