Audi TT review
Fast, stylish and well-made, the Audi TT is a great looking sports car which boasts a modern safety kit. It has a good mix of economy and fun.
Pros
- Sleek and sporty style
- Excellent cabin design
- Great fun to drive
Cons
- Back seats are very small
- Not cheap to buy or run
- It’s not the most engaging to drive
Summary
“If you want a stylish sports car that’s also practical and reliable, the Audi TT is hard to beat.”
This iconic sports car perfectly blends great performance with rock-solid build quality and swoopy styling.
The TT definitely prioritises style and fun over space - rear seat passengers won’t feel very comfortable as it’s super cramped in the back. That said, if it’s just you and one other passenger, you’ll be in for an exciting ride.
The TT is available as a coupe or roadster (both have two doors, but the roadster is a convertible), so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. If you’re looking for even greater performance, choose the TTS or TT RS versions.
What’s the interior like?
“The TT has a highly attractive interior that doesn’t compromise on comfort.”
The Audi TT looks seriously impressive with its low-slung, sporty seats. It’s extremely easy to get comfortable thanks to a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustment. It has one of the nicest looking sports coupe cabins around.
It mixes retro elements with lots of contemporary tech, such as the Audi Virtual Cockpit electronic dashboard display, which can be configured to show traditional dials, as well as infotainment screens and navigation. If navigation is something you want, you’ll need to make sure the car you’re looking at has the optional Audi Technology Pack.
Standard leather seats add to the upmarket and premium feel, but the back row doesn’t have much space for adults and it’s tight for children. The extra luggage shelf is useful though. The boot is relatively spacious which makes the TT surprisingly good for weekends away or shopping trips.
What’s it like to drive?
“The Audi TT offers plenty of driving thrills, but also works well as a relaxed cruiser or a commuting car.”
The TT is easy to use, in spite of its impressive acceleration and grip. It’s a highly enjoyable drive with accurate and responsive steering and very little body lean in fast corners.
The S-line models sit lower on the road so the ride feels a little firmer and may mean you feel more bumps in the road. You can also get adaptive dampers as the ‘magnetic ride’ option. This is a system that analyses road conditions and your driving style to provide the best balance of body control and comfort. It also allows you to switch from comfort mode to sport mode depending on your preference.
Both the diesel and petrol engine line-ups are efficient and smooth. There’s a range of options for different performance choices. The entry-level 1.6-litre petrol is brisk, while the TTS is seriously rapid. RS models take the performance to an entirely different level, while the 2.0-litre diesel offers great economy.
Is it cost-efficient to buy and run?
“The TT isn’t cheap when new and hangs onto its value well. Insurance and running costs are also high.”
There are plenty of TTs on the market, so finding the car you want shouldn’t pose too many problems. You may struggle to find a bargain as the TT holds onto its value well.
If you do a lot of miles and want good economy, then the diesel TT may be the best option – the 2.0 TDI returns up to 60 mpg according to official figures. Petrol engines deliver anything from 47 mpg for the smallest 1.8-litre.
Insurance costs aren’t too bad, but premiums will still be high. Servicing and maintenance costs will be more than they would for a hatchback, but a lot cheaper than a Porsche Cayman.
How reliable and safe is it?
“There’s no autonomous emergency braking, but safety is otherwise good. Reliability feedback is also positive.”
Audi’s are well built and you can expect a TT to provide solid reliability. It also comes with a three-year warranty so you may be covered if you buy a newer used car.
While the TT only scored four stars during Euro NCAP’s independent crash testing, it was marked down for not having autonomous emergency braking, even on the options list.
It has all the other safety kit you’d expect, with blind spot warnings and traffic sign recognition all available as options on the TT when new. You’ll need to check the specs of your chosen car to see if it includes these features.
Which one is best for you?
Best for economy - TT 2.0 TDI Sport
Best for fun - TTS
If you’re not tied to a budget, the full-on supercar-level performance of the TT RS model is very tempting. That said, the lower performance models are a great choice.
High mileage drivers should opt for the diesel. You won’t be disappointed by the potential mpg or smoothness.
If you’re unlikely to rack up the miles, the 2.0 TFSI petrol has a blend of efficiency and performance that’s terrific for everyday driving.
