Used 2022 Audi TT

Thank goodness the 2022 Audi TT is still on sale. The idea of a premium compact sports car, even something as stylish and tech-rich as the TT, appears to run against the popular tide of crossovers, electric vehicles, and electric crossovers. But not every driver has to do the school run, ferry a ton of camping gear, or tow a boat to the lake.

Some of us want thrills behind the wheel and presence at the valet stand. We haven’t developed our own particular tastes only to pound the streets in the same ugly metal box as everyone else. The Audi TT doesn’t have mass appeal and is all the better for it. This is a car for a far more discerning crowd.

The range consists of the 2022 TT Coupe (perfectly fine), 2022 TT Roadster (the convertible version), 2022 TTS Coupe (getting warmer), and the TT RS Coupe (the hottest). This current third generation launched for the 2016 model year, just 12 months before the Porsche 718 Boxster soft-top and 718 Cayman hard-top. The latest BMW Z4 debuted for 2019. These rivals all have rear-wheel drive, though. Every TT comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

There’s nothing wrong with rear-wheel drive in a sports car. Many purists prefer it. But the 2022 TT deploys all-wheel drive because it helps put the verve into the curves in its own special way.

There’s plenty of punch in the most affordable TT Coupe, sharing a 228-horsepower engine with the Roadster. And the chassis is a well-tuned complement.

Every TT has a dual-clutch automated transmission. Don’t panic — there’s no third pedal to deal with. It’s operated like a typical automatic, or the driver can use shift paddles beneath the steering wheel to select gears. Again, a purist will praise the virtues of a manual transmission, but this unit still allows the driver to become involved.

Once we get to the TTS, everything becomes even more serious, with an adaptive suspension plus the ability to dash from standstill to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Make that 3.6 seconds for the TT RS.

The interior of any 2022 TT is a master class in how to put a lot into a small cabin, yet still keep it uncluttered, user-friendly, and still with strong design elements. Most of the tech centers around the Virtual Cockpit, and some controls are on the steering wheel, whose bottom is flat so drivers can slide their knees under more easily.

The front sport seats might be too snug for those who shop in the “big and tall” clothing section, but they do keep their occupants perfectly in place while zig-zagging through quick corners. And their leather surfaces are diamond-stitched for a touch of luxury. Everywhere in the cabin, the materials are all top quality.

Ambient LED lighting, brushed aluminum highlights, and stainless steel pedals sparkle in an otherwise close-fitting interior — this is a sports car, after all.

This year, the TTS becomes eligible for a Bronze package adding copper-colored stitching for the upholstery and shift lever boot, satin bronze interior touches, and bronze-finished 20-inch alloy wheels.

The hard-topped TT models have what’s known as a 2+2 seating arrangement. It means the front seats are for adults and the foldable rear seats are not really worth bothering with. We’re inclined to keep them folded and maximize the cargo space. The Roadster is a 2-seater with a 7.5-cubic foot trunk — certainly enough for one set of golf clubs, maybe two.

As an out-and-out driver’s machine, the 2022 TT doesn’t top the tables. Not even the superb TT RS. As a great-driving sports car with exceptional style, though, there’s arguably nothing to touch it.

There’s a hint of R8 about it, Audi’s 6-figure supercar. And the way the bigger wheels of the TTS and TT RS fill their wells looks just right.

Along with full LED exterior lighting, regular versions have dual exhaust outlets and a retractable spoiler that pops up at 75 mph. The TTS and TT RS have quad exhaust systems, and the latter has a fixed rear wing. These sportier versions also offer extra paint choices.

A Black Optic package is available on all variants, with anthracite-finished alloy wheels, high-gloss black exterior elements, and, um, red brake calipers.

VIRTUAL COCKPIT
This 12.3-inch, high-resolution, configurable driver information display could be called the centerpiece of the TT’s cabin. Except that it isn’t in the center, it’s right in front of the driver. This makes it easier to see navigation information and images from Google Earth — just one of this unit’s cool attributes. Learning how to use it is also a cinch.

QUATTRO
As even the most casual Audi fan is probably aware, Quattro (the name the company gives to its all-wheel-drive systems) is a big thing with the Four Rings. It’s been an integral part of the company’s illustrious motorsport history and continues to be developed and refined. As well as providing reassurance on slippery roads, it maximizes traction in the dry.

Typical trim levels don’t apply to the 2022 TT. All three variants are standalone cars, although the TT Coupe and Roadster have plenty of overlap.

Starting with the TT Coupe, standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, Nappa leather upholstery, heated sport front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, selectable driving modes, self-dimming rearview mirror with garage door opener, the Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The infotainment array includes navigation, a 12-speaker/680-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, handwriting recognition, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, wireless charging, and a phone signal booster.

Safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and front/rear parking sensors, but no forward-collision avoidance system.

Naturally, the TT Roadster has a power-operated fabric roof and extra rollover protection, plus neck-warming vents in the front seats, a wind deflector, and a microphone built into the driver’s seatbelt — so the infotainment system can still be controlled with voice commands even when the top is down.

The main options bundle for both the 2022 TT Coupe and TT Roadster is the S Line Competition Package. It brings 19-inch alloy wheels wearing summer performance tires, red-painted brake calipers, sport suspension, fixed rear wing, a Sport mode for the Virtual Cockpit, leather/Alcantara (simulated suede) upholstery for the front seats, and a few cosmetic changes.

Alternatively, buyers may choose the more powerful 2022 Audi TTS Coupe, with 20-inch alloy wheels and an adaptive suspension. Options for this model include a Competition package that adds red brake calipers, a fixed rear wing (in black), carbon-fiber cabin accents, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel covered in leather/Alcantara with a red marker at the top.

The 2022 TT RS is the most powerful variant, also with an adaptive suspension, a fixed rear wing, and that leather/Alcantara steering wheel. A fixed sport suspension is optional, but we recommend a test drive first to make sure it’s not unbearably firm.

Propelling both the regular TT Coupe and the TT Roadster is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The same kind of engine is boosted to 288 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque for deployment in the TTS Coupe.

It’s a more unusual configuration in the TT RS, an inline-5. Turbocharged, of course. This 2.5-liter engine develops a wonderful 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque.

In all cases, a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission sends energy to all four wheels. Regular gasoline is suitable for the 228-horsepower engine, while premium is recommended in the TTS and TT RS. For a sports car, fuel economy is pretty good, with average consumption in the mid-20s.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (TT Coupe/Roadster)
228 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (TTS Coupe)
288 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg (2021)

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 (TT RS)
394 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
354 lb-ft of torque @ 2,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (2021)