Compare the Alpine A290 vs Volkswagen Golf

Tight in the back, but brilliant to drive
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10
Not the most exciting, but a brilliant all-rounder
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10

AI generated from our expert reviews

The longer Volkswagen Golf is the more accommodating choice for passengers, with plenty of room in the back including decent knee room and headroom for six-footers. By contrast, space in the rear of the Alpine A290 is quite limited, meaning you will struggle to fit one six-footer behind another. Up front, the Alpine makes life simpler on the move with physical switches for the climate controls that are easy to adjust, whereas the Golf relies on haptic sliders that are irritating to use while driving. Once up to speed on the motorway, both cars settle down well, keeping wind and road noise to a minimum.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

Compare the specs

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GT 130kW 52kWh Auto Electric Automatic

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Life 1.5 TSI Petrol Manual

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Standard kit

  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Heated seats
    Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.

Key information

Body type Hatchbacks Body type Hatchbacks
Available fuel types Electric Available fuel types Petrol
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 326 litres (2 suitcases) Boot space, seats up 381 litres (3 suitcases) Best
External dimensions (L x W x H) 3,997 mm x 1,823 mm x 1,512 mm External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,284 mm x 1,789 mm x 1,491 mm
Towing capacity — Towing capacity 1,300 kg
First year tax rate £10 Best First year tax rate £455
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
3.7 miles / kWh
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
—
Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
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Fuel economy
This measures how much fuel a car uses, according to official tests. It's measured in miles per gallon (MPG) and a higher number means the car is more fuel efficient.
53.3 mpg
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
224 miles
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
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Battery size 52 kWh Battery size —
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 27 · average
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 17 · good Best
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Drivetrain & power

Engine name 130kW 52kWh Auto Engine name 1.5 TSI
Engine size Electric • 177 BHP Engine size 1.5 L Petrol • 115 BHP
Body type Hatchbacks Body type Hatchbacks
Fuel type Electric Fuel type Petrol
Transmission Automatic Transmission Manual
Drive type Front wheel drive Drive type Front wheel drive
Forward gears 1 Forward gears 6
Acceleration 7.4 s (0-60 mph) Best Acceleration 9.9 s (0-60 mph)
Battery size 52 kWh Battery size —
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
224 miles
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
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Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 5
Boot (seats up) 326 litres Boot (seats up) 381 litres Best
Length 3,997 mm Length 4,284 mm
Width 1,823 mm Width 1,789 mm
Height 1,512 mm Height 1,491 mm
Wheelbase 2.53 m Wheelbase 2.63 m
Turning circle 10.2 m Turning circle 11.1 m

