Audi TT (2014 – 2023) Review

It seems hard to believe the current, third-generation Audi TT coupe was launched in 2014 such is the freshness of its exterior design. Time has run out, though, with production ending in 2023 – marked by a Final Edition model being added to the range. Audi’s sports car still has plenty going for it, despite its advancing years. Read on for our full Audi TT review.

Styling is a subjective topic, but the Audi TT warrants special praise for its design. The sharp lines, neat proportions and precise detailing have created a car that looks just as fresh as when it first left the production line. Or indeed when the first generation was launched way back in 1998.

Compared to the second-generation model, this Audi TT pays closer attention to the Bauhaus look introduced by the first-generation car from 1998. Inspiration from the Audi R8 is also evident, making the Audi TT look more expensive than it actually is. It means the Audi can be considered in the same league as the Jaguar F-Type or even the Alpine A110.

The trend continues inside, with a cabin design that majors on minimalism. Placing the climate controls inside the air vents, and using a Virtual Cockpit instrument panel instead of a touchscreen, leaves the Audi TT’s interior looking simple and effective.

Practicality has never been the Audi TT’s strong point. Boot space is competitive with small hatchbacks, aided by the large tailgate, while the rear seats are useless for anyone other than small children. At least those in the front have plenty of space.

The Audi TT range now encompasses just two petrol engines, along with the upgraded petrol motor powering the Audi TTS. All manage to deliver effective performance; even the entry-level 40 TFSI is as quick as hot hatchbacks.

There is no manual gearbox available now, with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission standard across the range. The manual was never the greatest gearbox, frankly, so this is no huge loss. The Audi TT 45 TFSI and Audi TTS come equipped with quattro all-wheel drive, aiding ability whatever the weather.

For those who want supercar-baiting performance, the Audi TT RS is still available. This is powered by the sonorous 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine, developing a huge 400PS and 480Nm of torque.

The Audi TT Roadster has been a core part of the range since the original model was launched. It’s a stylish two-seater convertible, and fully deserving of its own Audi TT Roadster review.

Prices for the Audi TT now start from around £38,000, with the Audi TTS costing from £50,000 – that rivals the Porsche 718 Cayman. Standard equipment levels on the Audi TT are strong, although the options packages have the potential to push the price tag much higher.

The time left for the third-generation Audi TT is drawing to a close, but it is going out on a high. It delivers effortless performance, combined with styling that still looks modern today. Add in the well-made minimalist interior and you have a modern classic sports car in the making.

A lot may have changed in the past decade, but the Audi TT remains a sports car that is easy to recommend.

Fancy a second opinion? Read the heycar review of the Audi TT.

For the third-generation car, the Audi TT became the most dynamically capable version to date. It proves that this is more than just a sharp looker, being notably more engaging than the humble hatchbacks it shares a platform with.

It should be acknowledged that a Porsche 718 Cayman or Alpine A110 will be more thrilling on a winding country road, or indeed a race track. But the Audi TT’s steering is still precise, with variable weighting available via the Drive Select switch. Its handling is accurate and secure, allowing the Audi TT or Audi TTS to cover ground at speed with ease.

Opting for the 45 TFSI model or Audi TTS with quattro all-wheel drive brings an extra degree of security, helping deliver all-weather performance.

The suspension set-up is taut, but never to the point of being uncomfortable. Motorway expansion joints will thump into the cabin, but the overall firmness is a price worth paying for the agile handling. Audi TTS models come with adjustable dampers as standard.

The Audi TT range is now simplified, with buyers able to pick from just two four-cylinder petrol engines. These are offered with all trim levels, although there is a substantial price difference between the two powertrains.

Both engines are combined with Audi’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. This shifts rapidly, and can be controlled through the (rather small) steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The 40 TFSI 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is now the starting point for the Audi TT engine range, and comes with front-wheel drive. It produces a healthy 197PS, combined with 320Nm of torque. The result is the potential to sprint from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 153mph.

In isolation, the 40 TFSI is all the engine most buyers will need, thanks to its blend of performance and affordability. The Audi TT isn’t a hardcore sports car, but it still offers the pace to live with racy hot hatchbacks.

However, for those who want an Audi TT with more, the 45 TFSI uses an upgraded 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. With 245PS and 370Nm of torque, aided by quattro all-wheel drive, the 45 TFSI can do the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.1 seconds. Should it matter, the top speed increases to 155mph.

The Audi TTS takes the performance to another level, being powered by a 320PS version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It too comes with quattro all-wheel drive and the S tronic gearbox, helping channel 400Nm of torque to the road. The result is a 0-62mph time of just 4.5 seconds, and effortless overtaking potential.

The Audi TT was assessed by the Euro NCAP safety organisation all the way back in 2015. At the time, it was awarded a four-star rating for crash protection, with a score of 81% for adult occupants. Child protection was rated as 68%

Reducing the Audi TT’s score was a lack of autonomous emergency braking, even though it comes with four airbags, electronic stability control and a post-collision braking system. Due to the passage of time, and a more stringent Euro NCAP test process, the Audi TT’s rating is now classed as expired.

The Audi TT has not been rated for towing, due to not having dedicated tow bar attachments. This is meant to be a sports car, of course. For towing, but with a coupe aesthetic, consider the Audi Q3 Sportback instead, which can haul braked trailers of up to 2200kg.

Although the Audi TT is a sports car, it is still likely to be a daily-driver for many owners. This means practicality must play a part.

When it comes to space in the front of the Audi TT, a pair of adults will be able to sit comfortably. Headroom is a touch limited for those over six-feet tall, but the sports seats offer plenty of adjustment. The door bins are small, but there is a decent storage cubby in the centre console.

