Overview & Reviews
For 2003, the Echo receives a new look with a redesigned front and rear fascia. The front bumper and fenders feature sharper and more prominent lines, a new chrome-slat grille and new headlamps with a distinctive bulb layout. Optional round foglamps accent the new front-end design. In the rear, a new trunk lid with chrome plate garnish, a new bumper and redesigned combination clear-lens taillights provide a more upscale look.
A new Appearance Package adds aerodynamic body enhancements, including overfenders that blend into the front and rear underbody. A rear trunk spoiler incorporates the LED high-mounted stop lamp.
The standard 14-inch wheels get a new wheel cover design, and, for the first time, the Echo can be had with optional 15-inch wheels. The new styling is topped off with five new colors.
- Good gas mileage, speedy acceleration, roomy and functional interior, Toyota reliability.
- Cartoonish styling, annoying gauge placement, tilt-a-whirl handling, deceptively low base pricing.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 73.00-
Not just another small sedan - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Stan - December 22 - 10:00 amLove the car!! Not because of price,but for exellent mpg,confort,use of space and fun to drive.Someone told me it looked like a spaceship!I said cool! Tired of the same old styles,i like it,kinda grows on you.Rides nice and quiet and has more than enough power for country and city driving.Toyota did a great job useing what interior space could be provided with its small size.Seems to have as much space or more than some bigger cars ive owned.Great view in the drivers seat! sits higher than most small cars.Dont be afriaid to try something different!! you may really like it,like i did.PS this is the first non american car i ever owned. Great Car.
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Not just another small sedan - 2003 Toyota Echo
By stan - December 22 - 10:00 amLove the car!! Not because of price,but for exellent mpg,confort,use of space and fun to drive.Someone told me it looked like a spaceship!I said cool! Tired of the same old styles,i like it,kinda grows on you.Rides nice and quiet and has more than enough power for country and city driving.Toyota did a great job useing what interior space could be provided with its small size.Seems to have as much space or more than some bigger cars ive owned.Great view in the drivers seat! sits higher than most small cars.Dont be afriaid to try something different!! you may really like it,like i did.PS this is the first non american car i ever owned. Great Car.
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Maintenance free - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Fawwaz - October 16 - 10:00 amI purchased the echo with deep concern at first. The reason for the purchase was to save money on the long drive from Los Angeles to Victorville, 200 miles round trip every day. Two years, with 45 thousand on the instrument cage the echo still running like a loyal dog. The only maintenance required is oil change and an alignment. This vehicle is recommended for single men and women. If you are looking for an economical vehicle, Echo is highly recommended.
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The VW that VW couldnt build - 2003 Toyota Echo
By al taloma - September 21 - 3:50 pmThe misunderstood Echo. If one compares the Echo with, say, a 69 VW Bug, its reason for being becomes obvious. Its an old bug, with twice the horsepower, much quieter, easier to drive, air conditioning, twice the fuel economy, but with almost all the features we grew to love in the Bug. Toyota saw the market, and went for it. Funny looking, yes, even cute, cept its a mouse, not a bug. Goes like stink, fun to drive. Mileage around 40+, 43-47 if you featherfoot. Comfortable. Lots of cubbys. A joy to commute in. Does everything the bugs did, and more. No wonder most who own them love them. And yes, many people give them names. Mines "Dinky". Shes a joy.
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I Love My New Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
By S. Harris - June 16 - 10:00 amI bought my new (2003) Echo about 5 days ago. I have had nothing but good things to say about it since. The gas mileage is great, It has a lot more power than I expected. It is a lot of fun to drive and the interior room is phenomenal.
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Amazing Car. - 2003 Toyota Echo
By echoman2 - February 10 - 8:16 amI inherited this little guy from my parents when i left for college, with 85,000 miles on it. I have since taken it up to 105,000 miles, because I commute every day to school. Even after 100,000 miles there has NEVER been a single maintenance issue. The thing still runs like a champ. I consistently get 40-43 mpg in the city, and 50 on highway trips. It has a decent amount of space, and can fit four people nicely. The trunk is pretty big, and i have crammed quite a bit of stuff in it. Honestly the most economical car i have ever seen or driven. Its also pretty spunky. The acceleration is decent, and she likes the higher rpms. I have beaten this car up and its still running strong.
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Great commuter vehicle - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Raymond - April 18 - 4:33 amI drive 65 miles a day round trip. This is an inexpensive, very dependable, and cost efficient vehicle to own. Its no frills, and its not "plush", but its comfortable enough on long DC area commutes, and tolerable on very long trips for one or two people. Theres a surprising amount of headroom for us taller people, and the backseat area and truck are more spacious than youd expect for such a small car.
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Not bad, but not for tall folks - 2003 Toyota Echo
By jazbees - December 6 - 4:43 pmBought it in 2006. Not a bad little car, but it didnt have quite the leg room that this driver needed. Started having muscle/joint aches in my right leg after commuting with it for a while. Switched back to our other car (a 96 Geo Prizm) and the pain disappeared. Aside from that, it was okay. The odd placement of the gauges (a little to the right of the steering wheel) took some getting used to. Very peppy, excellent fuel economy. No major issues that I can recall. Its trunk crumpled quite well when we got rear-ended by a Dodge Ram in early 11, which protected our daughter in the back seat. It did its job, and is now resting peacefully in a junk lot.
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Great Car - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Amy - February 6 - 11:43 amI was all ready a Toyota fan with my first two cars being Camrys.I love my Echo.I bought it off the lot new.This car has been great, I have not had a single problem with it.I love the spunk it has and I live in Atlanta, GA where there are hardly parking spaces but my Echo always finds room in tight spaces most cars cannot fit into.Also driving in traffic is great because of the space issue- it can weave easily when needed.I love the truck space and small compartments.Any improvement I have suggested is petty compared to the overall package.After reading eveyone elses reviews I will have to say that we all have the same little gripes but I know that I am glad to have made this my 1st new car.
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A Great Commuting Car for All Sizes - 2003 Toyota Echo
By NW - June 15 - 10:00 amThis is my second Echo. The first was a 2001, totalled by a rear end accident. No injuries. I loved that car, and this one is even a little better. I am a large 61" and fit comfortably. I love the pick up, the drive, the mileage (35-40+ mpg)and the size, which means I can park where others cant. So far no trouble with either car. Highly recommended.
