Audi TT Mk3 Review (2014-2023)
Audi TT Coupe cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Flagship TT RS rivals more expensive cars for performance
Practical boot for a coupe
Post-2018 cars have generous standard equipment
Cons
An Alpine A110 delivers a more exciting drive
Only early examples were available with a manual gearbox
Rear seats are a token gesture
The CarGurus verdict
The Mk3 Audi TT may not be the most exciting sports car around but it compensates by being easy to live with, not overly expensive to run and practical. As a result, it’s a car that can be used daily without major grief – and, while not as involving as a Porsche 718 Cayman, a TT is still a gratifying and quick car to drive.
About the only major sticking point is that, like all preceding TTs, its rear seats are truly a token gesture. Consequently, if you’re thinking about bringing along more than one adult passenger from time to time, you’re probably best just going for something else altogether.
Otherwise, you’ll only need to consider the available options carefully. Upgrades such as the Plus Pack and Technology Pack, the latter of which adds satnav and a touch-sensitive control panel, will make a TT feel even more upmarket and advanced.
What is the Audi TT?
Audi’s TT has long been one of the top options for buyers wanting a stylish, practical and pleasing sports car – and this, the third-generation TT, is no exception to that rule.
It was introduced in 2014 and utilised the Volkswagen Group’s then-new MQB platform. Compared to its predecessor, it also benefited from sharper exterior styling, an overhauled and more upmarket interior, new technology and a renewed focus on driving dynamics.
A high-performance TTS model was offered from the outset, while an economical diesel and range-topping TT RS would also later join the range – and, as was the case with the first- and second-generation TTs, a Roadster variant was available for those seeking drop-top fun.
Audi would continue to fettle the TT line-up, updating the car significantly in 2018, and it still remains one of the best options if you’re looking for an accessible sports car that blends some practicality with sensible running costs and an enjoyable ownership proposition.
In 2023 Audi announced that TT production would be ending, and launched a Final Edition trim specification for four-cylinder models as a way to bid it farewell, In addition, Audi produced 100 examples of the TT RS Iconic Edition, which featured numerous aerodynamic and styling upgrades, and a price of nearly £90,000.
How practical is it?
The front seats offer plenty of space, but the rear seats are very small and cramped. They might just about fit a pair of small booster seats into them, but no more than that – you won’t be able to fit adults in behind you unless you’re prepared to shuffle both front seats very far forward – and put up with lots of complaining.
In fact, you might be better off to consider them as extra luggage storage. Speaking of which, the 305-litre boot is a decent size by the standard of small coupes, and its hatchback design means access is easy. What's more, if you fold down those rear seat backs you can treat the TT as a two-seater with a big boot, at which point it makes quite a lot of sense.
What's it like to drive?
The Mk3 Audi TT is not as dull to drive as many make out. Its steering is well weighted and accurate, its brakes powerful and the TFSI petrol engines are smooth and responsive. Many will also appreciate the option of the quattro all-wheel-drive system, which allows the TT to put its power down without fuss in poor conditions. No TT is slow, but the TTS model is particularly quick – while the flagship 2.5-litre TT RS is capable of surprising far more expensive cars.
Admittedly, its numb steering and compliant, safe handling nature – and the lack of a manual transmission option in more recent models – means that the TT doesn’t have the enthusiast appeal of a Porsche 718 Cayman or Boxster, and nor does it have the captivating brawny nature of a Ford Mustang or Nissan 370Z.
The Audi is still a satisfying and quick car to drive, though, and it has other strengths that make it worth keeping on your list. It’s attractively styled, well equipped, comfortable for a sporting coupe and it has a usefully large and easily accessed boot for a car of its type.
The RS model is notably rapid thanks to its 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Expect 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, and very strong pulling power from almost anywhere in the rev range.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
The TT trim range consists of Sport, Sport Edition, S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung. Even the base Sport option is well equipped, pleasingly, and features 18-inch wheels, xenon lights, Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, cruise control, Bluetooth and air conditioning.
Most of the subsequent trim levels benefit predominantly from cosmetic upgrades, such as larger wheels and bespoke exterior upgrades, but the S line model does feature LED headlights, LED rear lights, dynamic rear lights and sports suspension. The flagship standard TT, the Vorsprung, also benefits from upgrades including Matrix LED headlights, extra safety systems and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Mk3 Audi TT running costs
Compared to a regular hatchback, an Audi TT is going to cost a bit more to run – but not as much as you might expect. The entry-level Sport 40 TFSI S tronic model is claimed to average up to 41.5mpg on the more realistic WLTP test cycle, while its CO2 emissions are pegged at a maximum of 155g/km. Consequently, even if you’re using a TT for commuting, the fuel bills shouldn’t prove excessive.
You won’t take much of a hit if you opt for the more powerful 45 TFSI, either, as that’s claimed to average 39.2mpg and emit up to 164g/km of CO2. Quattro-equipped cars are less efficient, however, clocking in at a best of 35.8mpg and 181g/km of CO2. Many of the more powerful models do however cost more than £40,000, which means you’ll pay an extra VED charge of £325 a year for the first five years of ownership – do check this when buying a TT.
