2016 Toyota Corolla S w/Special Edition Package: A Closer Look
2016 Toyota Corolla S w/Special Edition Package: A Closer Look
The 2016 Toyota Corolla S w/Special Edition Package, despite being a respectable compact sedan, faces an uphill battle in a fiercely competitive market. While it offers a spacious interior and decent fuel economy, its lack of power and outdated infotainment system leave it lagging behind rivals like the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Hyundai Elantra.
A Stylish, Yet Familiar, Exterior
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition boasts a sleek, albeit familiar, design. Its clean lines and attractive proportions are enhanced by the Special Edition's black accents, which include black alloy wheels, a black grille, and blacked-out window trim. The striking red paint option available on the Special Edition further enhances its visual appeal, lending a sporty touch to the otherwise understated exterior.
A Comfortable and Spacious Interior
Inside, the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition offers a pleasant and comfortable interior. The high, flat dashboard, accented with silver trim, exudes a sense of spaciousness. The Special Edition's red accents, found on the seats and door panels, add a touch of sportiness. The front seats are comfortable and offer ample legroom. However, the rear seats are where the Corolla truly shines. Rear legroom is generous, even surpassing that of the larger Toyota Camry.
Underpowered Engine and CVT Transmission
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing a meager 132 horsepower, is a significant drawback. This lack of power is particularly noticeable when accelerating, making merging onto highways a less-than-thrilling experience. The CVT transmission, while efficient, can feel artificial and unresponsive, especially in Sport mode. The engine also suffers from a noticeable lack of refinement, with a coarse and noisy character, especially when revving high to compensate for its lack of power.
Decent Handling But Numb Steering
Although the Corolla S's sport-tuned suspension provides decent handling, it comes at the cost of a harsh ride. The suspension, while capable of handling more power than the engine provides, transmits every bump and road imperfection to the cabin. The electric steering, while offering good weight, lacks feel and responsiveness, leaving the driver feeling disconnected from the road.
Practicality and Utility
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition offers a practical and spacious cabin. The trunk, with its clean shape and easy access, provides ample cargo space for luggage and groceries. The 60/40 split folding rear seats further enhance the Corolla's practicality, allowing for the transport of larger items.
Competitive Pricing and Fuel Efficiency
Despite its shortcomings, the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition offers competitive pricing. Starting at $20,635 and topping out at $23,520, it falls into the higher end of the Corolla price range. However, the Corolla S Special Edition's fuel economy is a strong selling point. Rated at 29 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined, it delivers impressive fuel efficiency for a compact sedan. Real-world fuel economy tests have shown the Corolla S Special Edition achieving even better figures, with a reported 34.4 mpg in mostly city driving.
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition's infotainment system, while functional, is outdated and lacks the intuitiveness of its competitors. The 6.1-inch touchscreen is paired with physical buttons and dials, a configuration that feels dated compared to the sleek and responsive interfaces offered by rivals.
Conclusion: A Decent, But Uninspiring, Option
The 2016 Toyota Corolla S w/Special Edition Package is a decent car, offering a comfortable interior, generous cargo space, and impressive fuel economy. However, its lack of power, outdated infotainment system, and harsh ride hold it back from being a truly compelling choice in a highly competitive segment. While the 2017 update addressed some of its shortcomings, its shortcomings remain significant. The Corolla S, with its spacious interior and desirable fuel economy, has the potential to be a fantastic compact sedan. However, a more powerful engine option, like the 2.5-liter found in the Camry Special Edition, is needed to truly elevate the Corolla S's performance and appeal to a wider audience.
2016 Toyota Corolla S Special Edition: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2016 Toyota Corolla S Special Edition, along with their answers:
What makes the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition special?
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition adds a unique set of visual and interior enhancements to the standard Corolla S trim. These features include:
Black exterior accents: Black front grille, side mirrors, door handles, and rear spoiler.
Sporty black alloy wheels: 17-inch black alloy wheels for a more aggressive look.
Special Edition red paint: The Special Edition is available in a distinctive red paint option.
Red interior accents: Red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and door panels.
How powerful is the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition?
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) for fuel efficiency.
How does the Special Edition compare to the regular Corolla S?
The Special Edition is essentially a visually enhanced version of the standard Corolla S. It retains the same engine, transmission, and most other features, but adds the unique styling elements mentioned earlier.
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition offers a comfortable and spacious interior, good fuel economy, and a decent driving experience. However, it is somewhat underpowered compared to some of its competitors, and the CVT transmission can feel artificial.
How much does the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition cost?
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition starts at around $20,635 and can reach up to $23,520 depending on options.
What are the main downsides of the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition?
The main drawbacks of the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition include:
Underpowered engine: The 1.8-liter engine is not as powerful as rivals in the compact segment.
Artificial CVT: The CVT transmission can feel sluggish and unrefined, especially during acceleration.
Outdated infotainment system: The infotainment system is basic and lacks some features found in competing models.
Rough ride: The sport-tuned suspension can make the ride harsh and bumpy.
Should I buy a 2016 Corolla S Special Edition?
If you are looking for a spacious, fuel-efficient, and relatively affordable compact car, the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition is worth considering. However, if you prioritize performance and driving enjoyment, you may want to explore other options.
Is the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition better than other compact cars?
The 2016 Corolla S Special Edition faces stiff competition from other popular compact cars like the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, and Ford Focus. These rivals offer better performance, features, and refinement in some cases.
What are some alternatives to the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition?
Here are some alternatives to the 2016 Corolla S Special Edition:
Honda Civic: Offers a sporty drive and advanced features.
Mazda3: Known for its stylish design and fun-to-drive character.
Hyundai Elantra: Provides good value and a well-rounded experience.
Chevrolet Cruze: Offers a comfortable ride and a modern interior.
Ford Focus: Provides a sporty driving experience and a range of engine options.
2016 Toyota Corolla S w/Special Edition Pkg 4dr Sedan: Key Features & Highlights
Black exterior accents, 17-inch alloy wheels, red interior accents
Safety Features
Standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control
Infotainment System
6.1-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, CD player, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB port
Price
Starting MSRP: $20,635
Key Takeaways:
The 2016 Toyota Corolla S with the Special Edition Package offers a stylish and practical sedan with a comfortable interior and impressive fuel economy. However, its underpowered engine and outdated infotainment system may leave some drivers wanting more. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros:
Spacious interior: The Corolla provides plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
Excellent fuel economy: The 1.8L engine delivers impressive fuel efficiency, making it an economical choice for daily commutes.
Safety features: The inclusion of the Toyota Safety Sense suite offers peace of mind with advanced safety technologies.
Special Edition styling: The black accents and red interior touches add a touch of sportiness and visual appeal.
Cons:
Underpowered engine: The Corolla's 1.8L engine struggles to deliver adequate power, especially when accelerating or passing.
Outdated infotainment: The 6.1-inch touchscreen lacks the modern features found in many competitors.
Harsh ride: The sport-tuned suspension can make the ride uncomfortable over bumps and rough roads.
Higher price point: The Special Edition Package adds to the base price, making it more expensive than some competing models.
Overall:
The 2016 Toyota Corolla S w/Special Edition Pkg offers a solid combination of practicality and style, but its lack of power and outdated infotainment system could be deterrents for some buyers. If you prioritize fuel economy and a spacious interior, the Corolla might be a good fit, but if you desire a more engaging driving experience and modern technology, you might want to consider other options in the compact sedan market.
