Acceleration

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
6	7	7	7	8.2

Base models are peppy enough, but their 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 lags until turbo boost kicks in. Test 250-hp coupe did 6.5 sec 0-60, but its V6 provides markedly better low-speed and midrange response than the turbo 4-cyl. But few testers view Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox as a good substitute for a conventional manual or automatic transmission. Manual mode works best only in aggressive driving, while automatic mode suffers hesitant, slurred gear changes.

Fuel Economy

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
6	6	6	5	4.2

Test base TT averaged 23.6 mpg in mostly highway driving. Test 225 models averaged 16.4-23.4 mpg, depending on driving conditions. Test 250 coupe averaged 20.0 mpg, convertible 21.1 mpg, both in mixed city/highway use. All require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
4	3	3	3	4.3

On 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

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
8	9	9	9	8.5

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

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
2	3	2	3	4.1

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

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.3

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)

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.7

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)

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
0	1	0	1	.7

Only coupes have a rear seat, and it's little more than a padded cubby, unfit even for toddlers.

Cargo Room

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
1	7	1	7	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

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
6	6	7	5	4.5

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 available all-wheel drive. The compromised performance of its sequential manual transmission tarnishes the 250-hp model just enough to make the 225-hp version the most-satisfying performance value in this line.

Total Score

180-hp conv	225-hp cpe	225-hp conv	250-hp cpe	Class Average
44	53	46	51	48.5

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		48
High Score		58