Audi TT Roadster Review & Prices

For a long time, the Audi TT Roadster wasn’t considered a proper sports car, but this latest model proves it isn’t just a car for those who fancy pottering around town with the roof down. It’s now a genuinely sporty alternative to the likes of the new BMW Z4 and the ageing Mercedes SLC.

In standard Sport guise, the latest Audi TT Roadster comes in some new paint colours and with some chunkier side skirts than the old car. If that all seems a bit subtle, you should consider upgrading to an S-Line or Black Edition model to get some bigger alloy wheels and the same ground-hugging bumpers as the faster TTS Roadster with some neat contrasting air intakes.

Step inside, and spotting where this new Audi TT Roadster differs from the old car is even trickier. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, because everything feels impeccably well-built and it’s all dead easy to use – including the 12-inch digital driver’s display which you get as standard.

Unlike the BMW Z4’s cabin which looks very similar to that in many other BMWs, the Audi TT Roadster has its own distinct character so you won’t ever feel like you’re sitting in an A3 with its roof cut off.

The lack of back seats is another dead giveaway that the TT Roadster isn’t just a soft-top hatchback – as is its rather tiny boot. That being said, its load bay is still big enough for a suitcase and a couple of soft bags so you can quite happily use the Audi TT Roadster for a long weekend away.

You’ll be happy to spend a few hours in the Audi TT Roadster on the way to your weekend getaway, too. It’s impressively comfortable for a small two-seater sports car and you won’t hear a great deal of wind or tyre noise with the roof up. Sure, it doesn’t come with as many high-tech driver assistance systems as the BMW Z4 but head off the motorway and it’s still great fun to drive on a twisty backroad.

It’s nowhere near as wide as the broad-shouldered BMW which helps it feel lighter and more nimble on very narrow roads. Four-wheel-drive models have absolutely loads of grip which gives you plenty of confidence in slippery conditions and the automatic gearbox you get as standard in almost every Audi TT Roadster responds quickly to the paddles on the steering wheel.

Sure, none of the TT Roadster’s 2-litre petrol engines has the grunt of the BMW’s 3-litre six-cylinder unit, but if it’s outright pace you’re after, there’s always the 306hp TTS Roadster to consider.

If you’re not an especially keen driver, however, the standard Audi TT Roadster will be more than nippy enough to put a great big grin on your face on a quiet country road. And, as an added bonus, it’ll cost less to run, too. On the subject of saving money, why not check out our latest Audi TT Roadster deals and used Audi listings, and find out how you can sell your car through carwow.