2021 Audi TT RS Review

　　

2021 Audi TT RS Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　For more than 20 years, the Audi TT has been one of the most stylish sport coupes on the market, with a sharp but clean design that doesn't look like anything else on the road, save for a few other Audis. The 2021 TT RS coupe is the pinnacle of the third-generation TT's lineup. It uses a powerful turbocharged inline-five cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, a layout shared with the iconic Audi Quattro race car from the 1980s (though it lacks the Quattro's racing pedigree). Like the regular TT coupe, the TT RS has a comfortable and well-appointed interior as well as small but occasionally useful back seat.

　　There are a handful of other small performance coupes that the TT RS competes with. The BMW M2, Porsche Cayman and Toyota GR Supra are all similar in size and performance, though all three cost significantly less than the TT RS. There's also the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray as well as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger if you're willing to sacrifice luxury appointments for raw performance. Audi's own RS 3 offers similar performance to the TT RS, with the added utility of a real back seat and trunk. There's a lot to like about the TT RS, but the price makes it a car aimed at Audi enthusiasts. Read our Expert Rating below for the full breakdown on all the TT RS's hits and misses.

　　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.

　　The car is also 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, and the adaptive suspension could 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 you're 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 smartphone integration systems, 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 blind-spot monitoring 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 24 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 bring 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?

This is fairly straightforward since the 2021 Audi TT RS only comes in a single trim level. Options are generally limited to appearance packages, though we do recommend ponying up for the sport exhaust if only to hear this wonderful engine even more.

　　

2021 Audi TT RS models

The 2021 Audi TT RS is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine (394 horsepower, 354 lb-ft of torque). It's paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. While the standard Audi TT is available as a convertible, the TT RS only comes as a coupe.

　　TT RS Coupe

　　As there's only one trim level, the TT RS comes well equipped from the get-go. Standard features include:

　　LED headlights and taillights Keyless entry with push-button start Automatic climate control Digital instrument cluster Wireless charging pad with phone signal booster Bang & Olufsen audio system Navigation Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)RS-specific features include:

　　20-inch wheels with summer performance tires Adjustable magnetic suspension Red brake calipers Fixed rear spoiler Revised front and rear bumpers Rear diffuser Leather- and faux suede-wrapped steering wheel Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats with Nappa leatherOnly a few options are available on the TT RS, including:

　　Sport exhaust system RS fixed sport suspension Retractable rear spoiler OLED taillights

　　

2021 TT RS Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$72,500
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