The lighter, less complicated front-wheel-drive TTs will prove most efficient in the real world, too, which is worth bearing in mind; most owners report an average mpg figure in the range of 30-40mpg. For quattro models, expect more like 30-35mpg. Their heavier weight and complication also means that you can expect to pay fractionally more in upkeep, in terms of servicing and increased wear on tyre, suspension and braking components. Similarly, the TTS and the powerful five-cylinder TT RS will cost noticeably more to run than standard TTs.
If you’re looking for maximum economy, you could consider an older diesel TT. These benefitted from both high claimed economy figures and low CO2 emissions, with some early Ultra versions dipping into the £20 and £30 annual VED range and benefitting from a claimed average of up to 67.3mpg. Diesel models – in general – can be prone to costly faults, though, which could make a dent in any fuel- and VED-related savings.
To help keep servicing costs manageable, Audi offers service plans for both cars under three years old and for cars aged 3-15 years. These fixed-price schemes – the cost of which can be spread over 24 months – are tailored to each vehicle and you can simply enter the details online to see what the cost is.
Mk3 Audi TT reliability
From new, very TT came with a conventional three-year, 60,000-mile warranty that could be extended to four or five years. A three-year paintwork warranty and 12-year anti-perforation warranty were included as well, along with three years’ roadside assistance.
The standard warranty might not sound exceptional for a premium sports car, but it’s not uncommon in this sector. A more expensive Porsche, for example, will come with a three-year warranty as well – although that is admittedly an unlimited mileage one, as also offered by BMW, which could prove of use to a handful of owners.
Not many problems with third-generation TTs have been reported, although water ingress does seem to blight some.
On the recalls front, there has only been one reported for this era of TT so far – which related to the fitment of a protector to reduce the chance of a fuel tank leak in an accident. Use the government’s recall website to see if your car is affected and check with the seller or dealer to see if it has been attended to.
In any case, especially if you’re looking at older or more complicated quattro examples, go for a car with comprehensive history as it could prove less troublesome in the future. You want to see signs of care and consideration, such as regular oil changes, DSG and Haldex services when required, undamaged wheels and high-quality tyres.
- There have been several updates throughout the life of the Mk3 TT, including a facelifted line-up that arrived in showrooms towards the end of 2018. These received freshened exterior styling, more standard equipment – with even base models getting the Audi drive select and heated exterior mirrors as standard – and a revamped engine line-up that used 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI badging. The diesel engine was also dropped, along with the base 1.8-litre TFSI engine. Audi also introduced a ‘TT 20 years’ anniversary model, which featured unique detailing, 19-inch wheels, Matrix OLED rear lights and a choice of two grey paint finishes.
- A standard TT, particularly with the more powerful 45 TFSI engine option, is by no means a slow car. However, if you’re in the market for more performance, Audi offers a higher-performance version of the TT called the TTS. It has a 306hp engine that grants a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds, thanks in part to the swift-shifting S tronic transmission and extra traction offered by the quattro all-wheel-drive system. Alternatively, you could opt for the expensive TT RS, which features a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine. It pounds out a heady 395bhp and gives the TT RS supercar-like acceleration; Audi claims that it can sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds.
- If safety is a factor in your buying decision, you should be aware that the TT only attained a four-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. On the flip side, it’s one of the few cars of its type to have been tested; to put that score into context, Mazda’s MX-5, which was also tested in 2015, scored the same four-star rating.
- The best all-rounder: We’d recommend keeping things simple and opting for the base Sport trim. Go for a 242bhp 45 TFSI S tronic if you want some stout performance, or opt for the 194bhp 40 TFSI if you’re not fussed about 0-62mph times and would prefer to save a few grand. You could, instead, spend what you save on useful options such as the climate control-adding Plus Pack.
- For the best efficiency: The most efficient of the new Mk3 TTs is the base Sport 40 TFSI S tronic, which can average up to 41.5mpg on the WLTP test cycle. Audi also claims CO2 emissions as low as 154g/km. It’s not the quickest option but it’s still swift enough for most, dispatching the 0-62mph dash in 6.6 seconds. It’s also light, which some will appreciate, compared to the all-wheel-drive quattro models.
- If you want a manual TT: You’ll have to look at earlier used examples of the third-generation TT Coupe, as Audi has discontinued the manual option for new cars. There was plenty of choice on the manual front, however, as a six-speed manual was available in the 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI, 2.0 TDI ultra and 2.0 TTS quattro models – and you could get some of the later derivatives, such as the 40 and 45 TFSI, with a manual transmission as well.
- For maximum performance: A TT with the 45 TFSI engine option, S tronic and quattro will dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.2 seconds, which will feel quick to many. If you want more, the significantly more expensive 302bhp TTS will bring that time down to 4.5 seconds. If that’s still not quick enough, the range-topping 395bhp TT RS Coupe will punch from 0-62mph in a blistering 3.7 seconds.
