Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Skoda Kodiaq

What's the difference?

This is the first hybrid Alfa Romeo, and its most efficient model yet - two things those historically loyal to the brand might be hesitant to embrace - but like the Giulia and Stelvio it joins in the line-up, this plug-in hybrid Tonale is extremely important to the Milanese brand.

The Tonale, still a relatively new nameplate, must establish itself as a new ‘accessible’ point to the brand in the popular small SUV segment. 

But this, the Veloce plug-in hybrid (PHEV), must prove that even in the more attainable small SUV segment, the brand can still produce something to gain the tick of approval from the rusted-on ‘Alfisti’ - Alfa Romeo’s loyalists.

On top of keeping Alfa’s existing fans happy, the Tonale must also contend with existing segment favourites like the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3.

Alfa surely knows it won’t reach sales figures to contend with those mentioned, but what the brand can aim for is to be a sexier, desirable alternative.

So, is the Tonale PHEV the right piece of kit for the job?

In the eight years it’s been in our market, the Skoda Kodiaq large SUV has only seen modest updates, but the second-generation seven-seater marks a firm step forward.

You still get all of the clever practicality that Skoda is known for, but it now features a (slightly) sharper design, a raft of new features, improved technology and more room inside.

This week, my family of three has been living with the base 140TSI Select variant to find out whether this understated contender deserves more attention and if its rivals should start to worry.