Alpine's first electric car, built on Renault's AmpR Small platform shared with the Renault 5 E-Tech. Positioned as a sporty, premium EV hot hatch with distinctive retro styling, playful handling, and a well-tuned suspension that balances comfort and agility. The 180 hp (130 kW) variant is the entry-level motor option, paired with a 52 kWh battery offering roughly 300-380 km WLTP range. Production started in late 2024 at the Douai factory in France.· more· less
Very low routine maintenanceEngaging handling and ride balance
Early production teething issuesSignificant winter range loss
Buy if: You want a fun electric hatch with premium touches and can live with 200-250 km real-world winter range.
Avoid if: You regularly drive more than 250 km without charging stops or need a car from a brand with a long EV reliability track record.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€38,600
median asking price, typically 5,000 km
Typical range€36,100 – €41,000
Maintenance cost
€550 – €1,100/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€350 – €600 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€200 – €500 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€38,600
Typically €36,100 – €41,000, at around 5,000 km.
Maintenance
€550 – €1,100per year
€350 – €600
service, tyres, brakes
€200 – €500
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€39,100
median asking price, typically 10,000 km
Typical range€36,800 – €39,800
Maintenance cost
€550 – €1,100/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€350 – €600 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€200 – €500 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Inverter defect on cars built Sep-Dec 2024 can prevent the car from starting · more· less
15,722 Renault 5 and Alpine A290 vehicles assembled at Douai between 1 September and 23 December 2024 were affected by a potential inverter defect. The inverter converts battery DC power to AC for the motor, and a faulty unit can cause complete failure to start. Renault classified this as a special technical operation (not an official recall) and offered free inspection and repair at dealers. If purchasing a used A290 from this production window, verify the inverter check has been completed. Out-of-warranty inverter replacement on comparable EVs typically runs €1,500-4,000 including labor.
Battery cell delamination (limited production run)
up to €12,0002 of 6
Supplier defect in cells from Dec 2025 - Jan 2026 can cause internal short circuit · more· less
A March 2026 recall (reference 0F49) affects Renault 5 units produced between 12 December 2025 and 28 January 2026 due to a battery cell manufacturing anomaly. Anode delamination can damage the current collector and separator, potentially causing an internal short circuit leading to loss of range, inability to recharge, or in extreme cases thermal runaway. The recall documentation specifically names the Renault 5 E-Tech; whether Alpine A290 units from this window are also affected should be verified with the dealer using the VIN. The battery is covered by the 8-year / 160,000 km warranty.
Leather seat premature indentation
up to €1,2003 of 6
Driver's seat leather develops permanent body-shaped indents within the first few thousand km · more· less
Multiple owners on PistonHeads have reported the driver's seat leather forming permanent indentations that do not recover, sometimes appearing as early as 2,000 miles. Alpine has acknowledged awareness of the problem among a significant number of owners and is sourcing replacement leather from a new supplier. Affected owners can have the issue documented at a service centre, and replacement materials (leather and/or seat base) will be fitted at no cost once available. This is covered under warranty. On a used car outside warranty, seat retrimming typically costs €400-800 at an independent upholsterer, or €800-1,200 through Alpine.
Software and OTA update failures
up to €3004 of 6
OTA updates occasionally fail mid-installation, and the My Alpine app has recurring connectivity bugs · more· less
Owners on both PistonHeads and the dedicated R5 E-Tech forum report OTA updates that download successfully but fail during installation, sometimes requiring a dealer visit to reflash modules manually. The My Alpine / My Renault app has experienced login loop bugs (particularly on Android), intermittent inability to view trip data, and incorrect charging status displays. The infotainment system (OpenR Link) can occasionally lose radio audio output, sometimes fixable by triggering the voice assistant. These are annoyances rather than costly repairs, but a dealer software reflash typically costs €50-150 if outside warranty, and occasional visits add up.
