Compare the2025 BMW X1VS 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale

The X1 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.

Both the X1 and Tonale have rear cross-traffic warning, but the X1 has Cross Traffic Warning with braking function (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Tonale’s Rear Cross-Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the X1 and the Tonale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Tonale’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 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 doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Tonale.

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X1’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 X1’s reliability 11 points higher than the Tonale.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Alfa Romeo.

The X1 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (313 vs. 268) than the Tonale’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X1 is faster than the Alfa Romeo Tonale:

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the Tonale running its gasoline engine:

The X1 has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale 1.3 PHEV’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X1 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Tonale doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X1’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 X1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tonale:

The X1’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 X1 stops shorter than the Tonale:

For better traction, the X1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tonale (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The X1 xDrive28i has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M35i) 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 X1’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Tonale (106 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The X1 M35i 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 X1 M35i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tonale Veloce (25.9 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (8.1 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X1 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 X1 has 3.3 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tonale.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The Tonale’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X1 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tonale with its rear seat folded (57.2 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X1. The Tonale doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X1’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tonale’s (3500 vs. 3307 pounds).

While the Tonale 1.3 PHEV can only tow 2000, any X1 can tow a minimum of 3500 pounds.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X1 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Tonale doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The X1 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, 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.

When the X1 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.

The X1’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Tonale’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Alfa Romeo Tonale isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X1 second among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Tonale was rated third.

The BMW X1 outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by almost seven to one during 2024.