Unfortunately, I also couldn't justify it over a handful of other ICE hot hatches that are either cheaper or quicker. It's a shame, I really thought this could be the one that gets me.
Its a joke at 45k euro. If it was 25k, sure. edit: I see its 50k even :O I can get a used Porsche Boxster for that kind of money or a Taycan for just a little bit more.
@@mikeymike1792 ok a new Mini Cooper SE JCW then? I had the old model. The Mini cooper is faster, I am sure its better to drive cause mine was awesome and its cheaper and better looking :)
@@AndrewTSq A more fair comparison, for sure. The base model is only slightly cheaper than the Alpine, but way more expensive to tax, insure and run. Plus a smaller boot and similar rear space. Excellent car and you're right, it'll probably be brilliant fun to drive, more so than the Alpine, but it's not superior in every area. (Also, the electric JCW is a direct rival to the Alpine, and more expensive)
The original Renault Twingo used to have rear seats on rails, so you could move them fore and aft, depending on how much legroom/bootspace you wanted. Why this isn't more popular on small cars I have no idea...
I had a Citroen ZX that did that, fantastic idea. I want a small boot to give space for passengers or I am on my onw and I want a van! I can only assume safety is the issue.
I would guess it has something to do with safety and cost cutting. The koreans and japanese still do it though (the hyundai inster has it for sure and that one is ev too)
100% agree, it can't cost that much more to put in and it makes the car so more more functional, loads of space when you need to drive your mates and loads of space when your doing a big shop.
160 kW - 220 hp 6.4 sec to 100 km/h 361 km wltp range 16.6 Wh/100 km 52 kWh batt Rear multilink suspension Approx 1450 kg € 50.000 for top spec 100 kW DC charge 11 kW AC charge No cup holders!
The price of the Zeekr 7X in its top configuration is approximately €39,900 (around 42,500 USD or 309,000 CNY). This version includes a dual-motor system delivering up to 645 hp, advanced safety features, premium leather interior, a panoramic roof, multiple multimedia displays, and fast-charging support.
"you can put shopping on the back seats but you can't put kids in the boot" is perfect. I got a vauxhall viva for my first car and thought the boot was far too small. But its fine. I've moved house with it and gone on holiday with two friends and all of our luggage. Most of the time any luggage goes on the passenger seat. It's so easy to park and I drove from the midlands to London Gatwick on a quarter of a tank.
Honestly, it'd become pretty rare seeing a reasonably priced small EV recently... It was honestly surprising seeing someone being taller than the car they're reviewing while the car not costing an arm, a leg and a brother...
I`ve always LOVED small hot hatches and i was fortunate enough to be driving in the 1980`s when every maker did a few great ones!..still not convinced on the whole EV thing... BUT the R5 Alpine along with the Abarth 500e are really tempting me..
What part of the "whole EV thing" don't you understand? A combustion-engine car burns through literally tons of dirty fossil fuel in operation, contributing to the undeniable global warming that is causing multiple worsening catastrophes. Driving a comparable EV will signicantly reduce those emissions and is the only realistic way we'll decarbonize land transport (together with promoting mass transit and alternatives like e-bikes).
I was surprised that Jack didn't mention an upcoming Alpine vs. Abarth vid. But I AM fully convinced on the whole EV thing, especially after blowing the doors off a late model Maserati who actually challenged me to a race in my 2013 500e. Driving ICE cars now is a rush though, when I floor it to pass & nothing happens for half a second - enough time to scare me!
Yes, sliding and reclining rear seats that fold flat for flexible cargo and passenger space. The Inster is far more practical with more space despite it being based on a gas platform.
As a MINI SE owner, I can say that electric "hot hatches" are an absolute barrel of laughs. They are so much fun to drive. On anything bar a racing track, they feel much faster than the figures dictate due to the immediacy of oomph. Ok, they dont make any noise, and maybe that is all you care about, but from a to b in the city, nothing is more fun. Loved the review, and I love the a290. A worthy successor to the SE. I wont touch the new lardy MINI.
Hopefully they'll release a proper yellow, like with the A110. I got a Honda E right now and this is looking like the perfect upgrade (faster, and FWD is more fun), but I don't want to buy the first year's model but hopefully the second or third year will come in a splendid yellow.
