The color is rich and exactly as it appeared in the online photo. (I chose 'Spice'.) It's indeed heavy corduroy and appears thick enough to last several years. It's replacing a "premium" cover that cost at least twice as much -- and this one even looks and feels better. It was slightly a challenge to put it on my futon mattress because the zipper is on only one side, not three sides (thankfully, the long side though). I "forgive" that tiny flaw because the designers took care to wrap the zipper along the edge of the side instead of the middle, so it's not obviously the zippered side of the cover. Once you're done struggling to install it, it looks elegant.
On the other hand, the two throw pillows are a nice touch but poorly constructed. The "hidden seam" wasn't hidden -- merely pinched together and haphazardly sewn with what irritatingly feels like fishing line -- and no attempt was made to hide the hole used to stuff the pillow. If I had to do it again, I'd buy solely the cover, which is also available on Overstock. I give it 3 stars for this reason.
Overall, the cover is luxurious and gorgeous but can still be comfortably casual (don't you just love that about corduroy?). Well worth it! (but go buy the version without the pillows)