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Alpine A290 vs Renault R5 - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (218 HP vs 540 HP), boot space and price (33200 £ vs 23900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Alpine A290 or Renault R5?

A290

First Glance, First Smile

The visual conversation starts playful with both cars but takes different tones: the Alpine A290 dresses sportier and more aggressive, while the Renault R5 trades cheeky retro cues for broad, approachable charm. Each makes a clear statement about its owner — one nods to driving passion, the other to lifestyle and personality. Either way, they draw attention for different reasons and put style high on the shopping checklist.

R5

What It Feels Like to Drive

On the move the characters diverge sharply: the Alpine A290 feels taut and eager, rewarding inputs with a sense of connection that will please enthusiasts who want feedback from every turn. The Renault R5, by contrast, prioritises calm confidence and composure, offering a more relaxed and predictable demeanour that suits everyday motoring. Both are like good performers — one thrives under a spotlight, the other excels in steady, reliable shifts of tempo.

City Savvy and Country Roads

In tight urban environments the two approach convenience differently: the Renault R5 leans into ease of use and relaxed manners that make daily errands less stressful, while the Alpine A290 rewards routes with rhythm and corners with a planted, fun-to-steer persona. On A-to-B runs the R5’s easygoing nature is a tangible advantage, whereas longer, winding stretches reveal the Alpine’s sporting instincts. Choose the one whose roadmap matches your calendar — traffic or twisties.

Practicalities That Actually Matter

Practical day-to-day usability isn’t an afterthought for either car, but their emphases differ: the Renault R5 feels like the more rounded, versatile companion for family routine and weekend logistics, while the Alpine A290 makes compromises in favour of driving engagement. Interior packaging, load flexibility and simple ergonomics matter more than headlines, and here the R5 leans into sensible packaging that rewards daily life. If utility is top of the list, the packaging choices quickly become a deciding factor.

Cabin Ambience and Usability

Step inside and the tone continues — the Alpine A290 wraps you in a driver-focused layout with firmer surfaces and sportier posture, while the Renault R5 offers a friendlier, more relaxed cabin that emphasises comfort and approachable controls. Infotainment and switchgear feel modern in both, but the R5 prioritises user-friendliness where quick interactions matter most. For buyers who value daily comfort and less fiddly tech, it’s a subtle but persuasive edge.

Who Should Park One in Their Drive?

If you’re a driver who craves an engaged, compact sports experience and enjoy putting the car through its paces, the Alpine A290 will speak your language; if you’re after a stylish, practical companion that treats everyday life with kindness, the Renault R5 makes a compelling case. Both have clear personalities and target different kinds of happiness behind the wheel, so your priorities will tell you which fits. Keep reading — the DriveDuel Champion will be revealed afterwards.

Alpine A290

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Renault R5 has a noticeable advantage in terms of price – it starts at 23900 £ , while the Alpine A290 costs 33200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 9257 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the advantage goes to the Renault R5: with 14.80 kWh per 100 km, it’s hardly perceptible more efficient than the Alpine A290 with 15.80 kWh. That’s a difference of about 1 kWh.

As for electric range, the Renault R5 performs slight better – achieving up to 405 km, about 25 km more than the Alpine A290.

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Renault R5 has a decisively edge – offering 540 HP compared to 218 HP. That’s roughly 322 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Renault R5 is decisively quicker – completing the sprint in 3.50 s, while the Alpine A290 takes 6.40 s. That’s about 2.90 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Renault R5 performs evident better – reaching 270 km/h, while the Alpine A290 tops out at 170 km/h. The difference is around 100 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Renault R5 pulls convincingly stronger with 4800 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 4500 Nm difference.

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, Renault R5 is minimal lighter – 1447 kg compared to 1554 kg. The difference is around 107 kg.

Boot capacity is identical – both offer 326 L of storage.

Maximum load volume is the same – both hold up to 1106 L.

When it comes to payload, Renault R5 hardly perceptible takes the win – 418 kg compared to 396 kg. That’s a difference of about 22 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Renault R5 is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

Alpine A290
Renault R5

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis
from about £23,900
R5

Renault R5

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 122 - 540 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.8 - 15.2 kWh
  • Electric Range : 307 - 405 km

Alpine A290

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

The Alpine A290 brings Alpine's racing-bred spirit to the road with taut handling, razor-sharp steering and a compact, cheeky silhouette that's impossible to ignore. It's a car for drivers who want pure fun rather than family practicality — a playful, stylish pocket rocket that makes every back road feel like a racetrack and hands out smiles with the key.

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Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

The Renault 5 is a cheeky city car that marries retro charm with modern flair, its playful looks promising smiles before you even start the engine. Practical enough for daily life yet lively enough to make short trips feel like mini adventures, it’s an irresistible choice for buyers who prefer personality to bland practicality.

details
Alpine A290
Renault R5

Costs and Consumption

Price
33200 - 39600 £
Price
23900 - 137100 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
15.8 - 16.5 kWh
Consumption kWh/100km
14.8 - 15.2 kWh
Electric Range
364 - 380 km
Electric Range
307 - 405 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
40 - 52 kWh
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
2 - 5
Doors
5
Doors
3 - 5
Curb weight
1554 kg
Curb weight
1447 - 1524 kg
Trunk capacity
326 L
Trunk capacity
326 L
Length
3990 mm
Length
3922 - 4080 mm
Width
1820 mm
Width
1744 - 2030 mm
Height
1520 mm
Height
1380 - 1498 mm
Max trunk capacity
1106 L
Max trunk capacity
1106 L
Payload
396 kg
Payload
396 - 418 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
177 - 218 HP
Power HP
122 - 540 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.4 - 7.4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 9 s
Max Speed
160 - 170 km/h
Max Speed
150 - 270 km/h
Torque
285 - 300 Nm
Torque
225 - 4800 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
130 - 160 kW
Power kW
90 - 397 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2024
Model Year
2025 - 2027
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Alpine
Brand
Renault
Is the Alpine A290 offered with different drivetrains?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.