To be honest, I know the reviewers say it’s not necessary but I was hoping for something with around 300ish hp for added performance. It’s great to feel fun and fast, but it’s another thing to actually be fun and fast
On a twisty road, a well driven A290 could definitely surprise some bigger on paper faster cars. It's not all about 0-100 or outright power... Key is well driven, can't just rely on having the faster straight line car, this is a car for drivers that appreciate driver tuning, at a cost. Just like many dismiss the 4cyl 260hp Alpine A110 in favour of Porsches or Corvettes, but it's actually an tremendously sweet driving car for real road fun driving. I'd love one and that's coming from an enthusiast Ioniq 5 N owner (but I need the space)
Yup. Sadly the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro grew to over 170 inches long in their 2024 refreshes. The Fiat 500e (143 inches long) and Mini Cooper SE Electric (152 inches) are smaller than the Alpine A290 (157 inches). The Kia EV3 (170 inches) is supposedly coming to the USA in 2026.
Americans didn't bother with the 5 in the seventies (called 'le car') and that was it for Renault in the USA. Well, except for the Alpine F1 car this weekend in Vegas.
As always a great review from Jack, loving your work! That Jack test looked absolutely brutal though. I know you don’t get a car like that for the back seat room but wow.
Until we have a universal standard size mannequin to put in car pictures, every reviewer needs to state how tall they are (in the shoes they're wearing).
I had an R5 Alpine Turbo in the same colour nearly 35 years ago and I really really really want to love this. But every review I've seen including yours has left me wondering whether the performance stats are enough because nobody seems blown away by them...that said my dull as ditch water eNiro with 20bhp less hauling around an extra 1/4 of a ton more leaves most fossil fools for dust...
Too much focus today on TH-cam dragraces and dragy leaderboards, true fun isn't in the acceleration, it's in how a car handles and feels and responds to driver input. The real driving fun also comes from amazing twisty roads, not from an open air field straight run, then you could just visit a Tivilo attraction imho.... I happy Alpine put their sauce on the R5, I'm pretty sure they didn't have to, and I wish it garners succes as the 1000 hp+ 1,5s 0-100 escalation in EVs leads us nowhere and only makes for frustrating cars to drive in the real world!
YES! FINALLY a small EV! And, the screens aren't giant and there is a ton of physical buttons. Such a cool little car, shame it's not available in the US.
Automotive News reported in 2023 : Laurent Rossi, the CEO of Alpine, plans to increase the sub-brand’s sales volume and product portfolio from the 3,500 Alpine 110s that it sold last year to more than 150,000 examples of at least three models by 2030. “We want to go to the U.S., which will create the bulk of the extra volume,” he said. While Rossi has plans to introduce a small EV resurrecting the Renault 5 model name in Europe, his U.S plans center around a midsize electric crossover and a larger electric crossover to be introduced sometime in 2027 or 2028 " . The next electric Alpine cars will be designed for US market and will be sold in USA around 2028 - 2030 . This will be the great return of Renault / Alpine on US market since 1987.
A number of Nissan products sold in the United States - including the Cube, the Juke, the Rogue, and the Murano - have used one of multiple common chassis designed by Renault and Nissan.
That backseat is a deal breaker. But Renault is the best answer from Europe to Chinese cars. Much better than stiffer tariffs. I'm really in love with the Mégane. That'll fit my sudden crave for an electric Renault.
Yus - the lack of cupholder is a pretty significant oversight, imo, even if it is meant to be a 'fun-day' car (because even fun-day cars get the commute to work some days).
Nice review - disagree on the boot/seats ratio though! Most people buying a "hot hatch" aren't doing so to have it as a family car, the back seats are for occasional use, yet a decent-sized boot is always welcome and often needed.
Can we assume the rear seating space or lack of is identical to R5? This made the Alpine sound like a separate company (which technically it might be) but it's just a division of Renault.
"Help, George!" I cannot help. I wish you had reviewed the Dacia Spring. I would love to have had your take on that. I think there Dacia is a very fine move in the correct direction. A bit like the 1948 Morris Minor - a car for the people in hard times. Best wishes from George
Thanks for the review, enjoyable as ever. This may be petty on my part but no cup holders? My daughter who seems to endlessly drink water or coffee in the car world rule this car out on that alone. Version 1.1 soon?
Yes, but does it have active thermal battery management or a heat pump? What is the battery type and chemistry? What are the charging capabilities AC/DC? What is the useable battery size? What is the real world efficiency?
