The 2010 Audi TT ranks 8 out of 9 Luxury Sports Cars. This ranking is based on analysis of 41 published reviews and test drives of the Audi TT, and analysis of reliability and safety data. “The TTS is the best TT to date, and it has all those traditional TT virtues — brilliant looks, handsome cabin, and superb craftsmanship — in spades. Plus the poseurs, who want the additional credibility that comes with owning the finest TT of all, will love it more than ever,” writes Motor Trend.

The 2010 Audi TT is an attractive and luxurious everyday sports car. Though some of its rivals trump it in performance, most critics agree that the TT offers a pleasing balance of power, agility and luxury. “For many people in this market, the gorgeous Audi interior – especially with the lovely baseball-glove-style, stitched-leather option – combined with the TTS’s aggressive looks and powerful engine will make it a very attractive car. But we’d still sacrifice some of the Audi’s standard features for the pure, emotional feel of the long-standing king of the category, the Porsche Boxster.” — Automobile Magazine

Compared to other luxury sports cars, the new TT is no back road burner. However, taken as a whole, the TT makes a compelling choice. “Audi TT is a luxury tourer that’s closer to being a true sports car than the previous generation was, especially in TTS trim,” writes Consumer Guide. “While Porsche’s Boxster and Cayman might ultimately be sportier, the TT’s more civilized demeanor might be just the thing for more casual motoring.”

While the TT is an attractive package, shoppers in the market for more punch are better served looking elsewhere. The Boxster and Cayman, for example, offer more horsepower and sportier handling dynamics. And though many car shoppers will write them off as being too expensive, their starting price is actually close to that of the TTS.

Though the TT carries into the 2010 model year mostly unchanged, the 3.2 models have been discontinued. The 2010 TT is available in two trims – the base 2.0 and TTS — and two body styles, coupe and roadster (convertible).

Test drivers report that the TT’s combination of power and comfortable handling make it a sports car that’s easy to live with. Though competitors might offer better straight-line performance and sportier handling dynamics, few can match the TT’s total package of sports performance, ride comfort, and luxury.

Despite some reported turbo lag, test drivers find that the TT’s two engine choices operate smoothly and provide ample power. What’s more, both its manual and automatic transmissions work well with their powerplants.

The base-model TT 2.0 TFSI features a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine that produces 200 horsepower at 5,100 – 6,000 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque at 1,800 – 5,000 rpm. An S tronic six-speed automatic transmission is standard. According to Audi, the TT 2.0 has a top speed of 130 mph.

Introduced just last year, the TTS features a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine that generates 265 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 – 5,000 rpm. A manual six-speed transmission is standard, but an S tronic automatic is also available. Audi claims that the TTS has a top speed of 155 mph.