2012 Audi TT Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Audi TT review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 TT, and includes Audi TT safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Audi TT is an entry-level luxury sports car equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. Available in coupe or convertible format (Audi calls the latter body style a roadster), this is an uncommon choice and an interesting alternative to models such as the BMW 1 Series, Cadillac CTS Coupe, Infiniti G Coupe, and Volvo C70.

Aside from the introduction of the new TT RS model (see separate review), Audi has made no official announcements regarding changes to the standard TT Coupe and Roadster. As such, these TTs carry over from 2011 without modification.

The 2012 Audi TT lineup is sold as a coupe or a roadster in a choice between Premium Plus or Prestige trim. Coupes have a small back seat that folds to expand cargo capacity, while the TT Roadster is a two-seater with a fabric folding top and a ski pass-through from the trunk to the interior. Audi also offers a more powerful TTS version of both cars, and if you’re interested in reading about the TTS, see our separate review for that car.

For the standard TT Coupe and Roadster, Premium Plus trim includes 10-way power adjustable sport seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara, real aluminum trim on the dashboard, automatic climate control, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and an Audi Concert sound system with a CD/MP3 player, auxiliary audio input jack, and satellite radio. A flat-bottomed, tilt-and-telescopic, multi-function steering wheel includes controls for the stereo, and the TT is equipped with a standard information center with a trip computer, a compass integrated with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a programmable HomeLink remote control. As would be expected of any car wearing a luxury badge, power windows with one-touch operation, power door locks with remote keyless entry, and floor mats are also included in the starting price.

Beyond these basics, the 2012 Audi TT is made for four-season fun thanks to standard Quattro all-wheel drive backed up by heated windshield washer nozzles, rain-sensing wipers, power heated side mirrors, Xenon Plus headlights, LED running lights, and fog lights. And though the standard 18-inch alloy wheels are equipped with performance tires right out of the factory, it’s easy enough to swap snow tires on when the white stuff flies.

Options for the TT include premium Nappa or Baseball Optic leather, heated front seats, an Audi MMI Navigation Plus system with an Audi Music Interface system, and a wheel upgrade. Audi also offers a sporty S-Line Package with 19-inch wheels, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, sport seats with Alcantara inserts, brushed aluminum doorsill plates, headlight washers, and revised front and rear styling. The available magnetic ride control suspension with Sport program perfectly complements the S-line treatment.

The Audi TT Prestige model includes Fine Nappa leather, heated front seats, and a navigation system. The reason to upgrade to the Prestige model is gain access to the standard Bose AudioPilot premium sound system, rear parking sensors, and LED ambient cabin lighting. Extra-cost upgrades for this model include fancier wheels, a magnetic ride control suspension, an S-Line Package, Baseball Optic leather, and an Audi Music Interface system.

A direct-injected, turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard for the 2012 TT, making 211 horsepower at 4,300 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm to 4,200 rpm. Audi’s S-tronic automated dual-clutch manual transmission works just like an automatic because there’s no clutch pedal and no requirement to manually change the gears, and it feeds power to the standard Quattro all-wheel drive system. Fuel economy ratings are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, and the TT’s turbo engine requires premium fuel.

Dual front, dual side, and dual knee airbags are standard on the 2012 Audi TT, along with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, a stability and traction control system, and hill-hold assist. Rain-sensing wipers are standard, and the TT can be equipped with rear parking assist sensors.

Because the Audi TT is sold in small numbers, there’s little in the way of safety and reliability data to reference. Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has performed crash tests on the Audi TT, and Consumer Reports is offering no guidance this year in terms of reliability predictions. That leaves us with a reliability prediction from J.D. Power and Associates, which most recently estimated that long-term dependability would be average for this model.

To provide added confidence, Audi guarantees each TT with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty that includes free roadside assistance as well as the first scheduled service stop, as long as it is completed during the first year or 5,000 miles of ownership.

With its two small rear seats folded down, the Audi TT Coupe can hold 24.7 cubic-feet of cargo. That’s generous, but so is trunk space if you’ve got rear passengers along for the ride. Raise the back seats, and the TT’s trunk measures 13.1 cubic-feet of volume, almost as much as the flagship Audi A8.

If the Audi TT seems a little bit heavy at 3,153 pounds, the weight doesn’t adversely affect acceleration. Audi claims the TT, which comes standard with Launch Control for speedy off-the-line response, can squirt to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds (5.6 seconds for the TT Roadster).

Stylish and, in TT Coupe format, moderately practical, this Audi is fun to drive and a great choice for buyers seeking a sporty car that can shrug off bad weather. Even if you live in a sunny, warm climate, the convertible model is an uncommon selection that stands out from the crowd. Even though Audi’s entry-level sports car is five years old, we think it still looks, feels and drives great.

-- By Christian Wardlaw