Audi TT

The Audi TT is a stylish sports car that combines the brand’s superb interior quality with an exciting and polished driving experience and a range of powerful, smooth petrol engines. It comes as either a svelte coupe or an open-top convertible, but both are easy to live with and extremely desirable. Launched in 2014, the third generation TT doesn’t have the same iconic Bauhaus styling of the 1998 original, but is far better to drive, and got a revamp in 2019. Its 2.0-litre petrol engines were given a decent power boost, and the exterior styling and lights were modernised to match the rest of the Audi range. The coupe has a ‘2+2’ seating layout, which means you get a pair of cramped occasional seats in the rear for a total of four, however the cabriolet is a strict two-seater, so you’ll just have to leave the kids at home. Every TT has enough power to get the driver’s pulse racing, but the high-performance TT S and TT RS have levels of grip and acceleration normally reserved for Porsche drivers, and unfortunately, prices that match.

Exterior Design

Every version of the Audi TT looks sleek, modern and sporty, and it’s also more compact in size than rivals which are based on saloon cars (like the C-Class Coupe and BMW 2 Series).

You can dial up the sportiness to suit your own tastes, so the standard car has 18-inch alloys and bright Xenon headlights, while the ‘S Line’ variants feature a wider grille, bigger wheels and a pumped up body kit, along with LED headlights that look really sharp and futuristic. If you want to seem racetrack ready, then the Black Edition cribs the look of the faster TT S. As the name suggests, you get huge black alloy wheels, black trim inserts for the grille and mirrors, and a fixed rear spoiler that sits across the back of the car, just like on a race-car.

Interior Design

One of the best things about the TT is how inviting, comfortable and beautifully designed the cabin is. Few rivals feel as plush, and it takes seconds to find the perfect driving position. You don’t sit as low down as you do in a Porsche Cayman, but the standard leather sport seats are comfy, and visibility is great, so you don’t feel nervous about damaging the wheels. It features a ‘Virtual Cockpit’ so rather than traditional dials, there’s a 12.3-inch digital screen. Three turbine-like air vents sit in the centre console, but they are pretty much the only thing the front passenger can fiddle with, since the driver controls everything else via the wheel. Incredibly high quality materials and the precise feeling of all the switches inside, make the TT feel really special. It comes fairly well equipped too, however those small rear seats are pretty cramped for head and knee room.

What to look out for 

Audi groups many of its optional extras into packs with names like ‘Technology Pack’ or ‘Comfort and Sound’ which is a nice way of bundling together desirable equipment, but the packs are all pretty expensive, so be careful about splashing out on too many of them. The TT will hold onto its value better than most rivals, but we would stick to the entry-level Sport trim unless you must have the more aggressive-looking S Line version, as it’s better value. The boot in the coupe is much bigger than you might think, with a decently sized load area, and even space to fit a bike if you fold the rear seats down and remove the front wheel first.

What we think

The Audi TT is that rare thing, a sports car that is as thrilling to drive as it is to look at. Its stunning interior quality and above average practicality make it a useable daily driver too.

Punchy petrol engines and (in four-wheel-drive models) unshakeable grip means you can enjoy the performance with real confidence, and the roadster is just as fun as the coupe. Budget some extra cash for the pricey options though, and stick to the lower trim levels.