2020 Audi TT RS Review

　　

2020 Audi TT RS Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Audi TT RS is the ultimate version of the TT sports car. Armed with an exclusive 394-horsepower five-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, it can rip from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The TT RS also boasts a sharp-looking interior fitted with comfortable seats and much of Audi's latest technology.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the TT RS drive? The TT RS has thrilling performance, but best of all it's very predictable at speed. Acceleration is quick with strong and linear power delivery. Gear changes are fast and smooth. It handles sharp turns with precision and is easy to control. For a car that hits 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds, the TT RS inspires a lot of confidence in the driver.

　　As well, the car is very composed under braking. Our as-tested 60-0 mph stop of 105 feet is perhaps a little longer than the results from some similar sports cars, but it's respectable. Around town, the TT RS is maneuverable and easy to drive.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the TT RS? The TT RS has impressive seats that provide a good balance of support and long-distance comfort. They offer extendable thigh supports for the comfort of taller passengers.

　　Otherwise, though, comfort is not a strong suit. The TT RS has a stiff ride. The car jostles quite a bit over cracks and bumps in the road. We tested the Dynamic Plus version that does not have an adaptive suspension; having the adaptive suspension could help improve the car's ride quality. Worst of all, the TT RS is loud inside the cabin — even more than we expect from a sport coupe.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Don't plan on fitting four people inside with any regularity — the rear two seats are tiny. Up front, though, the TT RS cabin is plenty roomy even for taller passengers. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position thanks to good steering wheel adjustability, and outward visibility is a strong suit due to the positioning of the pillars and great rearward views.

　　Getting inside is surprisingly easy. The TT RS has a low roofline, but the sill you need to step over is fairly narrow. Once inside, the controls and steering wheel buttons are well placed. There is a learning curve to the virtual instrument panel since there is no central infotainment screen.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? We're fans of the Audi MMI infotainment system, and it works well on the TT RS. Its clear graphics are especially nice and there are several ways to operate it, including accurate voice activation. If you prefer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, they come with a Technology package that also includes standard navigation.

　　As far as safety technology, there isn't much to speak of in the TT RS. It comes with a blind-spot monitor and front and rear parking sensors but no advanced driver aids.

　　

Storage

6.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Keep your carry-ons to a minimum. There are few places to store items in the cabin, including one cupholder that isn't large enough for a smartphone. The center bin is small and holds one USB port inside. The cargo area isn't very big but at least the rear seats fold flat with the load floor.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates fuel economy at 23 mpg combined, which is above average for a sport coupe of this caliber. We achieved 25.8 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation loop.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the TT RS a good value? Build quality and material selection are strengths of Audi, and they pay dividends in the TT RS. The excellent construction creates a sense of occasion inside that should make passengers feel special. The price tag reflects that. Our test vehicle came to $80,000. Leaving some boxes unchecked will leave a well-equipped TT RS at about $70,000, but it's still steep. Audi's warranty coverage is typical for a luxury automaker.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　It's easy to have a blast in the TT RS. Even around town, the coupe sounds fantastic. And when you do step on it, the TT RS delivers in full measure. From a driving standpoint, it's a well-rounded package that does a reasonable impression of a baby R8.

　　The TT RS provides a full sports-car experience, even down to the uncomfortable ride. So if that sounds unpleasant to you, perhaps the softer TT or TTS is a better option. For others, the trade-offs are part of the charm. And the TT RS has more than enough charisma in the right conditions to make the juice worth the squeeze.

　　

Which TT RS does zzdcar recommend?

There's only one available trim for the TT RS, so you don't need to do a lot of shopping around. The optional Technology package for navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and the Dynamic package with its 20-inch wheels and black-tipped sport exhaust, are worth getting.

　　

2020 Audi TT RS models

The 2020 TT RS comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine (394 horsepower, 354 lb-ft of torque) matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard. Standard features include:

　　Adaptive suspension 19-inch wheels Leather and simulated suede-trimmed steering wheel Heated and power-adjustable leather front seats Digital gauge cluster display (Virtual Cockpit) Automatic climate control Front and rear parking sensorsMajor options include:

　　Technology package (navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, premium Bang & Olufsen sound system) Dynamic package (20-inch wheels with wider tires, sport exhaust) Audi Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) OLED taillights Electronic rear spoiler Fixed sport suspension

　　

2020 TT RS Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$67,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$201/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles