IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2024 Alpine A290

The Alpine A290 launched in the UK in late 2024 on the AmpR Small platform. Available in 178bhp GT and 217bhp GTS guises, it features a 52kWh battery, 100kW DC rapid charging, bespoke multi-link rear suspension with hydraulic bump stops, 4-piston Brembo front brakes, and Google-based OpenR Link infotainment.

What changed for 2024

  • •Commercial launch of Alpine's first production battery-electric hot hatch
  • •AmpR Small architecture with 60mm wider track and bespoke multi-link rear axle
  • •Debut of steering-wheel-mounted Overtake boost button and regenerative braking rotary control

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Uneven inner shoulder tyre wear across front axle from instant torque delivery
  • !Surface oxidation and scoring on rear brake discs from regenerative braking underuse
  • !Low front splitter and underbody aerodynamic deflector abrasion
3
Known Issues
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Serious
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Moderate
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Minor

All Known Issues

Rapid Front Inner Shoulder Tyre Wear from Instant Electric Torque

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The Alpine A290 delivers up to 221lb ft of instantaneous torque directly through its front wheels. On higher-output GT Performance and GTS models, spirited driving and brisk acceleration on abrasive UK tarmac accelerate tyre wear across the inner shoulders of the bespoke 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport EV and Pilot Sport S5 tyres. Aggressive factory negative camber designed for sharp turn-in causes uneven wear, leading to steering wander under full acceleration if tyre pressures and alignment are not strictly maintained.

Est. Repair Cost: £380–£520 (Pair of replacement bespoke 19-inch tyres plus 4-wheel alignment)
Warning Signs:

Premature tread thinning across inner edges of front Michelin tyres relative to outer tread, Steering wander or slight torque pull during hard acceleration on uneven or wet B-roads, Elevated tyre rumble and road noise transmitted into the cabin at motorway speeds

What to Inspect:
  • Measure tread depth across all grooves of both front tyres with special focus on inside shoulders
  • Inspect diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels for curb rash or rim deformation
  • Verify that the car tracks straight and true under hard straight-line acceleration without pulling
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

OpenR Link Android Automotive Infotainment Screen Freezing

MinorElectrics & Electronics

The Alpine A290 features a 10.1-inch OpenR Link infotainment touchscreen powered by Google Android Automotive OS. Early UK road tests and owners report periodic software crashes, navigation freezing during boot-up, and intermittent connection dropouts with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In severe cases, the digital driver's instrument display fails to initialise upon startup, requiring a complete vehicle sleep cycle or franchised Alpine Centre software reload to restore gauge operation.

Est. Repair Cost: £0–£200 (Software reload under warranty)
Warning Signs:

Central touchscreen unresponsive or stuck on Alpine startup animation, Intermittent wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto projection dropouts, Blank digital instrument cluster upon vehicle power-up requiring system reboot

What to Inspect:
  • Power cycle vehicle and test touchscreen responsiveness across multiple menus immediately upon boot
  • Verify that wireless smartphone mirroring connects automatically and maintains audio streaming without glitching
  • Confirm dealer service records show the latest OpenR Link operating system firmware update
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Cold-Weather Battery Efficiency Loss and Smart Tariff Scheduling Failures

MinorElectrics & Electronics

Equipped with a 52kWh lithium-ion battery, the Alpine A290 claims up to 236 miles of WLTP range. However, during British winter driving conditions (sub-5°C), real-world range drops by 25% to 35% due to heightened battery internal resistance and cabin PTC heating draw. Additionally, early owners experience intermittent synchronization dropouts between the My Alpine telematics system and UK off-peak dynamic smart tariffs, resulting in incomplete overnight home charging sessions.

Est. Repair Cost: £0–£250 (Telematics software update / app configuration)
Warning Signs:

Real-world winter driving range dropping below 160 miles on mixed motorway routes, High auxiliary consumption indicated on trip computer from cabin heating, Failure of scheduled overnight home charging to initiate during off-peak electricity windows

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect battery health state-of-charge readouts and verify heat pump operation in climate menu
  • Test scheduled charging menu in the cabin to ensure timer functions engage correctly
  • Verify My Alpine app account synchronises cleanly with vehicle telematics without error warnings
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2024 Alpine A290

  • Ensure all dealer-installed firmware and telematics updates are verified on the Alpine digital system
  • Confirm the presence of both the 3-pin domestic and 32A Type 2 Mode 3 charging cables
2025–2026
Check a 2024 Alpine A290 by Registration