Charging communication failures
up to €2005 of 6
Scheduled and smart charging sessions sometimes fail to start due to car-charger communication issues · more· less
Some owners report the A290 failing to wake up when a smart charger (particularly Octopus Intelligent Go setups) commands it to start charging. The car enters a deep sleep state and the charger concludes it is disconnected. This appears to be a software timing issue rather than a hardware fault. Renault has acknowledged the problem and worked with charger manufacturers on fixes. Standard plug-in charging without smart scheduling is generally unaffected. This may resolve through future OTA updates, but in the meantime workarounds include disabling the car's internal charge scheduler and using only the wall box timer.
Driveshaft surface corrosion
up to €2006 of 6
Exposed driveshaft metal develops visible surface rust within weeks of delivery · more· less
Some early A290 and Renault 5 owners have reported visible surface rust on the driveshafts within weeks of taking delivery. This is cosmetic surface oxidation on uncoated steel, which is common on many new cars and does not typically affect structural integrity or function. Owners have applied aftermarket underbody coatings (such as Lanogard) as a preventive measure. If the corrosion progresses to affect CV joint boots or bearing surfaces, replacement costs would be higher, but no such progression has been reported so far.
New model with typical first-year teething issues
The Alpine A290 is mechanically simple as an EV: no engine, gearbox, exhaust, or turbo to fail. The AmpR Small platform is brand new, and early production has seen the usual software glitches, a targeted inverter service campaign, and some build quality inconsistencies with the seat leather. Most issues discovered so far are software-related or have been addressed under warranty. Long-term reliability data does not yet exist since the oldest cars are barely a year old. The 8-year battery warranty provides substantial coverage for the most expensive component.
Service history
Verify all scheduled services have been completed at an Alpine or Renault dealer. Check the digital service record via the dealer.
Tires
Check tread depth and age of the 19-inch tires. The A290 wears fronts faster due to front-wheel drive and regenerative braking torque.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes covering both city streets and faster roads. Check for unusual noises, steering pull, and verify regenerative braking works smoothly.
12V battery health
Check that all electronics power on quickly and without hesitation. A sluggish start-up or flickering dashboard can indicate a weak 12V battery.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify inverter service campaign completed
Cars built Sep-Dec 2024 were subject to an inverter inspection. Ask the seller for documentation or check with an Alpine dealer using the VIN.
Check driver's seat for leather indentation
Sit in the driver's seat and inspect the bolster and cushion for permanent body-shaped indents. Alpine is replacing affected seats under warranty.
Test charging with your home charger setup
If possible, test a charging session before purchase. Smart charging setups (Octopus, etc.) have known communication issues with this car.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Check software version and update status
Ask the dealer or seller which software version is installed. Early cars may have outdated infotainment and vehicle controller firmware.
Inspect for wind noise at motorway speed
Drive above 100 km/h and listen for wind noise around the upper door seals, a known characteristic shared with the Renault 5.
Verify battery recall status (Dec 2025 - Jan 2026 production)
Cars from this production window may be affected by a battery cell recall. Check with Alpine using the VIN to confirm whether your car is affected and if the work has been done.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Inverter defect - vehicles built Sep-Dec 2024 at Douai (15,722 R5/A290 units)Verify completed
Battery cell delamination risk - units produced Dec 2025 - Jan 2026 (recall ref. 0F49)Verify if applicable
Seat leather quality - goodwill replacement program for premature indentationVerify if applicable
Contact Alpine or Renault with the VIN to verify all service campaigns and recalls have been completed. The inverter campaign is particularly important for cars built in late 2024.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years)First 2 years unlimited km, 3rd year up to 100,000 km
Battery warranty (8 years / 160,000 km)Covers battery degradation below 70% state of health
Extended warrantyAvailable for 1-4 additional years through Alpine dealers
The A290 is still very new, so most used examples will still be within the 3-year factory warranty. Verify remaining warranty coverage with the VIN before purchase. The 8-year battery warranty transfers to subsequent owners.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
