2023 Audi TT / TTS

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.

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

TT Coupe

$52,295

TT Roadster

$56,395

TTS Coupe

$61,995

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

The EPA has not yet rated the 2023 TT. Last year, both body styles of the Audi TT achieved fuel economy of 23/30 mpg city/highway. That makes the TT a more fuel-efficient choice than rival sports cars such as the Porsche 718 Cayman (21/27 mpg). For the 2022 TTS, the EPA estimated gas mileage of 23/31 mpg. For more information about the TT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website. 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.

The Car and Driver Difference

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.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

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

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED: $59,100 (base price: $52,825)

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 121 cu in, 1984 cc
Power: 292 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 98.6 in
Length: 165.0 in
Width: 72.1 in Height: 52.8 in
Passenger volume: 74 cu ft
Cargo volume: 12 cu ft
Curb weight: 3220 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 4.2 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 10.7 sec

Zero to 130 mph: 20.6 sec

Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.6 sec

Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.7 sec

Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.1 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 12.8 sec @ 108 mph

Top speed (gov limited, mfr’s claim): 155 mph

Braking, 70-0 mph: 157 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.98 g

FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA city/highway driving: 23/27 mpg
C/D observed: 21 mpg

TEST NOTES: Extracting a 4.2-second zero-to-60 and nearly 1.0 g on the skidpad shouldn’t be this easy. But the TTS makes a tester’s life a cinch.

More Features and Specs