Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Audi TT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mustang has standard Pre-Collision Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The TT doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Mustang’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The TT doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The TT doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The TT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the TT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

Warranty

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the TT. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the TT ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Ford dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

Reliability

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The TT doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the TT:

	Horsepower	Torque
Mustang 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Mustang 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	330 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8	450 HP	410 lbs.-ft.
Mustang Mach 1 5.0 DOHC V8	470 HP	410 lbs.-ft.
TT 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	228 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
TTS 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	288 HP	280 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang (base engine) is faster than the TT 45 TFSI (automatics tested):

	Mustang	TT
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	14.2 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback 10-speed Auto with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the TT 45 TFSI (22 city/32 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the TT (15.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the TT (16 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the TT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Mustang	Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1	TT 45 TSFI	TTS Coupe
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	15 inches	12.3 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	11.8 inches	12.2 inches

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the TT 45 TSFI are solid, not vented.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the TT:

	Mustang	TT
70 to 0 MPH	138 feet	157 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	94 feet	103 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TT (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 255/30R20).

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 8.5 inches longer than on the TT (107.1 inches vs. 98.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is .5 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the TT.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the TT 45 TSFI Coupe pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the TT 45 TSFI Coupe (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 24.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

The Mustang GT Premium Convertible executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the TT 45 TSFI Roadster (24.3 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .77 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The TT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The TT doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Mustang Convertible a Subcompact car, while the TT Roadster is rated a Two Seater.

The Mustang Fastback has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TT (82.8 vs. 74).

The Mustang Fastback has .5 inches more front headroom, 4 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the TT Coupe.

The Mustang Convertible has 1 inch more front headroom, 4 inches more front legroom and 2.7 inches more front shoulder room than the TT Roadster.

Cargo Capacity

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the TT Coupe (13.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the TT Roadster (11.4 vs. 7.5 cubic feet).

Towing

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The TT has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Mustang Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The TT doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist, and outside mirror angle. The TT doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The TT doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The TT does not have an oil pressure gauge.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Mustang detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The TT doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang has standard extendable sun visors. The TT doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The TT doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The TT doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mustang’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The TT doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Mustang offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The TT doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Economic Advantages

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $6738 to $22395 less than for the Audi TT.

Recommendations

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The TT has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Audi TT by almost 16 to one during the 2022 model year.