► It’s an Alfa Romeo
► But it’s also a practical crossover
► Read month 4 here
I’ve spent a lot of time lately in the V8-powered Lexus LC500 (below), rather than the Alfa. However, for a recent journey through central London I reached for the Tonale keys – not the GT’s – and it gave me a renewed appreciation of the Alfa.
The Lexus is an incredible car, but jumping back in the Alfa was refreshingly simple. Light, quick steering made the Tonale easy to thread through gaps and cramped parking bays, and despite being just 8cm narrower than the Lexus, the Alfa felt like a slip of a thing.
Its elevated driving position provided me with a far better view, too. While this wasn’t the comparison test I had in mind for the Alfa, it’s been illuminating regardless.
Logbook: Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.3 PHEV Veloce (Month 5)
Price £48,495 (£51,595 as tested)
Performance 15.5kWh battery plus 1332cc four-cylinder, PHEV, 276bhp, 199lb ft, 6.2sec 0-62mph, 128mph
Efficiency 217mpg (official), 41.1mpg (tested) 29g/km CO2
Energy cost 19.5p per mile
Miles this month 328
Total miles 5799