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 11 through 20 of 73.00-
2003 Echo 4Dr Sedan - 2003 Toyota Echo
By CarFan - October 4 - 5:10 pmDependable, economical & fun small car to drive - especially during times of high gas prices. This car is excellent for city driving and ok for shorter highway trips. Its light weight makes it easily swayed by passing trucks and not the best traction on snowy roads. It could use cruise control & arm rests.
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Toyota Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Mimerlan - August 12 - 10:00 amWe have really enjoyed our Toyota Echo. If you are not after luxury, this is one to consider. It gets great gas mileage, and it has plenty of leg room. Our son is 62" and he has no complaints with the head and leg room. It has plenty of pep for passing and take-offs. And it cruises nicely down the road at 70 mph. It sets up higher than any compact car we considered. It also has plenty of trunk space. For the price, comfort and economy you cant beat it!
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281k and still going - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Doug - May 29 - 2:00 amBought this car in 2007 with 213k miles, driven daily since and now at 281k miles. Doesnt use oil, needed few repairs, gets great mileage, and is comfortable enough to take on a trip.
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Best Little Car - 2003 Toyota Echo
By rickolano - April 29 - 2:14 amThe car aint sexy, it isnt good for Christmas shopping cause boxes dont fit in it like a 26" TV nor in the trunk. BUT BUT BUT>... Its the most reliable car Ive ever had. I have owned Chrysler New Yorker, VW Jetta, Ford Capri, Ford Mustang, and Ford Pinto. This has outlasted all of them and cost the least in all areas. At just over 100,000 miles I had to replace the two drive belts, flush the radiator and transmission (never done before now). Easy to change your own oil and spark plugs. On my 3rd set of tires. Now a low droning humm indicates I need a rear wheel bearings replaced. Gas mileage is awesome and I wont give this car up nor sell it. The cost to own is just too damn reasonable
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My Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
By Echo Driver - February 23 - 10:00 amI havent had my Echo but 5 months, so I cant speak to long term reliability. In consumer reviews it is rated as excellent. I do know for certain it is one of the lowest priced new cars. Gas mileage on mine is currently 47 mpg. Awesome! I highly recommend the Echo.
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A noisy little commuter - 2003 Toyota Echo
By bmick - April 6 - 10:00 amI bought this car after driving it around town, thinking it was a good buy. Problem: the features changed so much between 02-03, the dealer did not know what I was requesting. I ended up without the split seats, the remote mirrors, and the larger tires. Also, the car is a great around-the- town car, but a pathetic commuter. It is NOISY, POORLY INSULATED, AND TOO LIGHT ON THE FREEWAY IN THE WIND. If you make this purchase, plan to be thrown around on the road and unable to hear your favorite CD playing. Oh, yeah, turn the volume up to max on your cell phone also.
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Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
By BrianT - January 31 - 10:00 amI got the two door echo. Its not too small but I dont reccomend the two door because its a pain getting everybody inside it. Echo holds up good against high gas prices but doesnt hold up on the highway as much. I do alot of highway driving and when its really windy the Echo blows all over the road. Its great for in town driving though, you never have any wind disturbances there. My car came with very few options which was dissapointing but I didnt want to pay a bunch extra. Id say if you had to choose between the Echo or the Hybrid Prius, to go ahead and pay a lil more for the Prius. Its alot better on everything.
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Super Awesome 1st Car - 2003 Toyota Echo
By NateDog - November 15 - 6:23 amRecieved as my first vehicle for my 16th birthday, and it has been incredible. Amazing gas mileage, comfortable for long or short drives, spunky acceleration, and cruises like a champion. Cant say anything bad about this car, it is a dream. Drove it all the way to Louisiana from California, 75 the whole way, and it returned 40-42 miles to the gallon! Carried all my junk too, completely packed down with stuff. Buy this car if you are in need of an economical vehicle!!!
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Great Value - 2003 Toyota Echo
By cars4dummies - October 12 - 3:29 amI am just writing this to make a point. Bougth a brand new 2003 4 door Echo sedan. Really this and a few others were the only cars I could afford back then. No regret! Still solid. Never had any major issues. Ive been up to all the regular maintenance, and changes tires for winter every year. Never had any accidents on icy and snowy roads here in Calgary. Just trying to make a point. I compare this to a brand new 2010 Subaru Forester which turned out to be a $10k more expensive garbage. I am definitely going back to Toyota.
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Good Car - Bad Dealer - 2003 Toyota Echo
By donutman - September 11 - 10:00 amThis car is remarkably quick for its engine size and is fun to drive. I wish I could say the same of the dealer, who lied to us about the cost of installing a CD Player, which is still not working after 4 trips to the dealer. The only dangerous thing about this car is its spedometer that is only marked every 20 MPH. It is very easy to drive faster than you intend, since most people are used to having each large mark on the spedo be 10 MPH not 20 MPH as in this vehicle.