The rear seats are best left to children. The low roofline, combined with a small amount of legroom, makes for a very cramped experience in the back two seats.

It’s perhaps better to think of the Audi TT’s rear seats as an extension of the boot, which happens to be surprisingly generous. With the back seats up, there is space for 305 litres of luggage, on par with a typical small hatchback The back seats split 50:50 and fold flat, creating a load area for up to 712 litres of cargo. 

The design of the Audi TT was impressive when new, and still remains so today. It has the look and feel of a high-end sports car, with soft-touch materials and neat metal trim used throughout the cabin.

Having the climate control settings integrated into the air vents is still a fabulous piece of design, and aids the minimalist look. The remaining switchgear continues the luxurious vibe, aided by standard leather and Alcantara trim.

The third-generation Audi TT helped pioneer the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, which has since become commonplace across the Audi range.

Inside the Audi TT, it is embraced to the maximum, with all MMI infotainment settings operated through the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit. Having this directly behind the steering wheel means not having to look down when scrolling through menus, although becoming familiar with how it operates does take some time.

Drivers can use buttons mounted on the steering wheel, or the large rotary dial on the centre console. It certainly makes a change from having to stab at a touchscreen, although it does mean the front passenger is unable to do much to help with music selection, for instance.

Satellite navigation is only standard on the range-topping Final Edition model, but can be added via the £1345 Technology Pack. It does work well, displaying a large-scale 3D map in the instrument panel.

An eight-speaker sound system is standard, with a powerful 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen set-up available as part of the £1495 Comfort and Sound Pack.

At the time of writing, prices for the Audi TT start at a little over £36,000, which gets you the entry-level S line 40 TFSI petrol model. For comparison, an Alpine A110 would cost more than £52,000, with a Porsche 718 Cayman requiring a similar amount of money.

Granted, these are both focused mid-engined coupes, but the Audi TT still looks good value.

Moving up through the Audi TT range, the Audi TT Black Edition costs a further £1500, with the range-topping Audi TT Final Edition requiring almost £42,000. Choosing the more powerful 45 TFSI engine adds around £4500 to the price tag.

An Audi TTS costs close to £50,000, putting it more in line with the Porsche or Alpine in terms of price.

Buying a sports car is typically a decision made with the heart, rather than the head. However, the Audi TT can be justified by its reasonable running costs.

The entry-level 40 TFSI 2.0-litre petrol has the potential to achieve an official average fuel economy of up to 40.4mpg in Sport specification. Its front-wheel-drive layout helps efficiency, while a 50-litre fuel tank means the Audi TT 40 TFSI can deliver a respectable driving range. CO2 emissions are from 158g/km.

The more powerful 45 TFSI 2.0-litre petrol engine is combined with standard quattro all-wheel drive. Along with its higher output, this has an impact on fuel economy, with the Sport version averaging up to 35.3mpg.

Naturally, these fuel economy numbers will fall if the Audi TT is driven swiftly, as a sports car might be. To see just how the Audi TT fares in the real world, be sure to check our Real MPG submissions from actual owners.

For all its performance, the Audi TTS only suffers a minor drop in fuel economy compared to the other models. In the official WLTP test, the Audi TTS can average up to 34.0mpg.

The Audi TT comes as standard with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, as is common for premium European manufacturers. This looks a bit stingy compared to what mainstream brands such as Hyundai and Kia can offer, however.

Audi also offers buyers the chance to extend the Audi TT’s warranty to either four or five years when buying new.

The trim levels available for the Audi TT have been reconfigured, dispensing with the previous Sport specification.

This means that Audi TT S line is now the entry-level trim, bringing sportier styling both outside and in for the compact coupe. Standard equipment includes 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED tail lights with dynamic indicators and electrically folding side mirrors.

The S line model also features bespoke exterior styling, with sharper front and rear bumpers, a gloss black radiator grille and different side sills. It also comes with a retractable rear spoiler that can be deployed at the push of a button.

Audi fits Super Sports seats, covered in a combination of black leather and Alcantara, with the front pair also heated. There is also an S line-branded steering wheel, black headlining, S line door sill trims and inlays finished in matt aluminium.

Other standard equipment includes climate control air-con, cruise control, rear parking sensors and keyless start. The 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel controls most features, and comes with DAB radio, USB connections and a smartphone interface.

The Audi TT Black Edition is intended to add some extra visual bite, beginning with a set of 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels painted in gloss black.

A Black Styling Pack brings the ‘noir’ theme to the front grille, rear diffuser insert and the exterior Audi badges. Gloss black is also used for the fixed rear spoiler and side mirrors, with privacy glass and black chrome exhaust tailpipes part of the package.

On the inside, not much is changed for the Audi TT Black Edition, other than the addition of chrome slate grey interior details.

As a fitting goodbye to the Audi TT, the Audi TT Final Edition model is loaded with extra equipment. A set of 20-inch alloy wheels is included, along with the Black Styling Pack, rear privacy glass and fixed rear spoiler. The brake callipers are painted red, plus you get Audi Rings decals and metallic paint.

Red stitching can be found on the leather and Alcantara sports seats, with an extended leather package covering much of the interior. There’s bold Tango Red detailing on the seat trims and centre console, plus an LED interior lighting package and red stitching for the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

The MMI infotainment system is upgraded to include satellite navigation, along with a 10GB hard drive to store music.

For the Audi TTS, buyers can pick between Black Edition or Final Edition specifications, with standard equipment mirroring the regular Audi TT range.