Steady on young man! You'll be wanting a proper technical review next! Just look at the colour range ... that's all you need to know. Not forgetting finding someone to insure it.
I still cant justify it over the regular top of the line Renault 5... Ok it may have a better suspension.. but 10k better? how many people will drive both in an afternoon to compare it? A better battery or at the very least that OV button should give it 50kw to 100kw boost.
The driver's seat position was for a 6'5" person. In the interest of fairness (and comparison with other B-segment cars) I think the rear passenger spacing behind the driver should have been shown at all extremes of the front seat's most forward and most rear positioning. In the end, we just saw how cramped the rear passenger would be if Jack was the driver, and he's of an exceptional height.
This car reminds me of a gaming computer, i.e. a computer dressed up with a stupid angular case, lights and gizmos to make pretend it is somehow worth forking out nearly 2x as much one in the normal box.
To keep the analogy, unser interface matters. Most EVs are like a top spec hw but a crappy keyboard, mouse and screen. This focuses on enough "computing" power but great driver interface. True drivers know a great chassis can make a great car without having the fastest sprint times on paper. And not long ago 6s ish was very fast for a hot hatch, so...
Now I really really like the R5, however, I love this! For me sadly it has the same negative point as the R5, the range just isn't enough for my daily commute, which often can include motorway driving. If it had been closer to the 280/290 miles it would be right at the top of my list for replacing my Ioniq5.
Those challenges remind me of good old Project Gotham Racing on Xbox where you'd get kudos points for taking the best handbreaky around a corner, etc. Hahaha.
I prefer the drive selector in the Alpine to the steering column mounted drive selector in the Renault 5. It’s a shame that it’s at the expense of the cup holder. Most cars with the drive selector in the central console still manage to have cup holders as well.
I’m in need of some advice on the Alpine A290: I get to pick a new electric company car in March 2025, and this one will probably be within my range (as well as the R5). I have been driving a Peugeot e208 GT with much enjoyment the past few years. The only thing that has bothered me about it is that I cannot get it to go more than 250km’s; and with just 100kw DC charging, long journeys are a bit of a pain. As a total car nut, the Alpine is a very obvious choice (I am young and have no kids so no need for space and willing to pay for a some speed and handling). However, the Alpine (and R5 for that matter) have a very similar setup as the Peugeot in terms of range etc… this doesn’t exactly make it feel like an upgrade from the Peugeot. I am also looking at the Volvo EX30 and de Merc EQA (which has very impressive range) but this just seems so much more fun! What to do….
I don’t like that cars are growing on the outside, are looking more aggressive and wheels are getting bigger. The old R5 had such an iconic objective design. Everything has to be pumped up on steroids
Was so into everything until you way to quickly just jumped along as if "no cup holder" is not a big deal‽ this is not acceptable by Alpine firstly, but Jack! Come on! 8:21
Wake me up when this can beat an MG4 in a drag race... I would rather have an R5, because it looks more retro-cool, and performance wise isn't that far behind the Alpine, for a lot less money. They put too much effort into making the interior out of luxurious materials while they should have focused on turning a warm hatch into a hot one. Sorry, too much makeup for my taste. Edit: I like the steering wheel though.
Wow Renault makes the best cars! Thanks Renault for lending us this car! Can't help to think that all of these reviews are going to say the same thing about the next car😅
Hot hatch used to be 1000€ extra over standard car. You got biggest engine, wider tires and stiffer suspension. But the rest stayed the same and it was normal and usable car. This rear legroom is awful, and some complain why people do not have children. There you go - if you can not afford a big car, you have nowhere to put them. BTW, I have Renault Zoe and I used to have Fiat Grande Punto for 7 years. Punto was huge on the inside, a lot of legroom in the back. While the Zoe has the same footprint, 4m long car, and same width, Zoe is a bit cramped in the back. Boot is a lot bigger, but it seems like a numbers game, where it can brag it 'has biggest in class' boot. Now I miss my Punto. Do not get me wring, it was 1.2 8V, it was dog to drive, but more practical car.
Looks like Jack could use a little waxing on that runaway chest hair poking out the shirt top ;). Great review as always - watched, even though I will never see one in person in NA
a bit too small for me. 15% bigger would be ideal. it would then still be 40cm shorter than a golf, but with an EV you don't need a long hood. you can save 20cm in length. 4m long would be ok for me. what renault/alpine did, is giving it character/personality. in the world of cars now a rare thing. give me an R5 XL 🙂
Small cars need to have sliding rear seats, so you have an option on rear space allocation.. My Son's Yaris let you do this decades ago. It seems so obvious but not to Renault obviously. This easily solved problem will make this car a non-starter for many people.
