2025 Alpine A290 GT electric hot hatch review and performance highlights

The hot hatch segment has long been dominated by household names like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST. But for 2025, a familiar powerhouse from the racing world — Alpine — has turned up the heat with its all-new offering: the Alpine A290 GT. This compact electric hatchback is bold, innovative, and most importantly, built to thrill.

With electric vehicles becoming the dominant force across markets, Alpine isn’t just entering the conversation — it’s redefining it. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore every detail of the A290 GT and what makes it a serious contender for 2025’s Car of the Year.

Design Language: Racing Roots Meets Urban Edge

The Alpine A290 GT brings a fresh visual identity to the hot hatch genre. Designed around Alpine’s performance heritage, the A290 GT takes cues from motorsport but adapts them for everyday usability.

• Low-slung silhouette with bold fender flares gives it an aggressive performance posture.
• Quad LED headlights arranged in the iconic “X” signature — paying homage to Alpine’s rallying lineage.
• Sporty rear diffuser and contrasting color roof highlight its dynamic character.

The A290 GT’s design achieves a rare balance: visually striking without sacrificing the kind of practicality hatchback lovers demand. Whether you’re navigating city streets or ripping through mountain roads, the A290 GT turns heads while remaining grounded in function.

Interior: A Symphony of Simplicity and Sport

Inside, the Alpine A290 GT merges minimalist elegance with motorsport-ready ergonomics.

Driver-Centric Cabin

Alpine’s cockpit-inspired layout champions the driver. Every element, from the steering wheel to paddle shifters, feels properly sorted.

• Racing-style bucket seats hug passengers across dynamic driving sessions.
• Three-screen layout provides customizable instrumentation, infotainment, and advanced vehicle monitoring.
• Aluminum accents and Alcantara upholstery elevate the premium, performance-driven feel.

The A290 GT isn’t just about velocity — it’s about engagement. The infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is user-friendly and fluid, showing Alpine’s attention to modern connectivity demands.

Electric Powertrain: Instant Power, Authentic Emotion

At the heart of the 2025 Alpine A290 GT is its electric powertrain — and it’s no ordinary EV setup.

Performance Specs

Built on Renault’s CMF-B EV platform, shared with the Renault 5, the A290 GT boasts:

• 215 hp (160 kW) electric motor
• 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, delivered instantly
• 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in under 6.5 seconds

These numbers don’t just look good on paper. On the road, Alpine’s engineering ensures the A290 GT delivers real-world exhilaration matched with EV efficiency.

Drive Modes

Drivers can choose between various modes that influence throttle response, steering feel, and torque delivery:

• Comfort Mode: Ideal for city commuting and range optimization.
• Sport Mode: Tighter throttle and weighted steering for spirited driving.
• Track Mode: For maximum responsiveness and reduced electronic intervention.

These selectable modes make the A290 GT a true Jekyll and Hyde — tame when needed, thrilling when desired.

Chassis and Handling: Lightweight, Balanced, and Agile

Where many EVs struggle with weight and ride dynamics, Alpine thrives. The A290 GT maintains Alpine’s obsession with handling precision.

• Fully independent suspension system derived from the A110 sports car
• Advanced weight distribution with battery placement optimized for low center of gravity
• Torque vectoring system improves cornering dynamics significantly

The result? An agile, nimble hot hatch that feels as much at home on twisty backroads as it does on the daily commute. Steering feedback is crisp, body control is tidy, and despite being electric, it still offers a connected, analog-like driving experience — a rare feat in this category.

Battery and Range: Practical Power for Urban Rebels

The A290 GT comes equipped with a 52 kWh battery, offering sufficient energy without adding unnecessary mass. Real-world range figures are promising:

• Estimated WLTP range: 380 kilometers (236 miles)
• DC fast-charging: 20–80% in just 30 minutes
• AC Home Charging: Full charge in approx. 7 hours

With these specs, the A290 GT provides real-life usability, letting you commute Monday through Friday and still have enough energy left for weekend fun.

Technology and Safety Features

In a market where technology leads the conversation, the Alpine A290 GT responds with layered depth.

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking
• Integrated Alpine Drive Controller for on-the-fly power and chassis customization
• 360-degree camera system for effortless parking

These features round off a modern vehicle package, making the A290 GT as safe and intuitive as it is sporty and exciting.

Comparison With Rivals

To place Alpine’s offering in context, it’s essential to compare the A290 GT to competitors in the evolving performance EV hatchback space.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX

• Power: 286 hp
• Range: Approx. 300 miles
• Drive: RWD

While the ID.3 GTX edges out in power and range, it lacks the Alpine’s visceral driving feel and precise handling.

Mini Cooper SE 2025

• Power: 215 hp
• Range: Est. 240 miles
• Drive: FWD

The A290 matches the Mini on performance but offers superior interior space and sharper chassis tuning.

Market Positioning and Price Outlook

The Alpine A290 GT is expected to launch in early 2025 across European markets, with an estimated starting price ranging from €38,000 to €42,000 depending on trim and add-ons. It will be positioned as a premium EV hot hatch, undercutting entry-level luxury EVs while offering far more driving engagement than electric runabouts.

Early interest from dealers and EV tuning firms speaks volumes about the car’s appeal and aftermarket potential.

Why the Alpine A290 GT Matters

The 2025 Alpine A290 GT does more than fill a gap in Alpine’s portfolio. It signals a future where driving pleasure, sustainability, and practicality intersect. Combustion car purists might scoff at the idea of an electric hot hatch, but one drive in the A290 GT will change perspectives.

Its racing roots, wrapped in a chic and functional urban shell, create a package that not only speaks to enthusiasts but also fits seamlessly into modern lifestyles.

Final Thoughts: An Instant Icon for the Electric Age

Alpine has taken bold steps with the A290 GT. What could have been just another cookie-cutter EV has emerged as a holistic performance machine — one that embraces the electric transition without compromising the brand’s DNA.

Drivers looking for a car that stirs the soul while respecting the future should look no further. The A290 GT signifies that passion still has a place in an electrified world, and it drives like a celebration of everything Alpine stands for.

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