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- Attractive styling
- Blend of driving comfort and performance
- Fuel economy
- Cargo space/hatchback utility in coupe
- Steering is too light and non-communicative
- Cramped rear seat on the coupe
- Heavier V6 engine
The sophisticated Audi TT is recommended by many reviewers, but not as a high-performance sports car. Instead, the TT is a stylish coupe or convertible that is an excellent everyday sporty car with comfort and respectable performance. Reviewers say the Audi TT's sleek exterior and upscale interior combine to exude an air of advanced automotive design like few other cars have achieved. The Audi TT is based on the Volkswagen Rabbit's front-drive platform, which prompts some critics to suggest buying the VW GTI (*est. $22,800 to $24,375), while others note that you can get a true rear-wheel-drive sports car for less money in the Nissan 350Z (*est. $28,120 to $41,500).
For shoppers who are captivated by the Audi TT's distinctive design, reviewers say the Audi's fine handling and responsive engines provides plenty of fun-to-drive entertainment. However, some critics specifically point out that the TT's steering is too light, and should be more communicative. The 200-hp turbo 4-cylinder engine is offered with front-wheel drive only, while the 250-hp V6 comes only with quattro all-wheel drive. Reviewers point out that the less expensive 4-cylinder turbo powertrain (EPA mpg: 23 city/31 hwy) gets better fuel mileage while offering almost as much performance as the more powerful, but heavier 3.2-liter naturally aspirated V6 (EPA mpg: 17 city/24 hwy).
Because the Audi TT is completely redesigned for 2008, and introduced halfway through 2007, there are plenty of reviews. Cars.com has its own well-balanced original review, and then includes 13 more expert reviews from newspaper auto writers and others. We found additional comprehensive road tests at Kelley Blue Book, The Car Connection, and other outlets.
Our Sources
1. Cars.com
Cars.com labels the Audi TT as a "Best Bet," and provides a comprehensive summary of what's new, plus likes and dislikes. Clicking on the "reviews" button reveals Cars.com auto writer Joe Wiesenfelder's lengthy and well-written review, plus 13 additional reports from a variety of auto writers.
Review: 2008 Audi TT Review, Editors of Cars.com
2. Edmunds.comDetails/Subscribe
Review: 2008 Audi TT Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
Marty Padgett provides a full summary also gives a few comparison points about the Audi TT's competition, noting that the Nissan 350Z and Mercedes SLK are viable alternatives in terms of sportiness and comfort, respectively.
Review: 2008 Audi TT Bottom Line, Marty Padgett
Editors of Kelley Blue Book cover each aspect of the Audi TT in good detail, listing their favorite features, drawbacks, notable equipment and similarly priced vehicles. The Audi TT gets praise for its combination of style, comfort and fun, but the Porsche Boxster/Cayman are listed as truer sports cars.
Review: 2008 Audi TT Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book
5. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
This article reviews four sports coupes: the 2007 Mazda RX-8 vs. 2007 Ford Shelby GT vs. 2007 Nissan 350Z vs. 2008 Audi TT. The TT, equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo 4, places second overall, losing the top spot to the Mazda RX-8.
Review: Four of a Kind, Michael Austin, June 2007
6. Automobile MagazineDetails/Subscribe
This road-test review samples all varieties of the Audi TT, and writer Jason Cammisa states, "The TT is a fantastic car. It's just not a sports car." The article provides an excellent summary, and while it does not compare the TT to other cars, it contains critical points as well as enthusiastic praise.
Review: 2008 Audi TT: Is it a Sports Car?, Jason Cammisa
In this overview of the 2008 Audi TT, writer Lawrence Ulrich notes that the new car seems more athletic than the old model, but still "remains limited by its nose-heavy nature" through tight curves.
Review: An Icon Remade, Lawrence Ulrich, Mar. 4, 2008
The 2008 Audi TT scores highly with BusinessWeek, earning writer Thane Peterson's title of "Best Sporty Roadster" of all the vehicles he drove in 2007. The article is a good overall review of the car, and mentions some of the competitors briefly.
Review: Audi's TT Doubles the Pleasure, Thane Peterson, July 30, 2007
ConsumerGuide.com rates each detail of the 2008 Audi TT, describing its pros and cons and listing its specifications and equipment. This review was based on a preview test drive rather than a longer term test vehicle, and seems less complete than other evaluations.
Review: 2008 Audi TT Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Mar. 13, 2008
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