Was hoping this would be four wheel drive. Front wheel drive electric cars are attrociously bad in proper snowy winter conditions. Sadly almost all four wheel drive EV's are way too large to be a proper electric runabout.
Give us more small EV's down with the big Cars!!
More fun, small EV's.
I want a small EV as well but can they provide enough profit so that the auto companies can justify making them?
It's rather lovely isn't it? I don't think I could ever justify buying it over the 5, but I'll be very happy every time I see someone who has.
Unfortunately, I also couldn't justify it over a handful of other ICE hot hatches that are either cheaper or quicker. It's a shame, I really thought this could be the one that gets me.
Its a joke at 45k euro. If it was 25k, sure. edit: I see its 50k even :O I can get a used Porsche Boxster for that kind of money or a Taycan for just a little bit more.
@@AndrewTSq I get your point, but comparing new to used is always a bit irrelevant.
@@mikeymike1792 ok a new Mini Cooper SE JCW then? I had the old model. The Mini cooper is faster, I am sure its better to drive cause mine was awesome and its cheaper and better looking :)
@@AndrewTSq A more fair comparison, for sure. The base model is only slightly cheaper than the Alpine, but way more expensive to tax, insure and run. Plus a smaller boot and similar rear space.
Excellent car and you're right, it'll probably be brilliant fun to drive, more so than the Alpine, but it's not superior in every area.
(Also, the electric JCW is a direct rival to the Alpine, and more expensive)
The original Renault Twingo used to have rear seats on rails, so you could move them fore and aft, depending on how much legroom/bootspace you wanted. Why this isn't more popular on small cars I have no idea...
My 2008 Grand Modus has that too - so good! Wish smartness in cars were still a thing...
I had a Citroen ZX that did that, fantastic idea. I want a small boot to give space for passengers or I am on my onw and I want a van! I can only assume safety is the issue.
I would guess it has something to do with safety and cost cutting. The koreans and japanese still do it though (the hyundai inster has it for sure and that one is ev too)
100% agree, it can't cost that much more to put in and it makes the car so more more functional, loads of space when you need to drive your mates and loads of space when your doing a big shop.
Some Twingo 2’s also have a moveable setup with 2 seats, each on their own rail. It is soo convenient.
160 kW - 220 hp
6.4 sec to 100 km/h
361 km wltp range
16.6 Wh/100 km
52 kWh batt
Rear multilink suspension
Approx 1450 kg
€ 50.000 for top spec
100 kW DC charge
11 kW AC charge
No cup holders!
Thanks.
Thanks, you did what the pro car reviewers couldn’t be bothered with.
I've paid for Tesla M3P 2024 56k euro. Can't beat that and this is coming from an ex renault 5 owner
Need to be cheaper as MG4 X POWER
3.8s - 0-100km/h
£25,500
The price of the Zeekr 7X in its top configuration is approximately €39,900 (around 42,500 USD or 309,000 CNY). This version includes a dual-motor system delivering up to 645 hp, advanced safety features, premium leather interior, a panoramic roof, multiple multimedia displays, and fast-charging support.
We need more hatchbacks. Far too many larger vehicles nowadays.
"you can put shopping on the back seats but you can't put kids in the boot" is perfect. I got a vauxhall viva for my first car and thought the boot was far too small. But its fine. I've moved house with it and gone on holiday with two friends and all of our luggage. Most of the time any luggage goes on the passenger seat. It's so easy to park and I drove from the midlands to London Gatwick on a quarter of a tank.
"You can't put your kids in the boot" - really? Mine fit in easily, no complaints. Or at least I can't hear any.
I'm 52, and I'm pretty much too old to have had a Viva as my first car!
Excellent report Jack. Looking fwd to your doing another drive with Robert.
Honestly, it'd become pretty rare seeing a reasonably priced small EV recently... It was honestly surprising seeing someone being taller than the car they're reviewing while the car not costing an arm, a leg and a brother...
Alpine made very cool variations on lots of Renaults back when I was a kid. Very long time ago...
Good video.
