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A pocket rocket by any other name, the Renault Alpine A290 does not disappoint in the fun stakes.
If you’re looking for an electric car that brings a smile to your face, and attracts admiring looks from almost every other driver on the road – this is it. With a range of around 200 miles on a full charge, the A290 is pure joy to drive. It will comfortably take you through your daily travels, and it’s more than capable on longer journeys too. Think Chester to Cheshunt, or Wells to Warrington – no problem at all.
The Alpine grips the road as though its life depends on it. I took it for a spin along the Cat & Fiddle in the Peak District. If you know this road, you’ll know its twists and turns are legendary, as are the breathtaking views. The Alpine handles them beautifully. The braking is punchy, and I have it on good authority that the steering is tighter than its electric Renault 5 sibling.
The steering wheel itself has real wow factor, packed with exciting buttons and stalks. There’s a red one marked ‘OV’. Press and hold it, and you get a burst of extra torque when overtaking. It feels delightful and ever so slightly naughty. There’s also a blue button to adjust regenerative braking (a little underwhelming compared with the red one), and another to switch drive modes. These are easy to toggle through, although when I was down to 35 miles of range, the car suggested eco mode. Could I find it? No. Not a clue.
The A290 achieved strong safety results, scoring 80% for both adult and child occupant protection, 76% for protecting vulnerable road users, and 68% for safety assist systems. Standard kit includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assist, with the option to add a safety pack that gives you blind spot monitoring and other extras.
Space-wise, the Alpine is marketed as a ‘small family car’, which feels about right. My daughter complained about the back seats being on the snug side, and if you need to fit multiple child seats across the back, this isn’t the car for you. But the A290 isn’t about space. It’s compact, it’s bijou, and it delivers an exceptional drive experience. One point to note if you’re a coffee lover: there are no cup holders in the A290’s cabin.
One small but important detail: the seatbelt sits comfortably across the body. In other EVs, I’ve found belts can dig into my neck or chest, which is not ideal. The Alpine gets this right.
That said, after a few hours’ driving, my back felt it. This may have been my fault, as I hadn’t fully adjusted the driver’s seat. Later, my daughter discovered a clever seat setting that inflates to support your lower back. Game changer.
The steering wheel is a touch firm, so after hours of driving, my hands were slightly sore. Not a dealbreaker by any means. I still loved every minute behind the wheel.
Let’s talk about charging, because for many drivers, perhaps especially women, ease, safety, and peace of mind are non-negotiable.
The Alpine A290 supports rapid charging up to 100kW, which means you can go from 20% to 80% in around 30 minutes. Perfect for a coffee stop or a quick break on a longer trip. At home, a smart charger will give you a full charge overnight – plug in, go to bed, and wake up to 200 miles of range ready to go, for about £5 if you’re on an off-peak energy tariff.
For everyday life, that range covers the school run, commute, shopping trips, and weekend outings without you needing to think twice. On longer journeys, the car’s navigation helps you find chargers en route, and you can filter by speed, so you’re not stuck at a slow one when you’re in a hurry.
The charging port is positioned at the front on the side, which makes plugging in much less awkward than those cars where you’re wrangling cables around the back. And because the A290 is compact, it’s easy to manoeuvre into tighter bays, which is something that’s not always the case with bigger EVs.
Ultimately, charging the Alpine is as simple as charging your phone: keep it topped up at home, and when you’re out adventuring, factor in a coffee break while it recharges.
The Renault Alpine A290 isn’t just an electric car – it’s an experience. Stylish, compact, thrilling to drive, and practical enough for day-to-day life. Yes, the back seats are tight, and yes, you’ll want to fine-tune your seat settings for longer journeys. But none of that takes away from the sheer joy this car delivers.
If you’re looking for an EV that turns heads, puts a grin on your face, and still fits around real life, then this pocket rocket deserves to be on your electric car shortlist.
Gill Nowell
