Compare the2023 Audi TTVS 2023 Ford Mustang

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 Ford Mustang doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 Mustang 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 Mustang 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 Mustang doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the TT and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems 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 Mustang’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 Mustang’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Audi TT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Mustang’s engines use 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 Mustang’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 12 places higher in reliability than Ford.

As tested in Motor Trend the TT 45 TFSI is faster than the Ford Mustang turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the TT gets better mileage than the Mustang Fastback:

On the EPA test cycle the TT gets better mileage than the Mustang Convertible:

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 Mustang doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The TT has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

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 Mustang 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 Ford Mustang is not available with all wheel drive.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The TT stops much shorter than the Mustang:

For better traction, the TT has larger standard tires than the Mustang (245/40R18 vs. 235/55R17).

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 Mustang’s standard 55 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 Mustang.

The TT 45 TSFI Coupe handles at .99 G’s, while the Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TT 45 TSFI Roadster handles at .99 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Convertible pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TT 45 TSFI Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback (24.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.1 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the TT’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The TT’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Mustang w/20” tires’ (36.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Audi TT may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 550 pounds less than the Ford Mustang.

The TT is 1 foot, 11.5 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the TT easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the TT 45 TSFI Coupe is quieter than the Mustang Mach 1:

The TT Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Mustang Convertible doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The TT uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mustang 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 Ford. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 27% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

The TT’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Mustang 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 Mustang can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the TT has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The TT’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Mach 1.

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 Mustang’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 Mustang has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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