{"id":21982,"date":"2024-11-08T06:32:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T14:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=21982"},"modified":"2025-06-15T19:51:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T02:51:00","slug":"toyota-corolla-le-vs-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-loan\/toyota-corolla-le-vs-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Toyota Corolla LE Vs. Toyota Corolla S: Which Is Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Toyota Corolla LE and S models are two peas in a pod. While their exteriors are markedly different, the rest of their components are just about the same. It\u2019s hard to decide between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for an affordable used car that\u2019s packed with technology and safety features and is extremely reliable, a 2016 Toyota Corolla might interest you. But which trim level should you choose? What are the differences between the most popular trims?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully Jerry, the licensed insurance broker app, is here with a comparison guide between the 2016 Toyota Corolla LE and S trim levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Corolla is Toyota\u2019s economy compact sedan. You can save money on either the LE or the S by picking up a slightly older model, but which one is less expensive upfront? We\u2019ve broken down the original pricing versus the depreciation in the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model<\/th>Starting MSRP<\/th>Average used price<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2016 Toyota Corolla LE<\/td>$18,735<\/td>$12,953<\/td><\/tr>
2016 Toyota Corolla S<\/td>$19,365<\/td>$14,478<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll save a few thousand dollars upfront if you opt for the LE trim. This is a good way to shop if the upfront cost is your biggest priority when browsing used cars. Another factor to consider is the true cost of ownership for each car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good way to calculate the true cost of ownership is to look at the estimated five-year ownership cost for each vehicle. This will roughly break down what you can expect in terms of reliability, maintenance, and insurance costs for each vehicle. We checked with Edmunds for both models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The five-year cost of ownership for the LE is $32,759. The ownership cost for the S is $33,735. That\u2019s not to say this will be your cost since you\u2019re buying the car used, but rather if you bought the car brand-new back in 2016. The tool gives you an overview of the costs you can expect as you continue to drive the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest factors in the true cost of ownership is the cost of car insurance\u2014thousands of dollars over five years! The Toyota Corolla LE insurance <\/a>costs are $4,757 and the S insurance costs are $4,763 based on our calculations\u2014nearly identical. As you go down the cost chart, the price difference between the two is negligible, which is why it might be better to go with the upfront cost when purchasing a used 2016 Toyota Corolla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Toyota Corolla S performs slightly better than the LE thanks to its sport-tuned suspension, but the differences between the two are few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since they are, at their cores, the same car, you wouldn\u2019t expect the drive quality to be markedly different between the LE and the S, and you\u2019d be right. Both have the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. It\u2019s not a lot of power, but it\u2019s enough to get you through your daily commute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have a choice in transmissions with the 2016 Toyota Corolla: the four-speed automatic, a continuously-variable transmission, or a six-speed manual. Drivers looking for a more intimate experience with their car will want to choose the manual transmission, while the average driver will do just fine with one of the automatic options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The steering has been slightly improved in the S model, giving it a slight edge over the stodgier LE. Still, even with the improvements, the S still steers stiffly and isn\u2019t as responsive as you\u2019d hope with a sport-tuned trim level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to upgrade your fun level while driving, the S might be a better choice, but it\u2019s almost too close to call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fuel efficiency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both cars have a combined gas mileage of 32 mpg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your decision comes down to fuel economy, the differences between the two don\u2019t do you any favors. We\u2019ve broken down the mileage of each vehicle in the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model<\/th>Engine<\/th>Fuel economy (city\/hwy\/combined)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2016 Toyota Corolla LE<\/td>1.8L four-cylinder<\/td>29\/38\/32 mpg<\/td><\/tr>
2016 Toyota Corolla S<\/td>1.8L four-cylinder<\/td>29\/37\/32 mpg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The difference is negligible, but remember that if you choose the manual transmission, your fuel economy will drop by 2 to 3 mpg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more:<\/strong> Car insurance for used cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The two trims are identical in terms of technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you purchase a 2016 Toyota Corolla, you get a standard rear-view camera and a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display. You also get access to the Entune App Suite, which offers connectivity through an app to online services like Bing, Pandora, Facebook, and Yelp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also automatic climate control and a host of driver-assist features like cruise control and an Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reliability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reliability ratings are also the same for the LE and the S. Both enjoy the unbeatable reputation of Toyota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J.D. Power has rated the 2016 Toyota Corolla with an 86\/100 reliability score, while RepairPal gives it a 4.5\/5.0 rating for reliability\u2014the top of its class! You can expect an average maintenance cost of $370 when you purchase a used 2016 Toyota Corolla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The interior on the LE and the S are the same, with soft-touch plastics and cloth upholstery. It seems as though the designers weren\u2019t exactly going for an upscale look with this design, because the interior doesn\u2019t feel as classy as rival compact sedans. That being said, back seat passengers will enjoy class-leading legroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest difference between the two\u2019s interiors is the type of cloth upholstery they have. The LE features standard gray upholstery while the S has mixed-media seats with sports bolsters and sports inserts. The S also has a leather-trimmed steering wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curious about how the measurements shake out? We\u2019ve broken them down in the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Measurement<\/th>Toyota Corolla Sedan<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Cargo volume<\/td>13.0 cubic feet<\/td><\/tr>
Headroom (front seats)<\/td>38.3 inches<\/td><\/tr>
Legroom (front seats)<\/td>42.3 inches<\/td><\/tr>
Headroom (rear seats) <\/td>37.1 inches<\/td><\/tr>
Legroom (rear seats)<\/td>41.1 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re frequently carrying backseat passengers, the 2016 Toyota Corolla is a great choice for you. Unfortunately, the interior won\u2019t play a big part in deciding which is better for you: Toyota Corolla LE vs. S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exterior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exterior is where we have a little more room to talk about the differences between the LE and the S. The S trim has a sportier look with the addition of a rear spoiler and unique wheel caps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LE trim has a gray front grille, 16-inch steel wheels, and heated power outside mirrors. The S trim features a front chrome grille with piano black inserts, 16-inch steel wheels with custom covers, heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, and a rear spoiler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a sporty style is important to you when choosing a new car, it\u2019s better to opt for the S trim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So how does it all shake out when weighing the Toyota Corolla LE vs. S? The two are evenly matched and we can\u2019t declare a winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If upfront cost and slightly improved fuel efficiency matters most to you, you\u2019d be better off with the LE. But if sporty style and steering are major influencers, the S is the superior choice. With so many similarities, it\u2019s hard to make a choice based on features alone. We\u2019d recommend going with your gut on this one and choosing the one you enjoy driving more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n FAQ <\/h2>\n \n \n \n
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    \n \n \n What is the difference between the Toyota Corolla S and LE? <\/span>\n\n \n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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    While these two models are remarkably similar, the biggest difference is the exterior appearance. The S is a sportier model featuring custom wheel covers and a rear spoiler.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n

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    \n \n \n What year Toyota Corolla is most reliable? <\/span>\n\n \n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n
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    While the Toyota Corolla is an overall reliable vehicle regardless of the model year, Consumer Reports ranks the Corollas coming from the years 2014 to 2019 <\/strong>as the most reliable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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