I`ve always LOVED small hot hatches and i was fortunate enough to be driving in the 1980`s when every maker did a few great ones!..still not convinced on the whole EV thing... BUT the R5 Alpine along with the Abarth 500e are really tempting me..
What part of the "whole EV thing" don't you understand? A combustion-engine car burns through literally tons of dirty fossil fuel in operation, contributing to the undeniable global warming that is causing multiple worsening catastrophes. Driving a comparable EV will signicantly reduce those emissions and is the only realistic way we'll decarbonize land transport (together with promoting mass transit and alternatives like e-bikes).
I was surprised that Jack didn't mention an upcoming Alpine vs. Abarth vid. But I AM fully convinced on the whole EV thing, especially after blowing the doors off a late model Maserati who actually challenged me to a race in my 2013 500e. Driving ICE cars now is a rush though, when I floor it to pass & nothing happens for half a second - enough time to scare me!
The EV I lust for (and _will_ buy if it ever makes it to production) is the Caterham V, but this Alpine will suffice in the mean time!
Caterham V is very close in spec to a Tesla Roadster mk1 FYI.... Based on Lotus chassis.... A car before it's time...
They should have done the sliding backseats thing like in the Inster in both this and the Renault 5. Best of both worlds
Yes, sliding and reclining rear seats that fold flat for flexible cargo and passenger space. The Inster is far more practical with more space despite it being based on a gas platform.
As a MINI SE owner, I can say that electric "hot hatches" are an absolute barrel of laughs. They are so much fun to drive. On anything bar a racing track, they feel much faster than the figures dictate due to the immediacy of oomph. Ok, they dont make any noise, and maybe that is all you care about, but from a to b in the city, nothing is more fun.
Loved the review, and I love the a290. A worthy successor to the SE. I wont touch the new lardy MINI.
Pity it doesn't come in yellow like the standard R5, that's imo by far the best colour for that car.
Agreed!
If it's like the A110 they'll be a huge range of colours
Hopefully they'll release a proper yellow, like with the A110. I got a Honda E right now and this is looking like the perfect upgrade (faster, and FWD is more fun), but I don't want to buy the first year's model but hopefully the second or third year will come in a splendid yellow.
Oh it's still front wheel drive, that was the one thing I hoped they'd changed
To be honest, I know the reviewers say it’s not necessary but I was hoping for something with around 300ish hp for added performance. It’s great to feel fun and fast, but it’s another thing to actually be fun and fast
On a twisty road, a well driven A290 could definitely surprise some bigger on paper faster cars. It's not all about 0-100 or outright power... Key is well driven, can't just rely on having the faster straight line car, this is a car for drivers that appreciate driver tuning, at a cost. Just like many dismiss the 4cyl 260hp Alpine A110 in favour of Porsches or Corvettes, but it's actually an tremendously sweet driving car for real road fun driving.
I'd love one and that's coming from an enthusiast Ioniq 5 N owner (but I need the space)
@@onehorsepower very true and well put mate
FWD stands for Fast Wheel Drive.
If *only* we could have this sort of car here in the USA?! That would be awesome!
You're only allowed to drive Musk mobiles or planet burners.
@@AlanTov Oh, we have several options for EVs other than Tesla - but not many smaller ones.
Yup. Sadly the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro grew to over 170 inches long in their 2024 refreshes. The Fiat 500e (143 inches long) and Mini Cooper SE Electric (152 inches) are smaller than the Alpine A290 (157 inches). The Kia EV3 (170 inches) is supposedly coming to the USA in 2026.
I agree. I'd happily have this as my second EV.
Americans didn't bother with the 5 in the seventies (called 'le car') and that was it for Renault in the USA. Well, except for the Alpine F1 car this weekend in Vegas.
As always a great review from Jack, loving your work!
That Jack test looked absolutely brutal though. I know you don’t get a car like that for the back seat room but wow.
Until we have a universal standard size mannequin to put in car pictures, every reviewer needs to state how tall they are (in the shoes they're wearing).
I had an R5 Alpine Turbo in the same colour nearly 35 years ago and I really really really want to love this. But every review I've seen including yours has left me wondering whether the performance stats are enough because nobody seems blown away by them...that said my dull as ditch water eNiro with 20bhp less hauling around an extra 1/4 of a ton more leaves most fossil fools for dust...
Just do a test drive as and when showroom demos are available. You'll be warmly welcomed.
