2022 Audi TTS Coupe

The TT first launched over twenty years ago and has been an iconic coupe ever since. Borrowing its 288-hp engine from the Golf 7 R, the Audi TTS isn't short on power. Of course, it's not as potent as the TTRS, but it's a decent middle ground between that and the regular model. It's an enjoyable car to drive thanks to its handling characteristics. The coupe offers an immaculate interior to boot, it's loaded with modern tech and luxurious standard features. Still, it's going to take a great deal of effort to outshine the likes of the Toyota GR Supra and the Porsche 718 Cayman.

The TTS is a beautiful and angry-looking thing, much like Margot Robbie in Wolf of Wall Street. The sharply designed LED headlights set off the gloss black honeycomb grille perfectly, adding to the menacing appearance of the coupe. The same design ethos continues at the rear in terms of sharpness, but the smooth flow of the horizontal lines gives the TTS that curvy posterior we've come to love, topped by an electrically deploying rear spoiler. Four chrome circles poke out of the diffuser to announce the coupe's performance focus and ten-Y-spoke 20-inch wheels are standard, with various others optionally available.

When we look at the size of the TTS, it is immediately clear that it is a fair amount smaller than rivals like the Porsche 718 Cayman and Toyota GR Supra. The TTS is 165 inches long, making it shorter than both of its mentioned rivals by a couple of inches. It rides on a 98.6-inch wheelbase and has a width of 72.1 inches excluding mirrors and a low-slung 53.3-inch height. Its compact dimensions allow it to boast a relatively light curb weight of 3,263 pounds, despite the standard quattro all-wheel drive.

There are still eight exterior colors to choose from for the Audi TTS, but they don't all carry over from last year. Ibis White and Turbo Blue are the only two standard hues that you can opt for; last year, Turbo Blue was an extra-cost hue and this year it's free. Pulse Orange, previously a standard color, isn't offered anymore. The other six can be had for an additional cost of $595 and they are all metallics. The range with extra sparkle includes Glacier White, Mythos Black, Daytona Gray Pearl, and Chronos Gray, the latter replacing the discontinued Nano Gray. Navarra Blue is new for this year. Tango Red metallic rounds the range off. If you opt for the new Bronze package, it can only be had with Chronos Gray, Glacier White, or Mythos Black paint. Audi also makes a host of exclusive special paint colors available upon request for $3,900.

The Audi TTS relies on a 2.0-liter four-pot that's the middle ground between the regular TT and the full-fat TTRS. The determined little coupe manages a run from 0 to 60 in just 4.4 seconds. We have its light disposition and standard all-wheel-drive system to thank for its eagerness off the line. Impressively, it's faster than both the GR Supra 2.0 and the 718 Cayman. The former gets to 60 mph in five seconds and the Porsche is also only slower by a couple of tenths. It's not so much about the TTS's scant run to 60 mph than it is about the attitude. The German coupe oozes confidence and is truly fun to pilot.

The TTS borrows its engine from the Volkswagen Golf 7 R, so you can expect a good amount of power from it. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder does not disappoint. It sends 288 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission exclusively. The absence of a manual transmission is somewhat disappointing but the intuitive seven-speed does really well at consoling those who would have otherwise preferred to manually row the gears. It's a smooth and quick set-up that makes driving the TTS a blissful task. The base engine of the 718 Cayman is a 2.0-liter turbo that produces 300 hp and 280 lb-ft which means it's more powerful than the TTS and there's the advantage of a standard six-speed manual transmission, so the Audi really has its work cut out for it.

The downside to MQB underpinnings is that while every model that uses the platform is comfortable and capable, they all tend to feel the same. That means that the TTS, like the VW Golf R, Audi S3, and any other MQB-based VW product, the TTS is relatively cold to drive. It's rapid, and the suspension is pliant, dealing with midcorner bumps with absolute composure, but the steering is numb and you never quite feel like you, as the driver, are an integral part of the process, but more than you're just along for the ride. However, while this criticism means it's not as thrilling to drive at five-tenths, it does mean the TTS is ideal to live with as a daily companion. The suspension isn't overly harsh, it doesn't track road camber and tramline excessively, and you aren't overloaded with stimuli every time you hit the road, meaning you could just as easily travel a thousand miles in a TTS as you could in an Audi Q3.

