Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the BMW X3 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Alfa Romeo Tonale doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Tonale doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the X3 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Tonale doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tonale doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Tonale doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X3 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Alfa Romeo Tonale has not been tested.

The X3 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.

The BMW X3’s optional Surround View offers available integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Alfa Romeo Tonale lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the X3 and Tonale have rear cross-traffic warning, but the X3 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 X3 and the Tonale have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, 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 BMW X3 weighs 461 to 820 pounds more than the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Tonale has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Tonale’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 X3’s warranty.

Reliability

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 X3’s reliability 46 points higher than the Tonale.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

Engine

The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 125 more horsepower (393 vs. 268) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 295) than the Tonale’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 M50 xDrive 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Alfa Romeo Tonale:

	X3	Tonale
Zero to 60 MPH	4 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.6 sec	14.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	109.7 MPH	93.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Tonale:

			MPG
X3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/30 hwy
Tonale
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Tonale doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tonale (17.2 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The X3 M50’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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tonale:

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	Tonale Sprint	Tonale Veloce/Sport Speciale
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12.1 inches	13.5 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	10.9 inches	12.1 inches

The X3’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 X3 stops much shorter than the Tonale:

	X3	Tonale
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	114 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the Tonale (245/50R19 vs. 225/55R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tonale (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 235/45R19).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tonale Sprint’s standard 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Tonale Sport Speciale’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Tonale Sprint. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Tonale Sport Speciale.

The X3 has a standard space-saver spare tire 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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the Tonale (112.8 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Tonale.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the Tonale Veloce pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Tonale Veloce (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tonale (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is 2.4 inches higher than on the Tonale (8.5 vs. 6.1 inches).

Passenger Space

The X3 has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 5.6 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 4.6 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tonale.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The Tonale’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Tonale with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 27 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tonale with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Tonale doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X3. The Tonale doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tonale’s (4001 vs. 3307 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Alfa Romeo Tonale is only 3307 pounds. The X3 offers up to a 4850 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X3 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.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Tonale. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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.

The X3’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Enter-n-Go standard on the Tonale doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Tonale doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X3 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.

Both the X3 and the Tonale have standard heated front seats. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tonale.

The X3’s 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. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Tonale’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Alfa Romeo Tonale by over 18 to one during 2024.

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