Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
From $56,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol MHEV
118kW
5.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
500L
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
From $51,540
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
133kW
8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
673L
Track the Alfa Romeo Tonale & Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
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Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Tonale starts from $56,900 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport opens at $51,540. That makes the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport the more affordable entry point by $5,360.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $62,590 and $56,694 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Alfa Romeo Tonale by roughly $3,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Tonale features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Tonale uses a Petrol MHEV producing 118kW and 240Nm of torque, sent through a dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.8 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport responds with a Diesel making 133kW and 430Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the clear power advantage at 133kW vs 118kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Tonale measures 4,528mm long on a 2,636mm wheelbase, 312mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport at 4,840mm (2,800mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the Alfa Romeo Tonale and 673L in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, giving the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport a 173L advantage.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,250kg. That 1,850kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,596/year for the Alfa Romeo Tonale and $2,280/year for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. That is a $684 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Estimated annual total: $1,596 (Alfa Romeo Tonale) vs $2,280 (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Alfa Romeo Tonale saves you roughly $684 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Tonale) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Tonale if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport takes 5 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Alfa Romeo Tonale will save you roughly $684 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Tonale and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is the cheapest at $51,540 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Alfa Romeo Tonale by $5,360.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale uses the least fuel at 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Alfa Romeo Tonale all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the largest boot at 673L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport makes the most power at 133kW. The Alfa Romeo Tonale is quickest to 100km/h in 8.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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