2017 Audi TT / TTS

Overview

The Audi TT was a sensation when it premiered in the 2000 model year. As a small, sleek 2+2 coupe or two-seat roadster based on the Volkswagen Golf/GTI front-wheel-drive platform, it was as much a style icon as it was a sports car. The third-generation TT and higher-performance TTS launched in the 2016 model year, and with its once-striking design now very familiar, it is not held in quite the same regard as a “pure” sports car by enthusiasts, compared with the Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4, or Mazda MX-5 Miata. The standard TT is available in 2+2 coupe or two-seat roadster variants, while the TTS is coupe-only.

What's New for 2017?

A rearview camera and power-folding, heated side-view mirrors are standard this year. The optional Tech package now includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MMI Navigation Plus, and front and rear acoustic parking sensors, plus Audi side assist.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

• Coupe: $44,450
• Roadster: $47,950
• TTS: $53,450
  

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The TT coupe and roadster are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the TTS coupe has the same engine tuned to 292 horses and 280 pound-feet. Quattro all-wheel-drive is standard, and the only transmission available is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode—no more manual gearbox. In separate tests, we found the TT coupe to have impressive acceleration for a car with just 220 horses. Meanwhile, the TTS’s torque peaks at 1,900 rpm versus the TT’s 1,500 rpm, and our tester says it takes a heap of throttle to get maximum acceleration from the engine. In addition, the TT exhibited excellent steering, roadholding and braking, though the low-profile Pirelli P-Zero tires on our TTS test car take their toll in ride quality.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The TT and TTS won't disappoint those who know of Audi’s position as the benchmark of interior material quality, fit and finish, and design. The standard seats are very bolstered, and a flat-bottom racing-style steering wheel reinforces the "sport" in sports car. Like top-spec Audi sedans and sport-utilities, the TTS comes with tufted leather seats, reminiscent of interiors found in Volkswagen Group’s luxury brand, Bentley, with real metal and carbon-fiber trim inlays you won’t find in its competitors. The TT coupe and TTS are 2+2 hardtop models, but the ultra-rakish roofline make the rear seat best left to your briefcase or backpack—or two very, very small people. Even in the coupe models, which are actually two-door hatchbacks, cargo space is a marginally useful 12.0 cubic-feet. The TT roadster drops that to 7.5 cubic feet.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The Audi TT and TTS come standard with a virtual cockpit featuring a version of the brand’s MMI infotainment system in the instrument cluster, between the two traditional gauges (speedometer and tachometer) in a 12.3-inch display. Standard tech includes Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a nine-speaker stereo with satellite radio. Optional features include navigation, Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Audi Connect online services and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Audi TT / TTS’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.