Too much focus today on TH-cam dragraces and dragy leaderboards, true fun isn't in the acceleration, it's in how a car handles and feels and responds to driver input. The real driving fun also comes from amazing twisty roads, not from an open air field straight run, then you could just visit a Tivilo attraction imho....
I happy Alpine put their sauce on the R5, I'm pretty sure they didn't have to, and I wish it garners succes as the 1000 hp+ 1,5s 0-100 escalation in EVs leads us nowhere and only makes for frustrating cars to drive in the real world!
YES! FINALLY a small EV! And, the screens aren't giant and there is a ton of physical buttons. Such a cool little car, shame it's not available in the US.
When, when, when will Renault and Alpine return to selling their wonderful cars in the USA! I'd buy one of each today here in Oregon if I could.
Automotive News reported in 2023 : Laurent Rossi, the CEO of Alpine, plans to increase the sub-brand’s sales volume and product portfolio from the 3,500 Alpine 110s that it sold last year to more than 150,000 examples of at least three models by 2030. “We want to go to the U.S., which will create the bulk of the extra volume,” he said. While Rossi has plans to introduce a small EV resurrecting the Renault 5 model name in Europe, his U.S plans center around a midsize electric crossover and a larger electric crossover to be introduced sometime in 2027 or 2028 " .
The next electric Alpine cars will be designed for US market and will be sold in USA around 2028 - 2030 . This will be the great return of Renault / Alpine on US market since 1987.
A number of Nissan products sold in the United States - including the Cube, the Juke, the Rogue, and the Murano - have used one of multiple common chassis designed by Renault and Nissan.
Good review. Thanks.
Renault/Alpine yet again proving they know how to build a good car. Good looking, good performing, good infotainment.
That backseat is a deal breaker. But Renault is the best answer from Europe to Chinese cars. Much better than stiffer tariffs. I'm really in love with the Mégane. That'll fit my sudden crave for an electric Renault.
Shock - small car is small inside 🤷♂🤷♂
@@SDK2006b Shock - 6ft odd bloke cant sit behind himself in a small car, who'd have thought...
@SDK2006b not all of them are, Kia EV3 and Hyundai Inster are small but have much more interior space and a more practical design
@@DaPlod I think he's possibly 6'5" from what Robert has said in earlier vids??
@jamespaul2587 Inster is a bit slow for me, so I'm joining Jack's campaign for an Inster N
I’d still wait for the small 4wd Rivian
9:38 hahahahahhaha that’s a reference I haven’t thought about for a while
A cup holder would be far more useful than the silly use of space to place your keyfob, which would normally be in my pocket.
Yus - the lack of cupholder is a pretty significant oversight, imo, even if it is meant to be a 'fun-day' car (because even fun-day cars get the commute to work some days).
@@logicalChimp Alpine is planning to add this like the banquette holder in the R5.
Along with wasted space for a gear shifter that could easily be on a stalk.
All very nice i must say. But I'll keep my Mégane e tech. It also goes like hot snot but with more space.
Nice review - disagree on the boot/seats ratio though! Most people buying a "hot hatch" aren't doing so to have it as a family car, the back seats are for occasional use, yet a decent-sized boot is always welcome and often needed.
Can we assume the rear seating space or lack of is identical to R5? This made the Alpine sound like a separate company (which technically it might be) but it's just a division of Renault.
"Help, George!" I cannot help. I wish you had reviewed the Dacia Spring. I would love to have had your take on that. I think there Dacia is a very fine move in the correct direction. A bit like the 1948 Morris Minor - a car for the people in hard times.
Best wishes from George
Awesome review and car!
Looks like proper rally ready hothatch ;)
Love it Alpine now make 4wd version with drift mode :)
I thought Jack’s taste is sneakers was good but a Parra shirt, awesome. Oh and the car is good too. ❤
Ty Jack 👍😀👏
Thanks for the review, enjoyable as ever. This may be petty on my part but no cup holders? My daughter who seems to endlessly drink water or coffee in the car world rule this car out on that alone. Version 1.1 soon?
Kia EV3 and Hyundai Inster are small hatchbacks with much more space and more practical interiors
Yes, but does it have active thermal battery management or a heat pump? What is the battery type and chemistry? What are the charging capabilities AC/DC? What is the useable battery size? What is the real world efficiency?
Yes to the heat pump and thermal management.
