The 2016 Audi TT Roadster does a good job of straddling the line of sport car and a relaxed touring machine with good looks and an improved new interior that’s different than other cars on the market.

The new Audi TT is very responsive and its small size means it turns on a dime. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris Driving top down in the new Audi TT isn’t that loud. Use the wind blocker and most of the turbulence is gone. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris This is a small car so don’t expect tons of storage in the cabin but there’s space to store and lock up a phone or two. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris The NAV and radio screen is included in the virtual cockpit where the speedo and tach are located. After a time or two it becomes familiar and easy to use. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris With its low slung roadster looks and large 19-inch wheels, it looks the sporty part. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris The Audi TT is a clean look with not many add ons to ruin the lines. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris The Audi TT seats are comfortable with 12-way power adjustments. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris The Audi TT is a good car just to cruise and has the ability to tackle back roads with the best of them. (WTOP/Mike Parris) WTOP/Mike Parris ( 1 /8) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

WASHINGTON — The 2016 Audi TT Roadster does a good job of straddling the line of sport car and a relaxed touring machine with good looks and an improved new interior that’s different than other cars on the market.

Driving the new Audi TT is a treat. It’s very responsive and the small size means it turns on a dime. The ride is very good and with AWD this can be a year-round car if the summer tires are switched out when it gets cold.

The only engine for the roadster is a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with 220hp. It’s enough most of the time but an extra 15-20hp with a manual transmission would be a welcome addition. Driving top down isn’t that loud. Use the wind blocker and most of the turbulence is gone even at 65mph. You can even have a normal conversation with your passenger.

Gas mileage is also a plus. I managed 28.2mpg over 310 miles of mixed driving. That’s better than the 26mpg the sticker says. It’s a good car just to cruise and has the ability to tackle back roads with the best of them.

When this little Audi was first released some 15 years ago it had a different look and a cool interior with the baseball stitching on the leather of some models. Fast forward to now and it’s more luxurious inside. The optional S Sport seat package has seats covered in Nappa leather with diamond stitching and neck level heating to help on cooler top-down days. The seats are comfortable with 12-way power adjustments.

This is a small car so don’t expect tons of storage in the cabin, but there’s space to store and lock up a phone or two. The trunk is good for two to travel in with some bags. There’s a power soft top and when closed it’s pretty quiet and better than most soft tops. You can lower that roof on the move up to 31mph. I did raise it at about 20mph when I was caught in the rain. The top is quick, also.

This TT doesn’t have the usual screen and controls in the center of the dash. The climate controls are now included in the vents and easy to work. The NAV and radio screen is included in the virtual cockpit where the “speedo” and “tach” are located. I grew to really like this system but it’s very different at first. After a time or two it becomes familiar and easy to use.

The NAV screen can be maximized to take up most of the screen for better viewing. One kink, the volume control on the center console is a long reach from the driver’s seat and it’s positioned in a strange area.

It shares its good looks with the exotic Audi R8 and that’s a very smart move to help this loaded nearly $55,000 TT. With its low slung roadster look and large 19-inch wheels, it looks the sporty part. It’s a clean look with not many add ons to ruin the lines. A spoiler pops up at higher speeds and disappears when not needed. Top up or down this is a good looking car.

The new Audi wins me over as a fun escape from the normal daily routine where driving and exploring new places is more fun than highways and traffic. Just choose “avoid highways” on the NAV to start your escape.