Full features list

  • 19" alloy wheels - Snowflake diamond cut
  • 19" alloy wheels - Snowflake semi diamond cut
  • Additional Metallic paint
  • Alpine and Devialet sound system with 9 speakers incl. subwoofer
  • Alpine emblem on the front fenders
  • Alpine telemetrics premium (live data, coaching, challenges)
  • Anodized blue matte roof rod
  • Blue alpine brake calipers
  • Blue wheel centers with Alpine logo
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Matte paint
  • Pearlescent paint
  • Red brake calipers
  • Textile - deep blue coating with embroided Alpine logo on seats and French flag on the dashboard
  • Two Tone Metallic paint
  • Two tone matte paint
  • Two tone pearlescent paint
  • Without model and version names on the tailgate
  • 12V power point front
  • 3 seat rear bench
  • Ambient lighting customizable in 4 zones
  • Automatic air conditioning
  • Black steering wheel center with Alpine logo
  • Centre console with storage and armrest
  • Fabric upholstery
  • Floor mats
  • Front and rear LED interior lighting
  • Front head restraints
  • Heat pump
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat fittings in outer rear and front passenger seats
  • Manual adjustable front seats with height adjustment and electric lumbar adjustment on driver side
  • Nappa leather sports steering wheel with flat and midpoint
  • Rear head restraints
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Sports seats
  • Central door locking
  • Locking wheel bolts
  • 3 rear seatbelts
  • Alarm pre-wiring
  • Automatic urban and interurban emergency braking (with detection of cars, pedestrians, 2 wheels) and at intersections
  • Child locks
  • Driver and passenger airbags
  • Driver, passenger and curtain side airbags
  • ESC with ABS
  • ESP (Electronic Stability Program) + Hill Start Assist
  • Electric parking brake with auto hold function
  • Emergency brake assist
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Grey brake calipers
  • Pedestrian warning
  • Safe Distance Warning
  • Safety kit
  • Seat belt reminder
  • Tyre pressure indicator
  • Vehicle dynamic control
  • 3rd brake light
  • Alpine chrome monograms
  • Aluminum door sills with "alpine" marking
  • Automatic dimming interior mirror
  • Automatic headlights with auto high/low beam
  • Automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor
  • Electrically adjustable and manually folding mirrors with defrost function
  • Front and rear power windows - impulse
  • Front bumper, side skirts and diffusor
  • Full LED headlights
  • Glossy black skirt line
  • Hyper satin roof rod
  • LED daytime running lights with four-cross signature
  • Manual interior rearview mirror
  • Metallic paint
  • Model and version names on the tailgate
  • Privacy glass
  • Rear roof spoiler
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear wiper
  • Shark fin antenna
  • 19" alloy wheels - Iconic glossy black diamond cut
  • Black wheel centers with Alpine logo
  • Michelin Sport EV tyres
  • Tyre puncture repair kit
  • Active lane keeping assist
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless)
  • Drive mode selector
  • Driver attention monitoring camera
  • Front, rear and side parking assistance
  • GAS - google automotive services (maps, assistant, store)
  • I-key with hands free keyless entry and start
  • Intelligent adaptive cruise control
  • Power assist steering
  • Rear camera
  • Reverse pedestrian warning
  • TFT 10.3'' full digital interface
  • Traffic sign recognition with overspeed alert
  • Wireless smartphone charging
  • eCall emergency call system
  • 11KW onboard charger
  • Alpine sport chassis with hydraulic bump stops
  • Function V2G (Vehicle to grid) - mobilize power solution
  • Function V2L (Vehicle to load) - mobilize power to object
  • Type 2 charging cable
  • 2 front USB-C ports
  • Arkamys auditorium audio system with 6 speakers
  • Connected multimedia system Alpine Portal 10.1"
  • 17" Nottingham alloy wheels
  • Art Velours pack - Soul Black
  • Folding trailer hitch with electric release
  • Harman/Kardon sound system including 12 channel digital amplifier, 480 watt output and 9 speakers plus subwoofer
  • Head up Display
  • LED performance headlight with LED plus headlamps, cornering light and poor weather light, Exterior ambient lighting variant 3
  • Maze cloth - Soul black
  • Metallic paint
  • Park assist with park distance control
  • Premium metallic paint
  • Premium pearlescent paint
  • Rear tinted glass 65% light absorbing from B pillar backwards
  • Space and weight saving spare wheel incl tool kit and jack
  • Special solid paint
  • Sports suspension - Shock absorption in front, Front stabilizer bar and rear stabilizer bar
  • Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with 2X front and 2X rear LED reading lights
  • 3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • 3 rear three point seatbelts
  • Anti-lock brake system
  • Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Curtain and side airbags in front with centre airbag
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
  • Electronic parking brake with auto hold
  • Extended pedestrian protection measures
  • Front disc brakes
  • Proactive passenger protection system
  • Rear disc brakes
  • Two tone horn
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • Volkswagen roadside assistance
  • Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened
  • 10 colour interior ambient lighting
  • 12V socket in front centre console
  • 12V socket in luggage compartment
  • 2 LED reading lights in front and rear
  • 3 rear head restraints
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • Air care climatronic air conditioning system
  • Chrome plated radiator grille inserts, air vent surrounds and light switch surrounds
  • Door and side trim panel
  • Front + rear black carpet mats
  • Front centre armrest
  • Front comfort seats
  • Front head restraints
  • Front seat lumbar support adjuster
  • ISOFIX anchors for child seats on outer rear bench seats and on front passanger seat compatible for i-Size
  • Leather gearshift handle
  • Leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel
  • Luggage compartment lighting
  • Manual height adjustable front passenger seat
  • Manually height adjustable driver seat
  • Maze cloth upholstery
  • Rear cupholder and loadthough
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Soul black instrument panel
  • Split folding backrest with centre armrest and unsplit rear seat bench
  • Standard pedal cluster
  • Storm grey roof lining
  • Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • 3rd brake light
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Automatic headlamp activation with Coming home and Leaving home feature
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour door mirrors
  • Dynamic headlight range control
  • Exterior ambient lighting with illuminated door handles
  • Exterior mirrors convex on the left and aspherical on the right
  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Heat insulating glass in side and rear windows
  • Heat insulating windshield made of laminated glass
  • High beam assist with automatic sensing for switching between dipped and main beam
  • LED Headlights
  • LED rear combination lights
  • LED separate daytime running light
  • Rain sensor
  • Rear exhaust tailpipe
  • Rear fog light on one side and reversing lights on both sides
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay
  • Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror
  • Solid paint
  • Standard bumpers
  • Welcome light with surround lighting
  • Activated carbon canister
  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
  • Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor
  • Dynamic road sign display
  • E-Sim card for online connectivity
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Lane keeping system Lane Assist
  • Multi-color Digital cockpit pro, selection of different info profile possible
  • Multifunction front facing camera for distance control
  • Navigation system
  • Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support
  • Power assisted speed sensitive steering
  • Rear view camera
  • Speed limiter
  • Speedo, rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display, exterior temperature and fuel gauge
  • Voice enhancer and voice control
  • We connect plus preparation
  • We connect preparation
  • Wireless app connect
  • eCall emergency call system
  • Petrol Particulate Filter
  • Start-stop system with battery regeneration (recuperation - energy recovery during braking)
  • XDS electronic differential lock for improved traction and handling
  • Alarm with interior protection
  • Anti theft wheel bolts
  • Keyless start with SAFE lock
  • Preparation for alcohol interlock
  • 2 USB C ports in front, 2 USB charging sockets on the centre console in the rear charging capacity upto 45W
  • 6 Speakers - 4 in front and 2 in rear with central speaker
  • Digital radio reception (DAB)
  • Diversity antenna for FM reception
  • Gaming platform via car app
  • Infotainment system with 12.9" display
  • Mobile phone interface with inductive charging feature
  • Nature cross brushed decorative inserts for dashboard and front door panels
  • 16" Norfolk alloy wheels
  • Tool kit for tyre mobility set
  • Tyre mobility kit Includes 12V compressor and tyre sealant

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.