The Audi TT is a 2-door sports coupe made for those who want to enjoy a dynamic driving experience in a compact form factor. The TT has been out for quite a while now, yet it seems like Audi is likely going to ditch it soon enough. So, Is Audi TT a good car?
It depends on what you want from a car. If you love compact, stylish, dynamic cars with lots of high-end tech, the TT is good for you. However, if you are not into compact sports cars, the TT is not going to be a car for you. Either way, it is a really well-put-together product that promises excitement, luxury, and a sense of occasion.
The engines on offer are plentiful, the TT comes in a few different body styles, and the interior is cladded with high-end materials and sharp design touches. Reliability-wise, the TT is decent, but only if you maintain it well enough. Values of these are not particularly stable as 2-door compact cars are slowly on a demise.
Practicality is also a sore point for the TT because it offers only 2 doors, only 2 seats, and a fairly lackluster trunk. Either way, if you want to know more about the TT, be sure to read this article.
Audi TT – The powertrain
The TT comes in a few different 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline-powered variants and a rapid 5-cylinder baby Audi R8 engine that both sounds and drives amazingly well. The entry-level TT comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that offers between 200hp and 320hp for the most powerful 4-cylinder TT S model.
The range-topping Audi TT RS features a 400hp 2.5L 5-cylinder engine which is certainly a class leader in many regards. The TT RS can reach 60mph from a standstill in around 3.5 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 155mph. The TT RS also does the quarter-mile in under 12 seconds which is indeed commendable.
All of these engines are mated to a 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch box and Audi’s proprietary Quattro AWD system. Efficiency-wise, the TT maxes out at around 30MPG while the range-topping RS model is considerably worse.
Audi TT – Design and chassis
The Audi TT was first introduced in the late 1990s and the first-gen TT never looked all that attractive. The newest TT incorporates a much sharper design language which does make the car feel more exciting and attention-grabbing. The interior is designed really well, especially the Virtual Cockpit which still is the best digital gauge cluster in the industry.
The TT RS is the one to get if you love driving because it is lower to the ground and the suspension is stiff, but not punishing at all. The TT is a small car with a sporty chassis so it feels up on its toes even while standing still.
Audi TT – Reliability and common issues
Reliability-wise, the TT is more or less like any other Audi which means that it can last a long time if you maintain it well enough. These cars are indeed high-maintenance, but that comes with the territory as these are luxury cars after all.
The most common TT issues are associated with the engine, the suspension, the steering system, the electricals, and the brakes.
Audi TT – Value and practicality
The TT starts at around $50,000 for a barebone entry-level model while a range-topping well-equipped RS model costs around $80,000. For this type of money, you are getting a true Audi luxury experience, but that does not stop the car deprecating like crazy.
Practicality-wise, the TT is really bad as it only has 2-doors, 2-seats, and small trunk space. The interior space is also relatively confined, especially for taller drivers which will certainly feel claustrophobic. As a daily driver, the TT could do for someone who usually travels by himself or someone willing to compromise.
FAQ Section
Should I buy the Audi TT?
Well, after reading this article you should have a fair assessment if the car is right for you or not. However, as the main aspect of buying anything is the price point, you need to keep in mind that you are paying serious money for a car that isn’t able to offer all that much. Except if you are a huge Audi 5-cylinder fan and you value performance over common sense.
All in all, your personal opinion is what should guide you while deciding if you should buy the car or not. We can only say that the TT is a well-rounded package for those who are willing to compromise on value, and more importantly, practicality.
Is the Audi TT available as a convertible?
The Audi TT does come in convertible form and some markets prefer the convertible over the coupe. The convertible TT is even more compromised when it comes to practicality, and as such, is a much tougher sell. However, if you can fit and you like the car overall, there is no reason why you shouldn’t take one out for a test drive.
The convertible model typically comes at a $4,000 to $5,000 premium over the coupe which is certainly a hike. It’s also worth mentioning that the TT RS comes in convertible form which only shows that the convertible is as popular as the coupe.
Is Audi going to discontinue the TT?
Audi is starting to completely reevaluate their model market strategy and it seems like they are ditching quite a few models in the not-too-distant future while adding more EVs, SUVs, and crossovers. This is an ongoing trend in the entire industry, so Audi is only playing the part.
As such, Audi has said recently that they are going to discontinue the TT and probably replace it with something more “emotional” and larger. We are not sure if the successor to the TT is going to be electric or not, but we sure do love more sports cars on the roads. The TT time has sadly passed, and that is obvious the moment you look at the sale charts.
