2016 Toyota Corolla S Plus Maintains Compact Sales Leadership 

For the past 30 years, dependability and low maintenance earned the Toyota Corolla its top spot on the shopping lists of women, African Americans, Hispanics and all other Americans. Somehow, it has even made it into the garages of many who didn’t have a shopping list — the seven out of ten impulse buyers who just decided to drop in the dealership to window shop. They had no intention to buy a car that day, but drove off the lot in a new Toyota Corolla. More than 360,000 were sold in the U.S. last year, compared to 226,000 for the Chevy Cruze.

I raised a family with a Corolla Wagon back in late seventies to early eighties. it was dependable, fuel-efficient and required very little maintenance. But this is the year 2016 and the Corolla is not the same car, plus its competition has gotten tougher. Other cars in its class have introduced models that are also very dependable, and fuel efficient. Although some of its rivals offer more new features, and better performance, its hard to beat the Corolla’s legendary reputation for reliability. 

The Corolla, which introduced its 11th generation in 2014, remains as fresh as ever, and continues its class leading dominance. The 2016 Toyota Corolla’s reputation remains in tact despite challenges from others in its class. I test drove a Special Edition 2016 Corolla S Plus, which has special badging, glossy 17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, unique seats with special stitching, floor mats and red accents. A newly tuned chassis gave it a sportier performance.  

Matching its sportier style, and tuned chassis, the 2016 Corolla S Plus, produces 132 horsepower from its 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder, with a 6-speed manual transmission. The S Plus averages 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.  Touch screen infotainment and bluetooth come standard in the S Plus; navigation is optional.

Corolla gets top score in the governments overall vehicle score, frontal and side crash. Rollover is a four rating, in a single vehicle crash. its has eight standard airbags, vehicle stability and traction control. 

The 2016 Corolla is offered in four trim levels: L, LE, LE, and ECO. The base L model starts at $17,300 and goes up to $23, 300 for the LE Premium Trim package. MSRP for Special Edition Corolla S Plus I tested was $21, 595 with a additional $835 for delivery.

Randi Payton is Founder at Decisive Media, Washington D.C. Metro Area.