If you’ve been mourning the death of the hot hatch like we have, it’s time to dry your eyes and put the kettle on — because Alpine’s A290 has arrived to jolt some proper fun back into driving...
This is the sporty, electric twin of the Renault 5, and yes — it really does feel like a return to those sh*t eating grin, chuck it into a corner hatchback glory days. Only now, it hums instead of growls.
At just 3.99 metres long, the A290 is as compact as a Clio in its gym years — but wider, lower, and meaner. It shares its bones with the upcoming Renault 5 E-Tech, but Alpine’s team has been busy fine-tuning the details: bespoke springs, stiffer dampers, and a lighter aluminium subframe that shifts the front motor’s position for better balance.
And it shows. This little EV doesn’t just look hot-hatch sharp — it drives like it’s got caffeine in its coolant.
Power comes in two flavours: 178bhp and 217bhp, both front-wheel drive, both feather-light (for an EV) at just under 1,480kg. The 217bhp version zips from 0–62mph in 6.4 seconds, which might not sound insane, but behind the wheel, it feels delightfully alive — torque-steery, eager, a little wild. Proper old-school fun.
This isn’t your average small EV. Alpine’s engineers clearly had one rule: make it feel like a driver’s car, not a data centre on wheels.
The steering is light but precise. The front end bites with real intent, and the chassis actually talks to you. Throw it into a corner and you get that nostalgic lift-off oversteer that used to make old-school Clio RS drivers giggle.
Even the braking system is tuned for enthusiasts — with discs pinched from the Alpine A110 sports car (320mm) and regenerative braking that feels seamless rather than synthetic.
Oh, and the ride? Surprisingly supple. None of that pogo-stick stiffness you get in some “sporty” EVs. It’s comfy enough for the school run but still sharp enough for a backroad blast.
Design-wise, the A290 nails that retro-futurist look. It channels the spirit of the classic Renault 5 Turbo — with those boxy headlights, chunky arches, and squat stance — but with a modern Alpine twist.
Inside, it’s plush and driver-focused. Think two-tone blue leather, subtle ambient lighting, and enough French flair to make a Peugeot jealous.
There’s a big touchscreen running Google’s OS, backed up by proper physical buttons for the important stuff – and thank heavens for that — no digging through menus to find the demister.
And while you get toys like G-meters and cornering tutorials (yes, really), they’re more nerdy cool than gimmicky. Alpine knows its audience.
Now, let’s be honest — this isn’t a family wagon. Rear legroom is tight, and Alpine forgot to leave space for cupholders (we’re not kidding). But there’s a 326-litre boot, which is decent for its size, and it’s got five doors — so yes, technically, it’s practical enough to justify to your partner. And as you’ll see from the review, someone of Ben’s size getting into the back IS doable.
Under the floor sits a 52kWh battery, good for around 226 miles on paper — though real-world you’re looking at 180-ish, depending how much fun you’re having (yes, that means Ben) It supports 100kW rapid charging, so a 10–80% top-up takes about 30 minutes.
And for my favourite feature - you also get a heat pump as standard — handy for those chilly UK mornings when EVs usually gulp extra juice just to stay warm.
Now for the big one: price. The Alpine A290 kicks off at £32,000 on the road, and for the range-topping GTS with the full-fat 217bhp setup, you’re looking at £36,000 up.
Yes, that’s more than a Mini Cooper SE or an Abarth 500e, but less than the big, beastly Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. So it sits neatly in that sweet spot — attainable performance, without hypercar headaches.
The Alpine A290 isn’t trying to be the fastest or flashiest EV on the planet — it’s trying to make driving fun again. And it absolutely succeeds. It’s cheeky, it’s communicative, and it’s a rare electric car that makes you want to take the long way home.
In a world obsessed with range anxiety and touchscreens, the A290 gives us torque steer, agility, and proper driver involvement — things we thought we’d lost to history.
Sure, it’s not cheap. But if you’ve been waiting for an EV that gives you the same tingles a Renaultsport Clio or Peugeot GTI once did — Alpine just delivered…The hot hatch isn’t dead. It’s just gone electric!
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😌