2018 Audi TTS Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What’s new

　　Front and rear parking sensors are now standard on the TTS, while the previously stand-alone Bang & Olufsen sound system has been folded into the Technology package. The premium leather seating is now paired with an extended leather option to form the S Sport Seat package. Upgraded, two-tone leather upholstery can now be ordered via the Audi Exclusive program.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Since it broke onto the scene in 2000, the Audi TT has consistently impressed us with its distinctive design and weather-beating, all-wheel-drive traction. Traditionally less impressive has been the car's performance, but there's a lot to like on that front with the 2018 Audi TTS, too.

　　In TTS guise, the car comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Quad exhaust tips, aluminum exterior accents, aero enhancements and more aggressively bolstered seats with contrast-color stitching round out the upgrades over the regular TT.

　　Besides its styling, the TTS is also distinctive in the way it lines up in the marketplace. It's smaller and lighter than similarly priced coupes such as the BMW 240i and the Mercedes-Benz AMG C43. However, it's not as roomy inside as those cars. Audi also offers viable alternatives in its own house: the related S3 sedan or the bigger S5 coupe. You might even consider the Volkswagen Golf R, which is the hatchback version of the TTS and S3.

　　Ultimately, buying a TTS still comes down to how much you like the car's styling. But at least with the 2018 car, you'll know that it's got the performance credentials as well.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Stylish as ever, the 2018 Audi TTS also has a lot to offer driving enthusiasts. Its 292 horsepower provides impressively quick acceleration, and standard all-wheel drive boosts performance-based traction and ability for the TTS to be an all-season daily driver.

　　

Trim tested

　　zzdcar has not yet driven any version of this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

　　

Driving

　　If the standard TT is any indication, the TTS will feature an excellent quick-shifting gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system that will keep it glued to the ground. According to Audi, the estimated zero-to-60-mph time is 4.6 seconds, which is about a second quicker than the TT.

　　

Comfort

　　The standard seats have firm, comfortable cushions, adjustable lumbar and plenty of lateral support. In its Comfort setting, the suspension is compliant enough to smooth over smaller road imperfections. Combine these qualities with the quiet cabin and you've got a coupe suitable for long trips.

　　

Interior

　　The TTS' low-slung nature will make it difficult for some to gracefully enter and exit, but it feels roomy inside even for taller passengers. The thin roof pillars make it exceptionally easy to see out of. Don't think you're buying a true four-seater; the backseats are basically useless.

　　

Utility

　　Standard trunk space measures 12 cubic feet. Fold the rear seats and the cargo area will swallow two golf bags. Interior stowage is sparse, limited to modest door pockets, a small covered bin and armrest space shared with a flip-down second cupholder.

　　

Technology

　　Most Audis use a central display screen, but the TTS' infotainment display is entirely contained within the digital instrument panel (Audi's Virtual Cockpit). Drivers can navigate its menus using buttons on the steering wheel or the controller just aft of the shifter.

　　

Which TTS does zzdcar recommend?

　　Like the other vehicles in the TT range, the 2018 Audi TTS is sold in a single trim level with a ton of standard features. It's worth springing for the Technology package since it's not too pricey and adds a high-end Bang & Olufsen sound system and a navigation system with seriously attractive graphics. The S Sport Seat pack is another reasonable upgrade if you prefer full leather seating over the simulated-suede seat inserts.

　　

2018 Audi TTS models

　　In a nutshell, the 2018 Audi TTS coupe is a sportier, more powerful variant of the normal TT. It technically offers seating for four, though the backseats are so small that even children might find them too confining. It's offered in a single, well-equipped trim level with few available extras. Motivating the TTS is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (292 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque) that delivers power to all four wheels via a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. The extreme TT RS is reviewed separately.

　　The Audi TTS' standard features include 19-inch wheels with summer performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension (compared to the regular TT) with adaptive dampers, LED headlights and taillights, automatic wipers, heated and power-folding side mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and keyless entry and ignition.

　　Inside, you get a virtual gauge cluster (in lieu of a central display screen), Audi's MMI infotainment system with touchpad capability and voice control, automatic climate control, LED ambient lighting, a tilt-and-telescoping sport steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, Audi Drive Select adjustable drive settings, leather and simulated-suede upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats (with four-way power lumbar adjustment and power side bolsters), folding rear seatbacks, Bluetooth and a nine-speaker sound system with a CD/DVD player, an SD card reader, satellite radio and two USB ports.

　　The TTS has three optional packages. The Technology package adds blind-spot monitoring, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Audi Connect telematics (with 4G Wi-Fi hotspot capability and online services) and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Black Optic package adds 20-inch wheels and high-gloss black exterior treatments. The S Sport Seat package adds upgraded leather upholstery and additional leather trim.

　　Red-painted brake calipers, 20-inch wheels and two-tone upholstery are the only stand-alone options.

　　

2018 TTS Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$52,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$191/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles