2025 Alpine A290 GTS

Some cars don’t need to be driven to know they’re right. The Alpine A290 was one of those from day one.

The tough, compact proportions. The wide stance. And above all the iconic X‑shaped split headlights, a playful nod to the A110 and, at the same time, a clear message: this is an Alpine, not just a Renault in a different outfit.

And then there’s the GTS, the most refined and most desirable version. Blue leather upholstery extending into the door panels, unique trim details, and the highest output available in the A290 range: 220 hp.

On paper, that might sound modest in EV terms. On the road, it feels anything but. Once again, Alpine proves that real driving pleasure has little to do with brute straight‑line numbers, and everything to do with what you feel through the steering wheel as the car settles into a corner.

Addictive driving dynamics

From the first few metres, the A290 GTS feels almost weightless. Steering response is so immediate that it can feel almost too sharp at first, until you realise just how predictable and transparent the chassis really is. This is an electric hot hatch that makes you feel capable. No drama. No nervousness. It simply does exactly what you ask of it, and often does it even better than you expected.

The gearing, the balance, the feedback: Alpine has worked genuine magic here. In every detail, you can feel that this is not a lightly reworked Renault 5. The platform was used as a foundation, then thoroughly infused with Alpine DNA. An evolution, not a copy.

This is a car that encourages you to chase corners. Not to prove how fast it is, but because it invites you, again and again, to do it just one more time.

Powertrain: not about sprints

220 hp, delivered by an electric motor with instant response, is more than enough in a car of this size. The A290 never feels slow, never constrained, never as if it is missing something. It simply feels right. More importantly, it feels light on its feet, something far rarer in electric cars than outright power.

The 52 kWh battery delivers a real‑world range of over 300 km, even in low temperatures. Our consumption figure of just under 17 kWh/100 km tells the story clearly. This is an efficient EV, not only on paper, but in everyday use.

Gimmicks that aren’t gimmicks

Alpine has added a few playful features, and for once they are neither random nor pointless.

• The OV button on the steering wheel gives you 10 seconds of extra boost, perfect for a quick overtake.

• The regeneration dial sits on the left side of the steering wheel. One click left or right adjusts regen level, without diving into menus. Brilliant.

• You get driving challenges in the infotainment system, encouraging more efficient, more precise and more enjoyable driving. A small detail with a surprisingly big impact.

All of it reinforces that playful, light‑footed character Alpine understands so well.

Interior: compact but premium, sporty yet grown‑up

Inside, the GTS feels genuinely premium. Blue leather covers not only the seats, but also the dashboard and even the door panels, something many far more expensive hot hatches do not offer. Fit and finish are precise, solid and refreshingly modern.

And then there’s the best detail of all: the centre console. Lifted straight from the A110, with the familiar D, N and R buttons. It feels sporty, purposeful, almost rally‑like, and that in a compact electric car.

Thankfully, Alpine has also opted for physical climate control buttons. A rarity in 2025. And a blessing. No menus, no distractions, just direct control. In a sporty car, that is not just comfort, it’s safety.

The optional Devialet audio system is another must‑have. Not just good, but absurdly good for a car of this size. Clear, powerful, rich. Knowing Devialet, that comes as no surprise, but it remains an upgrade worth taking if music matters to you.

Living with the A290: enough range, enough space, enough car

The A290 may be compact, but it’s genuinely usable. Boot space sits at 326 litres, the rear seats are fine for shorter trips, and overall ergonomics are spot on. Everything is where you want it to be, everything makes sense, an area where many EVs still fall short.

Daily use? Absolutely. Weekend fun? Without question. Driving pleasure? That is the whole point.

With a base price around €39.000, the A290 is also unexpectedly sharp in the market. The GTS is obviously more expensive, but considering what you get in terms of design, finish, engineering and sheer enjoyment, it still feels like strong value.

Conclusion: the electric hot hatch that truly gives back

The Alpine A290 GTS is not just an electric city car with sporty intentions. It’s a car that wants to play, wants to surprise, wants to feel alive. Light on its feet, sharp, playful, yet mature when it needs to be.

The simplest way to sum it up? This is a car that makes you instantly happy. And in 2025, in a world full of heavy, anonymous electric SUVs, that might just be its greatest strength.