2023 Audi TT / TTS
Starting at $53,295
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- Highs Minimalist-chic interior design, responsive handling, good fuel economy for a sports car.
- Lows Not as quick as rivals, tiny back seat, lacks driver-assistance features.
- Verdict The TT is stylish, fun to drive, and has an intriguing interior, but can’t match the adrenaline-pumping performance of similarly priced sports cars.
Overview
The current generation of the TT has been around for a while, but it remains eye-catching and fun to drive. What it isn’t is a thrill machine for two. It’s available as either a coupe or a convertible and comes with a 228-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine; the TTS offers a 288-hp version of this engine with significantly more grunt. Other sports cars such as the Porsche 718 Cayman and Toyota Supra beat the Audi in terms of outright performance, though even the hotter TTS can’t keep up in terms of acceleration and handling prowess. All-wheel drive is standard equipment, as is a dual-clutch automatic transmission but, unfortunately, neither the TT nor TTS are available with a manual transmission—another knock against it in terms of driver engagement.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What's New for 2023?
The base TT receives a new 18-inch wheel design, but it and the TTS are otherwise unchanged. The powerful five-cylinder TT RS bowed out after the 2022 model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Now that the more powerful TT RS is gone, we’d probably spend the extra cash for the TTS and its upgraded engine. But the TTS comes only in the coupe bodystyle, so if you want the wind in your hair then the convertible—a.k.a Roadster—is for you.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine lives under the hood of the TT, and it generates 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The TTS gets a beefed-up version of this engine that's tuned to deliver 288 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both cars use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive. Whether you choose the TT or the TTS, you'll enjoy responsive handling. The TTS is reasonably quick capable of the 60-mph dash in the low four-second range, but that still trails everything from Toyota Supras to Corvette Stingrays to Porsche 718 Caymans.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, both body styles of the Audi TT are rated for 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Curiously, the more powerful TTS coupe earned ratings of 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, making it a more fuel-efficient choice than rival sports cars such as the Porsche 718 Cayman (21/27 mpg). For more information about the TT's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Both the TT and TTS provide cabins that are temples of chic minimalism. The design is graceful and contemporary, and premium materials are used throughout. The front seats offer more comfort than you'd expect from a small sports car. Technically, this coupe model seats four, but the cramped rear seat is best left for luggage and grocery bags. There's also a dearth of storage nooks within the cabin. The convertible variant of this Audi provides 8 cubic feet of cargo space, while the coupe offers 12 cubic feet.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Navigation, a premium audio system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all standard equipment. Interestingly, the TT does without a central display screen or touchscreen, instead displaying infotainment functions in the digital gauge cluster in front of the driver. Most of these functions are controlled by buttons on the steering wheel.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Audi's TT and TTS are not available with forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, or drowsy-driver monitoring. These features are standard or optional on many of the TT's closest competitors.
For more information about the TT's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard front and rear parking sensors
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Audi's warranty coverage is equal to the protection offered by rival luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
