Yes and yes.

The S is more because the S compares directly to the LE (only about $500 more), not the L, which is the stripped down base model.

L compared to LE/S?
15" steel wheels
No remote
No backup camera
No automatic climate control
No cruise control

 

How do you feel about the differences between these two models?

I'm going to give a general answer to this question, as it can apply to any situation where you're comparing the top trim level of a car, vs, the base trim line.


I have always liked cars that were higher up on the trim-level scale. They usually look more complete, they have a sharper/sportier look, have different (better?) lights, body-colored bumpers, side-trim, side-mirrors, larger diameter wheels (as opposed to steel wheels with plastic wheel covers), leather interior, upgraded audio, more electronic assist functions, etc.. To me, base cars look like just that, basic. I think they look like they had content removed, or left off, in the interest of lower price, and to some people, it may make them feel that they couldn't afford more.

The S is more money, is it worth it?

Well, this depends. What's your priority? Do you have a strict budget that you need to keep? Do you want a sporty/nicer looking car that you may or may not add on to, or would you be fine with A-to-B transportation? How important is it to you to have the above listed features? Can you do without some of them? Do you think you'll get anything out of buying a higher-trim car?

Also, is the CVT pretty good on this car?

I'm a little over a month in, but from what I'm seeing, and the enthusiasm, and adoration, displayed by the owners on this site, it seems that you probably don't have to worry about anything.


Good luck with your purchase decision.

 

L is basic for the money, including a 4AT. S is more equipped (including back up camera) with a different fascia and allegedly slightly sportier suspension adjustment.
The CVT is pretty good (lower RPM = quieter ride, better MPG) and any trend of complaint has yet to appear years after introduction.
I'd say the difference in price VS equipment and value is absolutely worth it.
But to me, unless one wants a manual, or the option of rear discs, paddle shifting or softex seats - and, of course the different fascia - I'd say the LE is the better value.

 

And you can still get the manual in the S, which happens to be a VERY good value and is basically an S-Premium without the Softex power/heated seats.
It has the premium Entune, moonroof... $1500 less than the Premium.

The S-Plus (CVT) with the same options (convenience package) is $800 less than the Premium.

 

Speaking as somebody who has an L, it gets my vote. I was Under 15K out the door with extended warranty.
I have a neighbor with an S that has very similar driving habits, and I get about 1.7mpg better(calculated) so at least in our case, the CVT is NOT an advantage

I added both cruise and keyless entry for under $50, so that cost is negligible.
I would enjoy some more comfortable seats, but the ones I have are tolerable.
And frankly, the smaller wheels and tires fall right in the cheap mantra for the car. I can get new tires for $60@ installed....vs the low profiles on the upgraded models.

Just my .02, but being as I wanted a cheap, comfortable car, that gets at least upper 30's MPG , even with winter blend...I think I'm good with my decision.

 

I have a neighbor with an S that has very similar driving habits, and I get about 1.7mpg better(calculated) so at least in our case, the CVT is NOT an advantage

Good part of it also goes with driving habits but bigger wheels on S kills a bit of MPG, just as between LE Eco plus vs my LE Eco base with the same 15 wheels than your L.
"Small" wheels, especially with hubcaps triggers a panic attack for some >but they also come with the benefit of a more comfy ride !

How is the ride comfort on these cars?Elbow room etc???

Not sporty but very composed and comfortable ride. And that's despite roads full of potholes here. I have yet to hear the suspension knocking.
Good sound insulation but road noise could be a little better. 1700 rpm at 70mph with CVT also help.
Actually, not that far from a Camry. And the same goes for interior dimensions (except in width, of course).

 

How is the ride comfort on these cars?

Elbow room etc???

They're offering 0 down and cheap for leases right now (at least in my town).

 

My wife has commented more than once that our 2016 S-Premium is much nicer than her friend's 2004 Camry.

I'm 6'3" about 250, my wife is shorter and wider 0 with severe back and knee issues (I have to take her along to get the good parking spots!)
We have no issues with fitment... elbow, head, or ass room.

While the 10th and 11th Gen Corollas have a lot of parts in common in the suspension, the interior is more roomy and the doors are more ergonomic.
I can not comfortably get in and out of a 10th Gen.

