2005 Audi TT Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

These 4-seat hatchback coupes and 2-seat convertibles come in front- and all-wheel drive with 4- and 6-cyl engines. Base TTs have front-wheel drive with traction control, a 180-hp turbocharged 4-cyl engine, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel buttons for manual shifting. The 225 models have Audi's quattro all-wheel drive, a 225-hp turbo four, and a 6-speed manual transmission. V6 versions have quattro, a 250-hp V6, and Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), essentially a clutchless manual transmission that can be set to shift like an automatic. All TTs include an antiskid system, front side airbags, and xenon headlamps. A power top with heated glass rear window is standard on 225 and V6 convertibles, optional for the base ragtop. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard; 225 and V6 models are available with 18s. Options include a navigation system.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and 4-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buy is the Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks include the BMW Z4, Chrysler Crossfire, and Mercedes-Benz CLK.

News

European sources expect a redesigned TT coupe to surface in fall 2005, a new-look convertible about a year later. U.S. timing is unclear, but we'd guess that both bodystyles will arrive here at the same time, perhaps by mid-2006 as early '07 debuts. Late intelligence says the new TTs will be much wider and a little longer than current models. Styling is said to be a somewhat edgier version of the current look, save the addition of Audi's big new "single frame" signature grille. U.S. engines will likely comprise a 200-hp turbo 4-cyl, as used in Audi's new A3 hatchback, and an uprated 3.2-liter V6 with some 260 hp. A twin-turbo 4-cyl with around 280 hp is rumored for later on. The new TT is also said to have a unique inner structure made largely of aluminum, replacing the current models' modified Volkswagen Golf/Jetta steel platform. Keep checking back with us for late-breaking news.

2005 Audi TT Road Test

Pros	Cons

Build quality	Noise

Handling/roadholding	Visibility

Interior materials	Rear-seat room

Acceleration	Rear-seat entry/exit

Available AWD	Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
6	7	7	7	8.1

Base models peppy enough, but acceleration doesn't do justice to TT's sports-car looks. The 225-hp models are suitably fast--6.2 sec 0-60 mph for test coupe--but as with base version, midrange power lacking until turbo boost kicks in. Test V6 coupe did 6.5 sec 0-60, but with markedly improved low and midrange response. Still, few testers convinced DSG transmission a good substitute for conventional manual or automatic. Manual mode works best in aggressive driving, while automatic mode suffers hesitant, slurred gear changes.

Fuel Economy

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
6	6	6	5	4.4

Test base TT averaged 23.6 mpg in mostly highway driving. Test 225 models averaged 16.4-23.4 mpg, depending on driving conditions. V6 coupe averaged 20.0 mpg, V6 convertible 21.1 mpg, both in mixed city/highway use. All require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
4	3	3	3	4

Par for small, firmly sprung sports cars. Base versions have best ride by slight margin, but all TTs are stiff enough to jolt over potholes, tar strips, and to jiggle a bit on freeways.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
8	9	9	9	8.6

Great twisty-road runner. Precise steering, minimal body lean, strong grip--quattros especially--and confident braking. Wide tires follow longitudinal pavement grooves too readily, though.

Quietness

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
2	3	2	3	3.9

Prominent exhaust noise, marked tire roar on some surfaces. Convertibles include a power-retractable glass windbreak that reduces top-down cockpit turbulence at higher speeds, but they're still noisier than comparable coupes.

Controls

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.2

Clear gauges, mostly user-friendly controls, but manual transmission's alloy shift knob can get too hot or too cold for comfort. Stylish cabin boasts high-quality materials, fine finish, nifty design details.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.6

Narrow footwells, but adequate head clearance for up to 6-footers. Low body build hampers entry/exit. Outward visibility restricted in ragtops, better in coupes than you might think.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
0	1	0	1	.4

Only coupes have a rear seat, and it's little more than a padded cubby, not even fit for toddlers.

Cargo Room

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
2	5	2	5	2

Coupes stow a couple's weekend luggage even with the split rear seatbacks up. Convertible trunk is small but useful. High liftover either way.

Value within Class

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
6	6	7	5	4.6

Any TT shines for solidity, interior dazzle, and road manners. Some rivals provide more power per dollar, but no sports car in the TT's price range offers the advantage of AWD. The DSG's compromised nature tarnishes the V6 just enough to make the 225-hp version the most-satisfying performance value in this line.

Total Score

Base conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	V6 cpe	Class Average
45	51	47	49	47.8

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		47
High Score		59

2005 Audi TT Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 08/28/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 2-door hatchback	$33,500	$30,910	$720

Base 2-door convertible	$35,500	$32,730	$720

225-hp 2-door hatchback	$36,900	$34,100	$720

225-hp 2-door convertible	$39,700	$36,648	$720

V6 2-door hatchback	$40,150	$37,137	$720

V6 2-door convertible	$43,150	$39,867	$720

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 180-horsepower engine, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control, limited-slip differential.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, roll bars (convertible), daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, height-adjustable front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat (hatchback), aluminum interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, rear defogger, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, power-retractable windbreak (convertible), floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, xenon headlights, headlight washers, 225/45ZR17 tires, fog lights, alloy wheels.

225 hp adds to Base:

Powertrain

1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 225-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power convertible top (convertible).

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: traction control.

V6 adds to 225hp:

Powertrain

3.2-liter turbocharged V6 engine, 6-speed sequential-shift manual transmission (SMT).

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
225 hp, Base, V6	$700	$637
Heated front seats, universal garage-door opener.

Powertrain
California/Northeast emissions
225 hp, Base, V6	$150	$150


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
225 hp, Base, V6	$1,350	$1,241


Audio Pkg.
225 hp, Base, V6	$1,200	$1,092
Bose premium sound system, 6-disc CD changer.

Power convertible top
Base convertible	$800	$728


Baseball optic leather upholstery
convertible	$1,000	$910


Alcantara steering wheel
225 hp, Base, V6	$300	$273


Cargo net
coupe	$105	$86


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
225 hp, Base, V6	$1,000	$910


Wheel locks
225 hp, Base, V6	$85	$70


7-spoke alloy wheels
225 hp, V6	$800	$728
Includes 225/40ZR18 tires.

9-spoke alloy wheels
V6	$1,700	$1,547
Includes 225/40ZR18 tires.

Forged alloy wheels
225 hp	$600	$546


225/45ZR17 all-season tires
225 hp, Base, V6	$0	$0

2005 Audi TT Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Audi TT 2-door hatchback	Audi TT 2-door convertible

Wheelbase, in.	95.4	95.4

Overall Length, in.	159.1	159.1

Overall Width, in.	73.1	73.1

Overall Height, in.	53.0	53.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	2921	3131

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	24.2	7.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5	14.5

Seating Capacity	4	2

Front Head Room, in.	37.8	38.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.2	41.2

Rear Head Room, in.	32.6	--

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	20.2	--

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	Turbocharged dohc I4	Turbocharged dohc I4	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.8 /107	1.8 /107	3.2 /195

Horsepower @ rpm.	180 @ 5500	225 @ 5900	250 @ 6300

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	173 @ 1950	207 @ 2200	236 @ 2800

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

6-speed manual	--/--	20/29	--/--

6-speed automatic	20/28	--/--	--/--

6-speed automated manual	--/--	--/--	22/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Audi TT 2-door hatchback	Audi TT 2-door convertible

Rollover Resistance	5	5

Side Impact, Driver	5	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	12/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	4/50,000	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Hungary

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2005 Audi TT Photos

Also in the 2005 Audi TT Review:

Audi TT

Audi TT Road Test

Audi TT Prices & Equipment

Audi TT Specs & Safety

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