NMC
11kW AC, 100kW DC
52.0kWH useable
you can probally read that on the website about the normal renault 5
Steady on young man!
You'll be wanting a proper technical review next!
Just look at the colour range ... that's all you need to know.
Not forgetting finding someone to insure it.
I still cant justify it over the regular top of the line Renault 5... Ok it may have a better suspension.. but 10k better? how many people will drive both in an afternoon to compare it?
A better battery or at the very least that OV button should give it 50kw to 100kw boost.
Me I crashed doing a challenge. Insurance : hold my beer
Can we have a Renault 5 “Alpine edition” with just the Alpine suspensions and without all other form-over-function stuffs?
It's at the top of my list, need to drive both and then I can decide if the extra money is worth it.
Hello! Good review! I thought that the cup-holder was an American thing, but I notice that also in UK you can't live without it 😀
The driver's seat position was for a 6'5" person. In the interest of fairness (and comparison with other B-segment cars) I think the rear passenger spacing behind the driver should have been shown at all extremes of the front seat's most forward and most rear positioning. In the end, we just saw how cramped the rear passenger would be if Jack was the driver, and he's of an exceptional height.
This car reminds me of a gaming computer, i.e. a computer dressed up with a stupid angular case, lights and gizmos to make pretend it is somehow worth forking out nearly 2x as much one in the normal box.
but more fun 🥳
@@Payteer but 2x the fun or 1.01x the fun?
Except this car has all kinds of internal updates as well. And it is actually only 1.2 times the price of the regular Renault 5 with the same battery.
To keep the analogy, unser interface matters. Most EVs are like a top spec hw but a crappy keyboard, mouse and screen. This focuses on enough "computing" power but great driver interface. True drivers know a great chassis can make a great car without having the fastest sprint times on paper. And not long ago 6s ish was very fast for a hot hatch, so...
Respect the legacy halo car, but that new Twingo better show up yesterday
looks great... so the sound is sfx in the cabin? price ? colours?
Now I really really like the R5, however, I love this! For me sadly it has the same negative point as the R5, the range just isn't enough for my daily commute, which often can include motorway driving. If it had been closer to the 280/290 miles it would be right at the top of my list for replacing my Ioniq5.
Looks great
Been waiting for this one :D
Sound like a fantastic car, pity about the cramped rear seat.
I wounder how it compares to the new Mini Cooper S and what driving distance does the Alpine have?
I’ve always liked smallish hot hatches, and for me this is the first attempt at a decent one as an EV.
Do you remember the Abarth 500e? It was quite a flop for Stellantis, but this Alpine is what that car should have been
Those challenges remind me of good old Project Gotham Racing on Xbox where you'd get kudos points for taking the best handbreaky around a corner, etc. Hahaha.
I'm not Jeremy Clarkson's biggest fan but I'd love to see him review this.
I prefer the drive selector in the Alpine to the steering column mounted drive selector in the Renault 5. It’s a shame that it’s at the expense of the cup holder. Most cars with the drive selector in the central console still manage to have cup holders as well.
I would love a small EV, with the same range as the larger EVs. I don't need a big car, but I want the range.
Why do you need more than say 260 miles range?
Kia EV3 is a great option if available in your region.
I’m in need of some advice on the Alpine A290: I get to pick a new electric company car in March 2025, and this one will probably be within my range (as well as the R5). I have been driving a Peugeot e208 GT with much enjoyment the past few years. The only thing that has bothered me about it is that I cannot get it to go more than 250km’s; and with just 100kw DC charging, long journeys are a bit of a pain. As a total car nut, the Alpine is a very obvious choice (I am young and have no kids so no need for space and willing to pay for a some speed and handling). However, the Alpine (and R5 for that matter) have a very similar setup as the Peugeot in terms of range etc… this doesn’t exactly make it feel like an upgrade from the Peugeot. I am also looking at the Volvo EX30 and de Merc EQA (which has very impressive range) but this just seems so much more fun! What to do….
Not sure that the challenges that egg the driver on to be a knob are a good idea.
Knobs drive Audis drivers flying up on the outside lane on the motorway dangerously; this is just a bit of fun and not overpowered.
