Hyundai Santa Fe vs Alfa Romeo Tonale

What's the difference?

A big welcome to one of the first turbo-petrol four-cylinder versions of the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, a model that launched locally with only its hybrid variants available to our market.

While it might not satisfy the fans of the previous-gen's V6 petrol engine, it might be enough for those who have been on the fence about going the hybrid route.

This is my third time in the new Santa Fe, and each tested variant has managed to offer something different and the base petrol grade, in FWD, is no different – but does it offer enough?

Alfa Romeo’s Tonale has been a success for the company globally, but you wouldn’t know it in Australia.

Alfa, along with brands like Fiat, Peugeot, Renault and even Skoda are scrabbling for traction in our oversaturated market, absolutely heaving with mainstream mid-size SUVs and cheap competition.

Euro alternatives are on the back foot and the Tonale looks like it’s on the precipice of extinction, registering just 50 units in the sales data this year.

That hasn’t stopped Alfa from introducing this new updated model with a raft of improvements it says will help boost its chances.

Is it worth a second look? Let’s find out.