Alpine A290 vs Renault 5 E-Tech
Discussion
I test drove the Alpine A290 and Renault 5 E-Tech back to back recently with my wife, I had booked just for the Alpine though as I was waiting I had a good look at the Renault too.
I have to say for us, the Renault was a nicer place to be, brighter interior and paint options, more leg space (as the A290 has a larger centre console in the way) plus we found the seats comfier - I normally prefer leather too but the shape just didn't suit either of us.
The extra power of the 220hp Alpine was nice, but having come from turbo Jap motors no wow factor, also noticeable torque steer when using (electric) boost and changing lanes at the same time, unsurprisingly not a problem in the 150hp Renault. The handling of the Alpine otherwise felt perfectly planted and responsive, but it's not as if the Renault was bad, it was still significantly nippier and more fun than our Mercedes C220 at urban speeds and cruised at 70mph fine.
Maybe the 180hp Alpine is more appropriate power level for the chassis but I can't imagine the performance is leagues ahead of the 150hp Renault so are you just paying more to be less comfortable? Does not compute.
My ego wants the Alpine, I like the ethos, it's not even much more costly than the Renault once loaded with similar options but I just came away liking the Renault more. It's annoying, if I'd found the Alpine just as comfy I would have one on order now (even though I also prefer the styling of the Renault...) but comfort was a show stopper. Maybe they'll come out with a 4wd 300hp version I'll not be able to pass!
Anyway I've booked another test drive in a Renault as they are available at dealers closer to me and if I still like it I'm going to buy one.
I have to say for us, the Renault was a nicer place to be, brighter interior and paint options, more leg space (as the A290 has a larger centre console in the way) plus we found the seats comfier - I normally prefer leather too but the shape just didn't suit either of us.
The extra power of the 220hp Alpine was nice, but having come from turbo Jap motors no wow factor, also noticeable torque steer when using (electric) boost and changing lanes at the same time, unsurprisingly not a problem in the 150hp Renault. The handling of the Alpine otherwise felt perfectly planted and responsive, but it's not as if the Renault was bad, it was still significantly nippier and more fun than our Mercedes C220 at urban speeds and cruised at 70mph fine.
Maybe the 180hp Alpine is more appropriate power level for the chassis but I can't imagine the performance is leagues ahead of the 150hp Renault so are you just paying more to be less comfortable? Does not compute.
My ego wants the Alpine, I like the ethos, it's not even much more costly than the Renault once loaded with similar options but I just came away liking the Renault more. It's annoying, if I'd found the Alpine just as comfy I would have one on order now (even though I also prefer the styling of the Renault...) but comfort was a show stopper. Maybe they'll come out with a 4wd 300hp version I'll not be able to pass!
Anyway I've booked another test drive in a Renault as they are available at dealers closer to me and if I still like it I'm going to buy one.
Quite a timely post.
Recently, I cancelled my longstanding R5 Techno order (interest first expressed in November last year, then R Pass order placed in February, car to be delivered end of April) in preference for an A290 GT Performance. Whilst the R5 is doubtless a great car and a real gamechanger in the sector, I wanted and indeed found the Alpine to be a far more special car - the overall look, the additional HP, the interior (much prefer the cloth plus leather trim version as opposed to the full nappa of the GTS, which seems out of place), the sublime handling. We had no issue with comfort of the seats - supportive without being too sporty, but then neither of us are powerfully built.
I just like it so much more - though in Pop Green would have been even nicer.
I very much agree that the A290 will be traded-in as soon as the dual motor car arrives, as it no doubt will.
Recently, I cancelled my longstanding R5 Techno order (interest first expressed in November last year, then R Pass order placed in February, car to be delivered end of April) in preference for an A290 GT Performance. Whilst the R5 is doubtless a great car and a real gamechanger in the sector, I wanted and indeed found the Alpine to be a far more special car - the overall look, the additional HP, the interior (much prefer the cloth plus leather trim version as opposed to the full nappa of the GTS, which seems out of place), the sublime handling. We had no issue with comfort of the seats - supportive without being too sporty, but then neither of us are powerfully built.
I just like it so much more - though in Pop Green would have been even nicer.
I very much agree that the A290 will be traded-in as soon as the dual motor car arrives, as it no doubt will.
Edited by Skyman on Tuesday 6th May 18:16
Reading with interest - am increasingly in the market for one of these, and find the base R5 hugely appealing. Were I not so invested in the Alpine brand I'd probably leave it at that, but it sounds very much like a back to back would help me see for myself.
I prefer the 5 visually, and don't really need what will be a daily to do "Alpine" things necessarily, yet I'm intrigued as to what the motor/chassis/tyre/brake uplifts offer over the core offering - for the way I'm likely to use it. Both are likely to be much more chuckable than an i3, and comparably swift. The carried-over calipers would suggest similar entitlement to the (superb) A110 brake pedal feel; then again, I think the 5/a290 feature a decoupled brake system so it's far from guaranteed, plus the amount of one-pedal driving I do in EVs probably makes it a moot point anyway.
I expect monthlies and colour will swing things in the 5's favour, much as I love those square wheels. Best make sure, though
I prefer the 5 visually, and don't really need what will be a daily to do "Alpine" things necessarily, yet I'm intrigued as to what the motor/chassis/tyre/brake uplifts offer over the core offering - for the way I'm likely to use it. Both are likely to be much more chuckable than an i3, and comparably swift. The carried-over calipers would suggest similar entitlement to the (superb) A110 brake pedal feel; then again, I think the 5/a290 feature a decoupled brake system so it's far from guaranteed, plus the amount of one-pedal driving I do in EVs probably makes it a moot point anyway.
I expect monthlies and colour will swing things in the 5's favour, much as I love those square wheels. Best make sure, though
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