Audi TT Review: Stylish, Fast, but Impractical

TL;DR

The Audi TT is desirable, genuinely engaging to drive, and comfortable enough for everyday use, but its rear seats are effectively useless and its price rises further with options. The 230-horsepower turbo model offers ample performance, while quattro all-wheel drive improves traction in wet conditions and adaptive suspension is advisable with larger wheels.

Transcript

the Audi TT now this is a stylish sports car and you know you shouldn't be put off by the fact that it has a reputation for being driven by people who work in a certain profession because actually for a small sporty Coupe it's reasonably practical that criers could probably use it so the boot is about the same size as a Ford Fiestas the only proble... Read More

Key Insights

• The Audi TT is more practical than its compact coupe shape suggests because its boot is about the size of a Ford Fiesta's, although the shallow layout restricts how luggage can be arranged until the parcel shelf and rear seatbacks are moved.
• The rear seats are effectively unusable for adults because access is awkward and available space is extremely limited. ISOFIX mounting points allow a very small child seat to be fitted, but the reviewer doubts that the rear compartment would be comfortable even for children.
• The cabin is a minimalist design with climate controls optionally integrated into the air vents. Its width makes the front feel reasonably spacious, while the door bins can just hold a large bottle and the overall presentation supports the car's desirable image.
• The Virtual Cockpit places driving information, navigation, and infotainment directly in the driver's line of sight instead of using a central screen. Its views and menus can be controlled through the steering wheel or the rotary controller positioned in the center console.
• The third-generation Audi TT is genuinely sporty and engaging while remaining surprisingly comfortable. The reviewer considers it a major improvement over the disappointing driving experience of the first generation and a further advance over the much-improved second generation.
• The front-wheel-drive TT can struggle to transfer its power to the road when exiting a wet corner. Quattro all-wheel drive is therefore the recommended configuration for dependable wet-weather traction, although quattro models cannot be ordered with a manual gearbox.
• The 230-horsepower 2-litre turbo engine provides more than enough performance. With the seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, the reviewed car reaches 62 mph in 5.3 seconds and combines launch control with quattro to accelerate forcefully even from a water-covered surface.
• The Audi TT has ownership compromises beyond its price, including missing standard satellite navigation and cruise control across the range. Other drawbacks include low-speed automatic gearbox jerkiness, tire roar, wind whistle from the mirrors, thick pillars, and poor infotainment visibility for the passenger.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is the Audi TT practical enough for everyday use?

The Audi TT is reasonably practical for a small sporty coupe, particularly when its rear seats are treated as additional luggage space. Its boot is about the same size as a Ford Fiesta's, but it is shallow and limits how items can be arranged. Removing the parcel shelf and folding the rear seats creates a large load area, while the front cabin offers adequate storage and feels fairly spacious.

Q: Can adults or children use the Audi TT rear seats?

Adults are unlikely to use the Audi TT's rear seats comfortably because getting inside is difficult and the available headroom and legroom are extremely limited. The reviewer describes the seats as little more than a gesture and even questions their suitability for children. ISOFIX points are provided, so a very small child seat can be installed, but access and space remain major limitations.

Q: How does the Audi TT Virtual Cockpit work?

The Virtual Cockpit combines the driver's instruments, navigation, and infotainment information in a display positioned directly in the driver's line of sight. There is no separate central infotainment screen. The driver can change views, move through menus, and operate the system using steering-wheel controls or a rotary controller in the center console. The reviewer finds the system very easy to use.

Q: Is the third-generation Audi TT enjoyable to drive?

The third-generation Audi TT is described as genuinely sporty, engaging, and great fun to drive, while also delivering surprising comfort. The first-generation model looked distinctive but was disappointing dynamically, and the second generation represented a large improvement. The reviewed generation advances further by combining enjoyable handling with the everyday ride comfort that the reviewer considers especially valuable in a modern car.

Q: Should an Audi TT have quattro all-wheel drive?

Quattro all-wheel drive is the better choice for drivers who want strong traction in wet weather. The front-wheel-drive version can struggle to put its power down when accelerating out of a wet corner, whereas the quattro car can use launch control effectively even on a water-covered surface. One important restriction is that quattro versions are unavailable with the manual gearbox.

Q: Which Audi TT engine does the reviewer recommend?

The reviewer recommends one of the 2-litre turbo petrol engines and identifies the lower-powered 230-horsepower version as his preferred choice. He considers it more than fast enough for the car. A 2-litre diesel is also available for drivers prioritizing economy, and it is described as both fast and frugal. Overall, the complete engine range receives a positive assessment.

Q: How fast and economical is the reviewed Audi TT?

The reviewed 230-horsepower Audi TT uses a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox and reaches 62 mph in 5.3 seconds. Its claimed fuel economy is 40 mpg, although the trip computer showed an actual average of just over 31 mpg during the review. Launch control and quattro all-wheel drive help it accelerate strongly in wet conditions, while the automatic changes gears quickly.

Q: What are the main disadvantages of the Audi TT?

The Audi TT is expensive, and adding options increases its price further, although its desirability supports resale value. Satellite navigation and cruise control are not standard on any model. The rear seats are effectively useless, the automatic gearbox can jerk during low-speed maneuvers, and road noise and mirror-related wind whistle are noticeable. Thick front and rear pillars also restrict visibility in some directions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Audi TT combines its recognizable coupe shape with a minimalist cabin featuring clever details and a configurable Virtual Cockpit. Front occupants get reasonable space and storage, but the rear seats are extremely cramped. Its shallow boot becomes considerably more useful when the rear seats are folded down.

• The third-generation TT feels sporty, engaging, and surprisingly comfortable, making it easier to use daily than its appearance might suggest. Larger wheels can introduce extra jolts, so adaptive suspension is recommended with them. Road noise, wind whistle, thick pillars, and occasional low-speed automatic gearbox jerkiness remain notable drawbacks.

• The available engines are all presented as strong choices, with the diesel emphasizing speed and economy and the 2-litre turbo petrol engines offering greater performance. The 230-horsepower model reaches 62 mph in 5.3 seconds with the automatic gearbox, while quattro provides impressive traction for acceleration in wet conditions.