Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Skoda Enyaq

What's the difference?

If you’re an ‘Alfa Romeo person’, or even just an ‘Italian car person’, you’ve got this on your short list and there’s little I can say that will change your mind. 

And you wouldn’t be making a bad decision if you did pick up a Tonale.

But if $80,000 sounds like a lot for a small SUV and you still want something that looks stylish and feels special, the mild-hybrid Tonale Veloce should do, if the likes of the X1, Q3, or XC40 don’t scratch that left-of-centre itch.

And a fun small SUV? A Mini Countryman JCW, Audi SQ2 or VW T-Roc R are all different sizes, but all more powerful than the Alfa and all fall below the $70,000 mark.

But, if you’re keen on that plug-in hybrid drivetrain and have a day-to-day lifestyle that’ll allow you to make the most of its electric range (and most major city-dwelling Australians do to some extent), then the outlay might just be worth it to be able to check out the Tonale in your garage or driveway every day.

The Enyaq facelift is a big deal, and hopefully the start of a fresh era for Skoda, marking a long-overdue return to brand values. Its first Toyota RAV4-sized family EV SUV nails it for value, functionality, comfort, ease, driving enjoyment, efficiency and even the overall ownership experience.

We have yet to drive the base 60 Select with that headline low price so cannot make a definitive call, but the more-expensive 85 Sportline proves Skoda is taking the family EV very, very seriously. Consumers considering a BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 or Tesla Model Y would do themselves a disservice to not check out the Enyaq first. The most convincing Skoda in years.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.