A benefit of these types of small turbocharged engines is that they're light on fuel for the most part. The Audi TTS returns EPA estimates of 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined. It is more frugal in terms of gas mileage figures in comparison to the Porsche Cayman's 2.0-liter turbo. The Porsche returns EPA estimates of 21/27/24 mpg. Unfortunately, the TTS is not the best performer in the segment. That title belongs to the GR Supra 2.0 that returns figures of 25/32/28 mpg. When the 14.2-gallon fuel tank is full, the Audi will allow for around 370 miles of range.

The interior of the TTS is proof that sometimes you can keep something simple and it'll still be gorgeous. Devoid of a center infotainment screen, all of Audi's tech is housed in the digital instrument cluster. All of the interior components are clad in upscale materials and the build quality of the interior is impeccable. It must be said that while the interior of the TTS is simple, that doesn't translate to it being spartan. The standard-fitted features are as generous as most would expect from a car that sits at this price point. The biggest flaw of the interior is that it's not as spacious as rivals, but its merits make up for that.

Audi claims that the TTS is capable of seating four occupants with two in the front and two in the back. Realistically, a self-respecting adult cannot hope to find a comfortable place to sit at the back of this bijou coupe. The front is far more accommodating though which means that the driver won't be short on any leg or headroom. Even if the rear seats can't really be used for passengers, they can still be used as an extra means of storage if the trunk is full. As standard, the TTS boasts twelve-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar support. Overall, the seating is comfortable and supportive enough for everyday use.

The interior of the TTS is filled with high-quality materials from leather to carbon fiber. No matter what option you choose, the inside will retain its minimalist and sporty appearance. There are several Fine Nappa leather upholstery options available in different colors. These include the Black, Rotor Gray, Black with red stitching and Express Red. The standard interior trim is brushed aluminum, and carbon fiber can only be opted for by ticking the box for the Competition package, in conjunction with the Express Red leather upholstery and specific exterior colors: Glacier White, Mythos Black, or Tango Red.

The TTS may be short on space for its rear passengers but it has quite a generous trunk. It's not truly practical, which is to be expected from a car in this segment, but it will easily manage luggage for two going away for the weekend. The TTS offers a 12 cubic foot trunk. The Cayman does have the upper hand in this department because it's got a 9.7 cubic-foot trunk and a 5.2-cube frunk. The rear seats in the TTS fold flat to allow for larger items in a pinch.

In-cabin storage is certainly manageable thanks to a moderately-sized glovebox and slim door pockets. Two cupholders are also standard.

The Audi TT may keep things simple on the inside, but it boasts an admirable amount of standard features. A power trunk, heated side mirrors, keyless entry and start, push-button start, and dual-zone climate control are included, along with twelve-way power-adjustable front seats and Fine Nappa upholstery. The front seats also offer four-way lumbar adjustment with heating. Ambient interior lighting and a multifunction steering wheel. Wireless charging is also on the list. In terms of safety features, the TTS is slightly disappointing, especially when you consider the driver-assist tech that's included in the package for some of its rivals. A rearview camera, park-distance control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert are the only standard features.

The infotainment set-up in the TTS is respectable despite the absence of a center infotainment screen. Audi has opted to inject all of its technology into the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the unit enables Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via Audi's smartphone interface. The suite also includes MMI navigation and a Bang & Olufsen 680-watt, 12-speaker sound system. HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth streaming are also part of the package, along with two USB ports. Two smartphones can be connected to the infotainment system simultaneously.

The 2022 Audi TTS hasn't been recalled as yet and neither has the 2021 or 2020 models. In terms of reliability, the TTS comes with a basic warranty that's valid for four years or 50,000 miles. The drivetrain warranty is available for the same time period and mileage limit. The corrosion warranty is valid for 12 years and roadside assistance is standard for four years.

The NHTSA hasn't published a review for the Audi TTS in terms of safety as yet. The IIHS hasn't given the Audi TTS any reviews either. This is because of the hefty price tag that is attached to the coupe, most would be hesitant to send over $60k into a wall at high speed.