Was feeling so good about this car and then the back seats, oh dear
I don’t like that cars are growing on the outside, are looking more aggressive and wheels are getting bigger. The old R5 had such an iconic objective design. Everything has to be pumped up on steroids
“Show me a better back end”😳
put your bottle of water in the -oh wait…..I love it apart from the three big buttons to the loss of a cup holder. 😂
A car without a TV in it 🎉🎉🎉
Dunno what Aussie bloke you knew, but I'm pretty sure that's not what he said 😆
Pretty sure he would have said “we’re not here to fuck spiders…” 😂
@@zzrwood Exactly! 😁
Something that isn't a lookalike mini-SUV! It's a miracle! Don't like the Musk logo lights on the front, but otherwise, good stuff.
I want one so bad! But you can’t buy new French cars in the US 😢
Dang! Every time I think I know what EV I want to buy you show me a new one I want more.
Awesome 🎉
"Oh, it's so satisfying" - Jack.
That's what she said 😊
Does it have single pedal mode or all round cameras?
Was so into everything until you way to quickly just jumped along as if "no cup holder" is not a big deal‽ this is not acceptable by Alpine firstly, but Jack! Come on! 8:21
Wake me up when this can beat an MG4 in a drag race...
I would rather have an R5, because it looks more retro-cool, and performance wise isn't that far behind the Alpine, for a lot less money.
They put too much effort into making the interior out of luxurious materials while they should have focused on turning a warm hatch into a hot one.
Sorry, too much makeup for my taste.
Edit: I like the steering wheel though.
Alright then Jack, this or the Mii electric?
Wow Renault makes the best cars! Thanks Renault for lending us this car!
Can't help to think that all of these reviews are going to say the same thing about the next car😅
Having owned a renault it will have a cup holder, it maybe under the bonnet though.
I agree that backseat space should come before trunk space.
But when you highlight the coffee cup holder?
What man even uses this insignificant thing?
Its fantastic
I got that “bluish hue” reference….
❓Why the hell FWD? RWD would have lifted driving dynamics in unknown heights. FCUK Heritage at this point.❓
Is the A290 GTS coming to Australia?
So um, timestamp for the numbers? Or do I have to go to another cars review to get this cars numbers?
Hot hatch used to be 1000€ extra over standard car.
You got biggest engine, wider tires and stiffer suspension. But the rest stayed the same and it was normal and usable car.
This rear legroom is awful, and some complain why people do not have children. There you go - if you can not afford a big car, you have nowhere to put them.
BTW, I have Renault Zoe and I used to have Fiat Grande Punto for 7 years. Punto was huge on the inside, a lot of legroom in the back. While the Zoe has the same footprint, 4m long car, and same width, Zoe is a bit cramped in the back. Boot is a lot bigger, but it seems like a numbers game, where it can brag it 'has biggest in class' boot. Now I miss my Punto. Do not get me wring, it was 1.2 8V, it was dog to drive, but more practical car.
As someone who doesn't have kids, I'm all for bigger boots and no leg room in the back :)
Looks like Jack could use a little waxing on that runaway chest hair poking out the shirt top ;).
Great review as always - watched, even though I will never see one in person in NA
a bit too small for me. 15% bigger would be ideal. it would then still be 40cm shorter than a golf, but with an EV you don't need a long hood. you can save 20cm in length. 4m long would be ok for me.
what renault/alpine did, is giving it character/personality. in the world of cars now a rare thing. give me an R5 XL 🙂
A sexy back, what are you doing to me Jack!? At least broadcast after midnight on pay per view 🤭😂🤣
Small cars need to have sliding rear seats, so you have an option on rear space allocation.. My Son's Yaris let you do this decades ago. It seems so obvious but not to Renault obviously.
This easily solved problem will make this car a non-starter for many people.
Any idea of the max V? Asking for a friend living in Germany... 😎
This is such a cool car, perfect for middle class teenagers
What happens if you've got it floored, and then hit the push-to-pass ?
It's very beautiful and neat looking, but it is wayyyy too expensive unfortunately
Wouldn't recommend an oral accompaniment when driving
Price? Range?
I want this car 🚗
Bespoke.
Alpine 290 or MINI JCW?
The 500e Abarth better show some improvement, perhaps rear wheel drive only.
❤
Range ? Cost ? Will I ever see it in the backwards USA ?
So after a very easy google, officiall range of 236miles
cost depends on where you live, no clue for US I didnt look, but UK £33k-£39k
Was hoping this would be four wheel drive. Front wheel drive electric cars are attrociously bad in proper snowy winter conditions. Sadly almost all four wheel drive EV's are way too large to be a proper electric runabout.