Alpine A290 GTS test: so fun you want more power
We actually wanted to publish this Alpine A290 GTS review much earlier. But since we first used the car for filming the television program De Mooiste Wegen, this video had to wait. That wait was worth it, as the Alpine turns out to be a particularly fun electric hot hatch with an excellent chassis that practically begs for more power.
Retro that brings joy
Renault has figured out quite well how to bring a historic model name back to life. The Renault 5 is perhaps the best example of this. With the new Twingo and Renault 4, the French brand continues building on that success. But Alpine does something special with the A290. It combines the appealing vibe of the Renault 5 with a much more serious sporting character.
And that exterior works. We’re often approached by people who admire the A290. Not only car enthusiasts but also passersby who are simply thrilled by its design. That’s quite special these days. While many new electric cars try to impress with huge lighting displays, large screens, or spectacular dimensions, this small Alpine is enough on its own appearance.
Although the resemblance to the Renault 5 is immediately obvious, Alpine has made several changes. The body is wider, the wheel arches are more robust, and almost every visible detail has its own unique design. Even the door handles and tail lights differ. The result is a compact electric car that looks exceptionally attractive from almost every angle.
Alpine A290 GTS test on old rally roads
For our introduction, we went to Liguria, in the mountainous area behind Sanremo. This was where the famous stage races of the Rallye Sanremo used to take place. Narrow roads, sharp turns, and significant elevation changes make it an excellent environment to discover a car’s sporting capabilities.
The handling characteristics of the Alpine A290 GTS are quite well-developed. Even after just a few kilometers, it’s evident how direct and precise its steering is. The steering wheel is thick and comfortable to hold, and it can be adjusted conveniently toward the driver. The sport seats also deserve praise—they provide ample support and can be lowered surprisingly low. This last feature isn’t common in electric cars, as the battery pack under the floor inevitably takes up space.
The overall seating position is perfect. You sit comfortably behind the steering wheel, with all the key controls within easy reach, and it’s immediately clear that Alpine designed this car for people who enjoy driving. There are also buttons on the steering wheel that allow you to adjust things like regenerative braking and temporarily access extra power. But the best is yet to come.
A suspension that can handle much more
As the speed increases, the Alpine A290 GTS demonstrates its greatest strengths. The chassis feels exceptionally stiff, the front wheels offer excellent grip, and the handling provides sufficient confidence to steer the car through corners with increasing precision.
The suspension tuning is also successful. The A290 is firm but not overly stiff. You can feel what’s happening under the wheels without every bump immediately affecting your back. The chassis keeps the wheels firmly in contact with the ground and provides the driver with enough feedback to manipulate the car effectively.
Alpine has also cleverly tuned the electronic stability system. When you take a corner aggressively, you notice that the rear end tends to follow a bit. Sometimes even the inner rear wheel is briefly unloaded. This gives the A290 a playful character that we don’t see in many electric cars.
And it is there that you realize just how good this Alpine really is. The chassis can clearly handle more power. In fact, after a few aggressive turns, you’d wish it had a few extra horsepower. Not because the current 220 hp is insufficient, but because the rest of the car gives you so much confidence.
Why 220 hp feels like too little
The Alpine A290 GTS is equipped with an electric motor producing 220 hp and 300 Nm of torque. With that, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. That’s certainly not slow, and on public roads, you hardly lack performance. But those who put the Alpine to the test on a challenging mountain road find that the drivetrain doesn’t inspire quite the same enthusiasm as the chassis.
That makes the comparison with the Lancia Ypsilon HF interesting. It has 280 horsepower and a mechanical locking differential, just like the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and Abarth 600e. This helps deliver the available power effectively onto the asphalt during aggressive acceleration out of sharp corners.
The Alpine has to do without such a mechanical locking differential and also has 60 horsepower less. Yet it remains exceptionally enjoyable to drive. While its competitors impress mainly with their powerful powertrains, the A290 convinces with its precision and balanced handling. The driving pleasure here lies not so much in brute acceleration but in how the car responds to its driver. The Alpine is so good that you actually only want more.
Choose the 220 hp version, not the regular GT
The Alpine A290 is available with 180 or 220 hp. Those who prioritize appearance will be fine with the less powerful GT. But for those who enjoy sporty driving, we would undoubtedly opt for the 220 hp version. Those extra 40 hp fit much better with the car’s character.
Our GTS is listed at €45,200 in the Dutch price list. This makes it significantly more expensive than the regular A290 GT, which is available starting at €39,200. Those who are primarily looking for enhanced performance can also choose the GT Performance version. It has the same 220 hp and costs starting at €42,400.
The GTS also offers a more luxurious interior finish, including fine leather upholstery and a more advanced audio system. This makes it an attractive all-in-one package, though you’ll need to pay a considerable amount for an electric hatchback that is less than four meters long.
The battery pack has a capacity of 52 kWh, and the GTS can travel up to 365 kilometers according to the WLTP testing method. Fast charging is possible at a maximum of 100 kW. These figures don’t make the Alpine stand out among current EV options, but that’s not where its greatest appeal lies.
Slightly better sound insulation would be nice
Are there no drawbacks at all? Certainly there are. Alpine has clearly tried to keep the weight under control. You can tell this, for example, from the doors. They don’t sound as solid when opening and closing as you might expect from a car in this price range.
Quite a bit of noise also gets into the cabin from the wheel arches. You can clearly hear the tires and suspension in action, especially on less smooth asphalt. This gives the car character on one hand, but slightly better sound insulation would improve daily comfort.
On the other hand, it’s pleasant that Alpine hasn’t made the common mistake of equating sportiness with an overly stiff suspension. The A290 remains comfortably plush while still allowing you to feel exactly what’s going on under the car.
It’s so enjoyable that you really just want more
After two days driving on Sanremo’s old rally roads, we understand why so many people are excited about this Alpine. Its appearance grabs attention, but it’s the driving experience that truly makes it special. It handles beautifully, feels solid, and keeps you engaged throughout the drive.
We even spoke recently with someone who drives a BMW 7 Series and is seriously considering switching to an Alpine A290 GTS. That might sound like a surprising choice, but after meeting them, we can actually understand it. Because what’s the use of a huge, heavy luxury car when you can have so much fun with a compact Alpine?
The Alpine A290 GTS proves that you don’t need 300 or 400 horsepower to enjoy incredible driving pleasure. With its excellent chassis, precise handling, and playful character, it keeps us entertained constantly. Yet we would still like to see Alpine add a bit more power. Not because the current 220 horsepower is insufficient, but because this little French car clearly has much more in store. We really can’t give it any higher compliment.