This is an aspect of the TTS that could use some improvement. The coupe doesn't offer a whole lot of standard safety features, which is disappointing when you compare it to its rivals. An eight-airbag system is inclusive - front and side impact airbags as well as a knee airbag. The mediocre set of standard features is inclusive of a rearview camera, park-distance control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and cruise control.

The Audi TTS is an impressive car in many ways, but there are some downfalls to note. We used to dislike the infotainment set-up because it didn't offer much in the way of modern tech, but the 2021 model vastly improved this with the addition of smartphone integration and a navigation system as standard. We aren't impressed with the limited amount of standard features, as this is where it pales the most in comparison to rivals.

With those minor flaws noted, the TTS is a sports coupe that delivers on both comfort and performance focus. While it's not truly fire-breathing in the way the TT RS is, it's an eager little thing that will reward its owner with many fun journeys. The interior is filled with deluxe materials and is beautifully designed. Overall, the TTS deserves a spot on your shortlist if you're shopping within this segment.

With a single model in the lineup, the pricing of the TTS is relatively simple. The base price of the Audi starts at $60,200. This makes it slightly more affordable than the 718 Cayman ($60,500) and vastly more expensive than the Toyota GR Supra 2.0 ($43,190). The price of the Audi TTS coupe is exclusive of the $1,045 destination fee.

There is only a single Audi TTS model in the lineup and it is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 288 hp, transmitting its power through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to all four wheels via the quattro AWD system.

The TTS runs on 20-inch alloy wheels and has LED headlights, LED tail lights with dynamic turn signals, and an electrically deploying rear spoiler. Inside, it has Fine Nappa leather upholstery, heated and 12-way electrically adjustable front seats (including four-way lumbar support), keyless entry and go, push-button start, LED ambient interior lighting, brushed aluminum trim inlays, and dual-zone climate control. The infotainment system makes use of the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker B&O audio system. Safety features include eight airbags, a backup camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Audi does not make a whole lot of additional packages available for the Audi TTS. Last year's Black Optic package remains and adds Audi Sport five-arm-cutter 20-inch wheels, summer tires, red brake calipers, and gloss black exterior bits for $900. The Competition package adds black Audi Sport ten-Y-spoke alloy wheels with summer tires, gloss-black exterior trim, a fixed gloss-black rear wing, red brake calipers, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, and carbon-fiber interior inlays for $2,200. Finally, the new Bronze package includes bronze five-V-spoke 20-inch wheels with summer tires, gloss-black exterior trim, copper stitching on the Nappa leather, satin-bronze interior highlights, and Aluminum Drift interior inlays for $1,250.

With just one model available, choosing the TTS is really easy. Still, we'd spec it with the Daytona Gray Pearl metallic color for the exterior and the Express Red leather upholstery, resulting in an MSRP of $60,795. Alternatively, the new Bronze package looks really distinctive and will make your TTS stand out from the crowd for a relatively modest outlay that takes the final price of the TTS up to $62,045. This package can only be had with Glacier White, Chronos Gray, or Mythos Black and shows off the bronze wheels to best effect in Mythos Black.

The Audi TT and Audi TTS both host a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but the latter gets a tuned up 288-hp version of the 228-hp engine found in the former. Both share a similar interior set-up with the TT getting a somewhat understated version of the cabin found in the TTS. The latter has some additional interior options with red stitching and carbon fiber that give it a sportier edge. The TT also comes in a convertible form while the TTS does not. Ultimately, the right Audi for you will come down to whether you want to save that extra cash or splurge it on the extra performance and luxury that the TTS has to offer.

If the budget stretches to $72,500, the TT RS represents everything that has traditionally made sporting Audi great: a five-cylinder turbocharged engine and quattro all-wheel drive. For the sheer emotive appeal of the five-pot, it'd be worth it, so it doesn't hurt that the lump also catapults you to 60 mph in a scant 3.6 seconds. It's heavier on fuel, but who cares if you're willing to spend $70k-plus on a TT? It's the ultimate expression of the TT and has more presence, performance, and character than the TTS. It's the one we'd have.