No point in arguing over it guys. Every one has their own preferences as to what things they like in a car and how they rank them.
For people saying XLi/Grande look alike, yes it is a valid argument. But so does a Mercedes C class, E class and S class. In fact you can hardly differentiate between the C and E on the road. And E and S from the back. And these are DIFFERENT models! Not even different trims/engines within the same class!
Same applies to BMW (5, 7) and newer Lexus models these days.
For me personally, if I am spending money and buying a car for myself then the most important factor for me would be the how the interior looks because that’s where I would actually be spending most of my time. Unless its a Ferrari that one can enjoy looking at while parked.
Similarly, if you care more about what “others” think, and you pass off to them as an XLi owner while you have bought a Grande, then I would recommend keeping Corolla brochures handy to explain it to them if what “others” think bother you that much.