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Renault R5 vs Alpine A290 comparison

Compare performance (540 HP vs 218 HP), boot space and price (23,900 £ vs 33,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Renault R5 or Alpine A290?

Renault R5 vs Alpine A290: Key differences

Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • markedly cheaper
  • significantly more power
  • marginally more efficient
  • marginally more electric range
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • only slightly lighter

Alpine A290

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

R5

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.

A290

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.

R5

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.

Frequently compared as well

Renault R5
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Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

R5

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Renault R5 is markedly cheaper – starting at 23,900 £ , while the Alpine A290 costs 33,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 9,257 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the Renault R5 is marginally more efficient: consuming 14.8 kWh/100km compared to 15.8 kWh/100km for the Alpine A290. That’s a difference of about 1 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the Renault R5 offers marginally more range – reaching up to 405 km, about 25 km more than the Alpine A290.

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 offers significantly more power – delivering 540 HP compared to 218 HP. That’s roughly 322 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Renault R5 is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Alpine A290 takes 6.4 s. That’s about 2.9 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Renault R5 is noticeably faster – 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: the Renault R5 delivers considerably more torque with 4,800 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 4,500 Nm more.

R5

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Renault R5 is only slightly lighter – 1,447 kg compared to 1,554 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 1,106 L.

When it comes to payload, the Renault R5 carries very slightly more – 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.

from £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/100km
  • Electric Range : 307 - 405 km
details
Renault R5
Alpine A290

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Renault R5

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
D9BB3E56-4B0D-4E48-A734-11A1714B92A5
79A3C149-BC71-4BE3-A149-986DD84D251C
DDEACB99-545B-4C72-B12C-AB35E7B77365

Reviews Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
Walter
4 Nov 2025, 21:42:46

Practical, nimble, and fun to drive. For rather small drivers up to 1.75 m there's plenty of space even on the back seat. Useful driver-assist systems, and Android Auto works well. Very economical in summer. In winter a lot of energy is used in the first five minutes to bring the battery up to 20°C, which makes consumption on short winter trips very high.

Alpine A290

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.

details
alpinea290

Reviews Alpine A290

5 (1 Reviews)
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No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Alpine A290

Costs and Consumption
Price
23,900 - 137,100 £
Price
33,200 - 39,600 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
14.8 - 15.2 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.8 - 16.5 kWh/100km
Electric Range
307 - 405 km
Electric Range
364 - 380 km
Battery Capacity
40 - 52 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2 - 5
Seats
5
Doors
3 - 5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,447 - 1,524 kg
Curb weight
1,554 kg
Trunk capacity
326 L
Trunk capacity
326 L
Length
3,922 - 4,080 mm
Length
3,990 mm
Width
1,744 - 2,030 mm
Width
1,820 mm
Height
1,380 - 1,498 mm
Height
1,520 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,106 L
Max trunk capacity
1,106 L
Payload
396 - 418 kg
Payload
396 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, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
122 - 540 HP
Power HP
177 - 218 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.4 - 7.4 s
Max Speed
150 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
160 - 170 km/h
Torque
225 - 4,800 Nm
Torque
285 - 300 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
90 - 397 kW
Power kW
130 - 160 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
-

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,027
Model Year
2,024
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Renault
Brand
Alpine
What drivetrain options does the Renault R5 have?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or Rear-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.