Some of the youtube reviews are a mixed bag of "less than stellar", primarily because the reviewer is expecting a Civic Si, and they are getting a "baby Camry"

 

Can anyone compare the overall quality and comfort to a Lancer (for example).

 

I can, in a weird way, as I test drove all vehicles in this class when shopping, including the Mistubishi Lancer.

In short, the Lancer offered very little value, you couldn't even get a backup camera at the highest trim. The interior as whole just felt generally cheap as it is all a very dark interior consisting of hard plastics. The Lancer was essentially dropped from my list of potential vehicles before I even took it for a test drive. It drove nicely, but offered nothing to make up what it lacked in value and quality.

As for the Corolla and its comfort. I have the Corolla S w/ Technology Package (Canadian eh!), it is fully loaded, equivalent to the S Premium you have in the US.

The comfort and ride is top notch. We are a two vehicle family, the Corolla replaced my 07 Dodge Caliber (eesh!) and our other vehicle is a Dodge Grand Caravan. Until purchasing the Corolla the Van was our regular family driver, the Caliber was not comfortable for my children (4 and 7) due to lack of leg room. The Corolla is my vehicle for commuting to and from work, and the van is my wife's vehicle. So it's certainly nice to have something that offers great gas mileage and comfort for all passengers.

The value and quality of the Corolla trumps all on the market when you start looking at what each trim level for each vehicle offers and the associated price. To get all that my Corolla offers in a Mazda3 I'd need to go to the top of the line trim level, which comes with a larger engine, with an OTR price that was more costly than the Corolla by over $2,000. This pricing was based on an "invoice pricing" promotion a local Mazda dealer was advertising at the time. Then consider the financing rates between Toyota and Mazda, and the Corolla became even more valuable.

In the end of all the vehicles in this class I test drove, my short list consisted of the Corolla, Elantra, and Forte. Today the Civic would likely be in that list since it's redesign for 2016, I really disliked the dual tier dash they had in the previous model design.

 

to me the S was not worth the extra $ at all. The L gives me everything I really wanted....and all I really require is a manual transmission. I also love my mpg's and knew the L would do better there.

 

I like the LE+ model (USA) I got the LE but would have purchased the LE+ if they had one in the color I wanted. I got the LE base model and love the whole car. I love the CVT (so far) and love everything else about the car. I am 6'2" 250 pounds and fit fine. No problem. I love the way it rides, the way it feels to drive, the quality for the money. (value) and know the resale value will be there when I part with it.

It won't have as much resale value as my last Toyota (a Tacoma) but all Toyotas hold value well. I like this car a lot, and when compared with any similar car besides a Civic, It will win. If the Civic had been cheaper I might have gone that way. Honda and Toyota make good cars.

The LE+ and some S models have some tech you will probably never use. The LE has plenty of tech. The AUTO climate control is great! The electric steering is great, all the tech is good or great.

 

I still don't get the dual zone thing on the Rav.
I guess with the console it might allow one side to put a little more heat on the feet... but if wife is having a hot flash and I'm freezing, is it going to kill the dash vents on my side while she puts her side into Mrs Freeze mode?

I had dual-zone on my '06 Silverado, but it took that Duramax so long to get up to temperature that we just used the seat heaters instead of the blower.

 

I wanted a blue crush S Premium, but could not find one. Then a dealer offered me a really great deal on my 2015 S+ w/driver convenience and moonroof, so that was close enough.

I would not own anything less than S+ personally. All Corollas are great cars, but the S+ and S Premium are the standouts in terms of appearance. They also have nicer gauges and seats. Everyone compliments the rims, as well.

We're at a little over 36,000 on ours. We've added upgraded speakers, remote start, tints, LED brake/tails/plate/reverse lights. Our other car is a 2012 G37, and the Corolla is actually more comfortable. We're taking a 1,000 mile trip in 3 weeks and are taking the Toyota.

 

Our other car is a 2012 G37, and the Corolla is actually more comfortable. We're taking a 1,000 mile trip in 3 weeks and are taking the Toyota.

Toyota- the pursuit of perfection!

Ya baby! :wink:

 

No the "S" is not worth it. There is nothing on the "S" that anyone has to have. It is all about want, not need. As to the CVT they are sluggish. If you are looking for practical and long lasting choose the "L" with a manual.

