Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Hyundai IONIQ 5
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.
Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Tonale starts from $56,900 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai IONIQ 5 opens at $71,990. That makes the Alfa Romeo Tonale the more affordable entry point by $15,090.
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 $79,189 respectively.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Alfa Romeo Tonale, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Hyundai IONIQ 5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Alfa Romeo Tonale and 97% for the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 7 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Alfa Romeo Tonale and 7 in the Hyundai IONIQ 5. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 adds a 360-degree camera that the Alfa Romeo Tonale misses.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Tonale features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the Hyundai IONIQ 5 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale stands out with ambient lighting that you will not find on the Hyundai IONIQ 5. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, V2L and BOSE audio. 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 Hyundai IONIQ 5 responds with a Electric making 168kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has the clear power advantage at 168kW vs 118kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is 0.3s 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, 107mm shorter than the Hyundai IONIQ 5 at 4,635mm (3,000mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the Alfa Romeo Tonale and 527L in the Hyundai IONIQ 5, giving the Hyundai IONIQ 5 a 27L advantage.
For towing, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,250kg. That 350kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m 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 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Tonale) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai IONIQ 5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Tonale if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai IONIQ 5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. 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 Hyundai IONIQ 5?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is the cheapest at $56,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai IONIQ 5 by $15,090.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Alfa Romeo Tonale and Hyundai IONIQ 5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has the largest boot at 527L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 makes the most power at 168kW. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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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