Alpine A290 Review: French Flair & Driver Engagement Under £35,000

Alpine revived its hot hatchback credentials with the A290, an electric compact car that marries retro charm with genuine driver engagement – and a price tag under £35,000. Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby put this French firecracker through its paces.

Car Review: Alpine A290

Jeremy: Come the end of the year, expect to see the Alpine A290 in our list of best cars of 2026. It’s not the fastest or the most thrilling but few vehicles give the driver so much fun for the money.

Our GTS+ model is top of the range yet costs a relatively modest £34,245, thanks in part to the government’s current Electric Car Grant – a point-of-sale discount that trims a chunk off new EV prices.

The Alpine brand started in 1955, squeezing extra performance out of standard Renault cars and winning lots of rallies. The French automotive giant then took over Alpine officially in 1973.

Alpine then disappeared in 1995 and remained dormant until Renault officially revived the brand in 2017. It launched a modern A110 – a new millennium version of famous coupe of the same name dating from the 1960s. We will be test driving that model in a few months’ time too.

However, the A290 here is the more affordable model in the Alpine stable. An outstanding, characterful electric hot hatchback, it successfully injects true driver engagement into the compact EV segment.

Built on the foundations of the Renault 5 E-Tech, the top-tier GTS+ version brings a beefier stance, premium Nappa leather and a punchier 220hp electric motor. An entry-level 180hp model is also available.

With aggressive body kit upgrades, 19-inch alloy wheels and rally-style daytime running lights, the A290 has the edge over the excellent Renault 5, which is already one of the coolest small cars on the road.

Inside, a 10-inch touchscreen uses Google power to speed up processing, while the overall quality of trim is good. I especially like the textured roof lining, distinctly different and decidedly retro like the rest of the car.

Other electric cars to rival the Alpine include the Mini Cooper Electric JCW, which is nowhere near as practical or comfortable to drive, or the new Cupra Raval VZ, which is more roomy and equally as quick but lacking the panache of a wonderfully enjoyable A290.

The A290 serves as a highly entertaining, premium city car, although limited rear space possibly prevents it from being the perfect all-rounder. Ironically, it faces stiff inner-family competition from the Renault 5.

The latter delivers much of the same charm, retro styling and daily usability for roughly £10,000 less. However, if you are a driving enthusiast who values a fine-tuned chassis, upgraded leather tweaks and motorsport theatre, the GTS+ model delivers exactly what you want.

If you just want a stylish, fast commuter, the standard Renault 5 might be the wiser financial choice.

Jessica: Features I love about the A290 include the overboost button on the steering wheel, which gives instantaneous maximum power to execute a fast overtake. There’s another dial to adjust the amount of regenerative braking, slowing the car without touching the brake pedal. Unlike many cars we test, the A290 has a simple system for personalising the safety features too.

The steering is precise. Alpine has fitted physical buttons to control the air conditioning and the cabin itself is eye-catchingly different. And while the boot is a good size, only toddlers and small children will be comfortable on the tight back seats.

Discover more about the Alpine A290 at alpinecars.com

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.