 

I'd say the disc brakes, touch screen radio, 17" wheels, push-button-start, and softex (debatable), are pretty worth the price of admission. There's nothing wrong with 'want'...keeps the economy going. I will agree with you on the CVT though.

 

Premium six speed manual is cleaaan.

 

As an S Premium Manual owner, the 17s do affect fuel economy and seat of pants power. When I put the 15s on with 185 width snow tires, the car was a lot peppier and the braking was also much improved.


The first stop I made with the 17s back on a couple weeks ago had me changing the distance to brake in certain areas. The 17s are friggin heavy.

 

I drive a 2014 Corolla L model, and to be honest I only had $18k to spend..plus I wanted a manual. The L was 16K w/ tax tag title it came to 18K, plus I was shocked and excited the car came w/ a 6spd! I bought a used 14 S corolla touchscreen love it, also bought used leather seats love it, bought a rear painted spoiler love it..an I bought corolla fog lights, so now I feel like i'm riding in a S model now haha! I hate automatics so idk anything about cvt's, I will say that the only thing the S model has is a sunroof & heated seats, thats about the biggest difference between both.

 

Honestly I'm glad I went for the S +. I was eying the LE but the Sales man and my boyfriend both convinced me that the S was the better car. I absolutely love it. My best friend has the LE + and every time she gets in my car she says "Damn I wish I got an S instead of an LE." She has tan interior and she spilled water on the passenger seat and it looks terrible. I've stained my seats and it comes right out. The S just looks way better. The rims are great, people don't believe me when I say they're stock. Entune is my favorite feature of the car. I don't think I'll ever buy anything other than an S Plus after this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I've got a 2015 S Premium, and I'm very happy with it. Perhaps a bit late to the thread, but let me add a bit of my own perspective to the discussion:

You bet, I want the more bolstered "sports" seats, the rear disc brakes, the fog lights, the turn signals on the mirrors, the improved instrument panel, and so on that you get with an S. With the Premium, I also got navigation, moonroof, Sirius/XM radio, Softex seats with a powered driver seat, etc. With seat heaters that are the most effective seat heaters I've ever experienced in any car at any price. You only live once -- you might as well have the creature comforts that make driving a pleasure.

I'm very happy with the Softex seats -- "better than leather," as far as I'm concerned. Instead of goopy leather care stuff, I use the same interior cleaner I use on the dashboard, and it does a fine job. Also, a powered driver seat is a "must" for me -- driver seat comfort is absolutely my Number One requirement. I'm nearly 60 years old -- once you young guys get to be my age, you'll probably appreciate seat comfort a bit more than you might now.

"Sluggish" is not any problem with an S model -- just press the "Sport" button if you need faster response, and you'll get it. It makes a big difference. Technically, the steering, the throttle, and the CVT are "electronically programmed," and putting the car into "Sport" mode changes the shift points and the accelerator response, and tightens up the steering feel -- using a different "program." Otherwise, the CVT is indeed programmed for less performance and better fuel economy, which is what I want most of the time.

In the end, I find the driver seat to be among the most comfortable seats I've ever owned, and the low-profile tires aren't too bad, providing quite a bit of handling without compromising ride quality much. I'll definitely replace the OEM tires with "touring" tires when they wear out, to get perhaps a bit less handling and definitely more comfort, but the only complaint I've got is when going over really rough pavement, like old concrete where the smooth top surface has worn away -- that's when the OEM tires are at their worst.

I'm always a bit amazed with the posts in this forum about "adding navigation" or fog lights or other features that people didn't get with lesser models -- it's definitely a whole heck of a lot easier to just get them as standard equipment or options in the higher-level models when you purchase the car. I suppose that, in the grand scheme of things, there aren't a whole lot of people who want "stripper" cars, so if you buy a higher-level model, you should easily get the money back for the higher level models when you sell the car some day.

Finally, regarding gas mileage, I'm getting a bit over 35 MPG on average, and I've gotten several tanks on the open road at well over 40 MPG. And that's actually doing the math, instead of relying on what the onboard MPG display says. I rarely put more than 10 gallons in the tank to fill it back up, and that's definitely part of why I bought a Corolla -- to get excellent gas mileage. In summary, I'm very happy with my Corolla S Premium, and I'm very glad that I went for such a top-of-the-line model. It has the creature comforts that I use and enjoy every mile I drive it.