The Corolla is Toyota’s longest-selling model in the United States. It’s also one of America’s most popular cars, with more than 50 million units sold. It is known for its reliability, practicality, and relatively low starting price. The Corolla competes with compact sedans and hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Hyundai Elantra. For 2025, there’s a new FX trim that recalls the old FX16 hatchback and enlivens the lineup with performance-related upgrades like a lowered suspension, rear spoiler, black exterior accents, and unique wheels. Apart from the base Corolla LE trim and special edition FX trim, there are two trims that are very popular among Corolla buyers: SE and XSE.
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First, let’s put these two trim levels into the Corolla lineup. The Corolla is available in sedan, hatchback, and hybrid versions. This breakdown only features sedans with standard powertrains. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is certainly worth a closer look for its excellent fuel economy, but the trim structure is slightly different from the sedan, which can cause confusion when understanding what the SE and XSE models offer. There is a gender. With that in mind, let’s break down the differences and see what each trim has to offer.
Corolla SE, an even higher entry model
The base trim of the Corolla is the LE, which starts at $22,175. Coincidentally, this is the cheapest new car of any size or shape that Toyota currently sells. However, above LE there is SE. The SE starts at $24,615 and adds quite a bit of equipment to the LE’s standard feature list. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker stereo, four USB-C ports, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (Toyota’s suite of driver-assistance features including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and pre-collision warning) are all standard. has been. LE and SE. However, the SE adds features such as LED running lights, a chrome exhaust tip, 18-inch alloy wheels (steel wheels on the LE), and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SE also adds Toyota’s 10.5-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone charging, and a sunroof. This is a feature you don’t get with the base model.
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Under the hood of this Corolla is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. It’s not exactly a tower of power, but the standard LE gets a fuel economy rating of 35 mpg combined (32 city/41 highway) from the EPA, which is pretty impressive for a non-hybrid model. is. The SE’s fuel economy ratings are a bit lower at 34 mpg combined (31 city/40 highway) due to the larger wheels and tires, but it’s still well-received among fuel snobs.
Corolla XSE is the top model
The Corolla SE is certainly attractive, but the XSE is just as luxurious. The XSE starts at $27,890 and, like the SE, includes all the standard equipment plus a few notable additions. The XSE is powered by the same 2.0-liter engine as the SE and rides on the same 18-inch graphite-colored wheels. Moreover, the fuel consumption is the same as the SE. However, the SE’s optional sunroof is standard on the XSE, as are features like wireless smartphone charging and Toyota’s 10.5-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The XSE is also equipped with comfort features such as heated front seats and heated outside mirrors with blind-spot indicators. Unique among Corollas, the XSE also offers an optional nine-speaker JBL stereo.
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Considering the price increase of just over $3,200, the XSE actually offers quite a bit of value when compared to the SE. Everything is much improved, including heated seats, upgraded screens, and a sunroof. Add in the available JBL system, and the economical Corolla starts to feel a little more upscale. While it makes sense in its own way to get a little more storage space in your hatchback, check out fuel economy of up to 50 mpg in a hybrid, or test drive a high-performance GR Corolla, the SE and XSE is also quite attractive. Toyota’s cheapest new car also turns out to be one of its most versatile.
