The Alfa Romeo Tonale’s suspension causes discomfort for many owners over speed bumps and on uneven roads. The combination of heavy, large alloy wheels and a sporty setup leaves little room for suspension travel, so every ripple in the road is felt immediately in the cabin. More and more owners are reporting this issue, along with other Alfa Romeo Tonale problems that affect the driving experience. What exactly is behind it, and is there anything that can be done?
What causes the uncomfortable ride?
The Tonale is built with a sporty character that fits Alfa Romeo’s DNA. This is reflected in the firm suspension, tuned for a composed driving experience rather than comfort. The car has a wheelbase of 2,636 mm and a kerb weight of 1,500 kg, but these figures do not fully explain why the suspension feels so hard.
The biggest culprit is the wheels and tyres. The Veloce trim comes as standard with 19-inch wheels, while the TI trim is often fitted with 20-inch wheels and tyres in the 235/40R20 size. These tyres have a low sidewall height of just 40 per cent of the width. As a result, there is little room for tyre flex, which leads to less absorption of road imperfections.
‘ The new Hybrid Control Processor from the 2025 update also makes the transition between petrol and electric imperceptible, without making the suspension any more comfortable. ’
Why does the Tonale feel bumpy in town?
Owners report that the uncomfortable feel is most noticeable at lower speeds and in urban driving. There, the firm shock absorbers pass every bump straight through to the chassis and the seats. On the motorway the car often feels more stable and planted, but the firmness of the suspension remains, even at higher speeds.
The mild-hybrid system with a 48V electric motor and a 0.8 kWh battery ensures smooth transitions between the engine and electric assistance. This improves ride comfort in itself, but has no effect on the firm suspension. The new Hybrid Control Processor from the 2025 update also makes the transition between petrol and electric imperceptible, without making the suspension any more comfortable.
Sporty suspension: advantage or drawback?
Not everyone sees the firm suspension as a problem. Some drivers actually appreciate the way the firmness contributes to a sporty driving feel. Even so, the majority of owners say the drawback outweighs the benefit, especially when used as a family car or on long journeys.
- Sporty drivers see the firm suspension as suited to the car’s sporting character.
- Families and commuters are more likely to find the hard ride intrusive, especially in day-to-day city driving.
- On longer journeys, the discomfort increases as small jolts keep building up.
Tonale suspension too firm: what can you improve yourself?
If you find the suspension too firm, there are several practical steps that can improve comfort. Start with the most obvious adjustment and work from there.
- Replace the standard 235/40R20 tyres with a higher-profile alternative, such as 235/45R20 or 235/50R20, if the wheels allow it. More tyre flex means fewer shocks making their way into the chassis.
- Consider comfort-oriented shock absorbers from brands such as KYB, Boge or Sachs Comfort. These offer a smoother setup over small bumps without completely losing ride stability.
- Ask the dealer about optional air suspension (a system that automatically adjusts the suspension to the road surface) for the updated models from 2025 onwards. This adjusts the suspension automatically on longer journeys, although it is a more expensive solution.
- Adapt your driving style by taking potholes and road repairs more gently. A smoother driving style makes jolts less noticeable, even without technical changes.
- Check whether the seats are fitted with extra suspension or gel inserts. This can partly offset the uncomfortable feel of the suspension.
‘ The Tonale is Alfa Romeo’s first hybrid and the brand’s first new model in six years, with an electric range of around 80 kilometres in the PHEV version. ’
Still unsure about buying a Tonale?
If you are thinking about buying an Alfa Romeo Tonale yourself, a test drive on uneven roads is recommended. That way you can immediately find out whether the firm setup suits your driving style and day-to-day use. The Tonale is Alfa Romeo’s first hybrid and the brand’s first new model in six years, with an electric range of around 80 kilometres in the PHEV version. This technology has no effect on ride comfort, which is determined mainly by the choice of wheels, tyres and shock absorbers.
Got more questions about the Tonale or other Alfa Romeo models? On the Carnews website you will find detailed information about common problems, maintenance tips and experiences from other owners. Discover more articles and keep your car in top condition with Carnews’ practical tips.
Frequently asked questions
A fairly firm, less comfortable suspension is a commonly noted characteristic of the Alfa Romeo Tonale because of its sporty tuning and large wheels with low-profile tyres. So to some extent it is “normal” for it to feel harder than many rivals. However, if you notice extremely harsh impacts, unusual noises, instability or uneven tyre wear, that could indicate a specific fault or wear. In that case, a check at the dealer or by a specialist is recommended.
The Tonale’s firmness is strongly influenced by the chosen wheels and tyres, especially the large 19- or 20-inch rims with low-profile tyres (such as 235/40R20). The shock absorber setting (sport vs comfort) and the overall suspension character (spring rate) also play a major role. In addition, any optional systems such as adaptive dampers or air suspension, if fitted, can alter the firmness of the suspension through different driving modes or settings. Finally, the chosen trim level (for example Veloce with a sportier setup) affects the basic suspension tune.
Yes, there are various aftermarket solutions to improve ride comfort without completely losing the sporty character. Think of fitting tyres with a higher profile (for example moving from a 40-profile to a 45- or 50-profile on the same wheel size) so that the tyre itself absorbs more of the impact. You can also choose shock absorbers with a slightly more comfort-focused setup from brands such as KYB, Sachs or Boge, which filter out small bumps better while largely preserving road holding. Just make sure that all modifications remain within the sizes and specifications approved by Alfa Romeo.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale’s ride comfort is clearly firmer than that of many direct premium C‑SUV rivals, which are often set up more softly and comfortably. Because of its sport-tuned suspension and large 19- and 20-inch wheels with low-profile tyres, the Tonale filters out short, sharp bumps less effectively. In town and on poor roads, that is felt as less comfortable than in, among others, German and Swedish rivals that focus more on comfort. On the motorway the car does feel stable and planted, but the suspension remains on the firm side compared with most premium competitors.
