Alpine A390 review: can one electric car do the family and fun jobs?

Is the Alpine A390 a convincing family performance EV?

The Alpine A390 offers a credible way to combine five-seat practicality with an interest in performance. Its three-motor layout and active torque vectoring give it a distinct technical identity. The buying decision is whether that matters enough to you to justify its premium over an ordinary family EV.

I do not think every car wearing a sports-car badge needs to have two seats and nowhere to put a coat. There is room for something that fits family life and still feels like a deliberate choice. But the extra money needs to buy more than a story about racing.

The A390 is interesting because Alpine has at least given that argument some engineering substance. The question is how much of it you need for the journeys you actually make.

Should you start with the GT or GTS?

Alpine's UK configurator lists the GT from £61,390. Both versions use three motors and all-wheel drive. The GT's quoted output is 400 HP; the GTS raises that to 470 HP. That is already a substantial amount of performance before anyone opens an options list.

My starting point would be the GT. I would compare seats, wheel sizes, standard equipment and the final quotation before moving upwards. If a higher version gives you equipment you would otherwise add, it can make sense. If the justification is simply a faster acceleration figure, think about how often you will use it.

Why does it have three motors?

There is one motor at the front and a separate motor for each rear wheel. Alpine's active torque-vectoring system varies their contribution. The aim is to help the car respond to a corner rather than merely add straight-line speed.

That is a more interesting proposition than a large power figure on its own. It still needs to translate into something you enjoy at normal speeds. I would want a drive that includes ordinary bends and uneven surfaces, not just a quick demonstration of acceleration. A family car has passengers to satisfy too.

What should you know about range?

The UK brochure lists an 89kWh usable battery and a range of up to 345 miles WLTP, depending on version and configuration. Those are official comparison figures. They do not establish winter motorway range or the distance available after repeated hard acceleration.

I would plan around your regular longer journey, with a reserve and a sensible charging stop. A car can be perfectly manageable without reproducing its brochure maximum. What matters is knowing the likely routine before signing up for it.

Compare the exact version's charging specification as well. Headline maximums across a range can describe different derivatives. The useful comparison is the car on your quotation against the rival you would actually buy.

Does the practical side make sense?

The A390 has five seats, which gives it a very different job from an A110. That does not mean every family will fit equally well. Set the driver's seat correctly and check rear knee room, roof clearance and access with your usual passengers.

I would also test the luggage opening with real bags. A sloping rear profile can look excellent while making some loads awkward. Folded-seat capacity is useful for occasional large items, but the seats-up arrangement matters when everyone is travelling.

Spend some time on the screen and steering-wheel controls. Technology should make a familiar journey easier. If a frequently used function takes several attempts to find in the showroom, do not assume it becomes a virtue on the move.

Which rivals belong on the shortlist?

The Porsche Macan Electric is an obvious comparison for a performance-focused family EV. The BMW iX3 puts a different emphasis on everyday electric use, while the Polestar 4 is another design-led alternative.

What is my verdict?

I like the A390's attempt to give a practical EV its own reason to exist. It is a more interesting conversation than simply choosing the largest battery or quickest sprint.

The GT would be my first appointment. Check that the cabin works, that the controls make sense and that the driving character is something you value. If it does those jobs, the Alpine can justify being an emotional choice with practical uses. If you mainly want comfortable electric transport, do not pay extra for a performance brief you will rarely use.

Sources and author

By Ben Freakley. Editorial assessment using the UK configurator, UK A390 brochure and Alpine's 2026 range information, checked 21 October 2026. Official Alpine image; specification varies. More Alpine coverage.