Compare the2023 Audi TTVS 2023 Toyota GR86

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi TT have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Toyota GR86 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Audi TT has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GR86 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The TT has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GR86 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The TT has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GR86 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The TT has standard Parking System Plus to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The GR86 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The TT has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the GR86 Premium offers a blind spot warning system.

Both the TT and the GR86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The TT comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The GR86’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The TT’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GR86’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Audi TT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the GR86’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The battery on the TT is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the TT’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GR86’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The TT 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The TTS’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (288 vs. 228) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi TT is faster than the Toyota GR86 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the TT gets better mileage than the GR86:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TT (except RS)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GR86 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi TT uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GR86 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The TT has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR86 (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TT has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GR86 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Audi TT comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GR86.

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Audi TT, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GR86.

The TT offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GR86 doesn’t offer an SMG.

All wheel drive, available in the TT, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Toyota GR86 is not available with all wheel drive.

The TT RS’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GR86 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the TT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR86:

The TT RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The GR86 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The TT stops shorter than the GR86:

For better traction, the TT has larger standard tires than the GR86 (245/40R18 vs. 215/45R17). The TT’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR86 (255/30R20 vs. 215/45R17).

The TT 45 TSFI’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR86’s standard 45 series tires. The TT’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the GR86 Premium’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TT 45 TSFI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR86. The TT’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the GR86 Premium.

The TT has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GR86; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The TT has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GR86’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The TT offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The GR86’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TT is 2.1 inches wider in the front and .1 inches wider in the rear than on the GR86.

The TT 45 TSFI Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the GR86 Premium pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the TT 45 TSFI Coupe is quieter than the GR86 Premium:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the TT Coupe a Subcompact car, while the GR86 is rated a Minicompact.

The TT Coupe has .1 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the GR86.

The TT Coupe has a much larger trunk than the GR86 (12 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The TT Coupe’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The GR86’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox and standard locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the TT. The GR86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The TT uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GR86 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

The TT’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GR86 has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

If the windows are left open on the TT the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GR86 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TT’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GR86’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the TT to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GR86 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the TT is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The GR86’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The TT’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GR86 doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The TT’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The GR86’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi TT has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GR86 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Audi TT comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Toyota GR86 isn’t available as a convertible.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi TT, based on reliability, safety and performance.