Review
/5
- Pros:
- Cabin quality and style
- Well insulated, quick to fold roof
- Diesel model's low running costs
- Cons:
- No rear seats
- Small boot
- Sportier versions not as comfortable
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The TT Roadster offers excellent quality, powerful engines, prestige, and a well-judged blend of comfort and driving fun."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 2.0 TDI quattro Black Edition Roadster 2dr
£33,540 - The cheapest
- 1.8 TFSI Roadster 2dr
£25,325 - The fastest
- 2.5 TFSI quattro S-tronic 2dr
£49,180 - Top of the range
- 2.5 TFSI quattro S-tronic 2dr
£49,180
Advertisement
The Audi TT Roadster faces stiff competition from cars that feature more modern electric folding hard tops. However, Audi's electric fabric roof is quicker to fold down, and occupies a smaller space in the boot once stowed - which doesn’t harm luggage space as badly. The TT Roadster is a strict two-seater, as it loses the two rear seats of the TT coupe, but shares its excellent quality and cabin design, powerful engines, prestige, and a well-judged blend of comfort and driving fun.
Drive
Accurate steering and agility
The TT Roadster blends accurate steering and agility with good comfort. With the roof down, the Roadster does a good job of keeping wind from swirling around the cabin - even at motorway speeds - making it a relaxed summer cruiser. Even the range-topping high-performance TT S and TT RS models are available as Roadsters, although it's the 2.0 TDI diesel that makes the most sense. It offers 51.4mpg fuel economy, while being quick, refined and quiet.
Comfort
Seats are comfortable
Like the TT coupe, the Roadster's seats are comfortable, and there's plenty of steering wheel height and reach adjustment. Adaptive suspension is available as an option, and this gives the car a sportier driving feel at the flick of a switch. It's a good system, but is expensive, although the TT Roadster is perfectly comfortable without it.
Reliability
Audi’s reputation for build quality is deserved
Audi's reputation for solid build quality and reliability is well deserved - few cabins have switchgear and materials that feel as good to touch. That said, TT owners are known to have reported various niggles, including problems with rear screens. The car came 27th of 100 in the Driver Power survey 2010, below a number of more ‘mainstream’ models.
Practicality
Cabin feels spacious with the roof up or down
The TT Roadster has a small cabin, but it feels spacious with the roof up or down. And although the boot is small, at 250 litres, it's adequate for a couple of large holdalls.
Value for money
TT Roadster has some of the best residuals of any new car
TT Roadsters are more expensive than their coupe counterparts, but if you want the entry-level TT, the 158bhp 1.8 TFSI, you can only get it as a Roadster. It still gets alloy wheels and air-conditioning, but misses out on leather upholstery. As with the coupe, the TT Roadster has some of the best residuals of any new car on sale.
Running costs
The 2.0 TFSI is powerful, but can return over 40mpg
Opt for the 2.0 TDI diesel, and you’re laughing where fuel economy is concerned: it will return over 50mpg - not bad for a prestige convertible. Low emissions mean it's reasonable to tax, too. Further up the range, the 208bhp 2.0 TFSI petrol model is powerful, but returns over 40mpg with it. You’ll be lucky to see more than half that if you go for the TT RS Roadster.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
