Overview & Reviews

The Echo is unchanged for 2004.

• Good gas mileage, speedy acceleration, roomy and functional interior, Toyota reliability.

• Cartoonish styling, annoying gauge placement, shaky handling, deceptively low base pricing.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 50.00

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  low TCO / reliable transporter - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Jo Jo the Monkey Boy - December 10 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a reliable car. Toyota has the "bullet proof" rep for quality - and Consumer Reports gave the Echo the highest quality rating of the low-end compact sedans. I am very pleased with the gas mileage - better than Kia, Hyundai, or Chevy Aveo - and Ive really appreciated that with gas prices being so high this summer. I really dont car about styling, acceleration, handling - its a good little car to get me to work. I dont want to spend time haggling with auto mechanics trying to rip me off and I think the Echo has the built-in quality to stay out of the shop.

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  Zippy Little Car - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By InuRa - September 22 - 10:00 am

  My parents (im a high school student) were happy to get this car: cheap, slow acceleration, small, fuel- efficient. I like this car b/c I can easily pass someone, its weird- lookin. Ppl can always tell where I am, b/c not too many ppl drive this car. The only prob: Its missing all the "basics". youre going to end up puttin a buttload of options in the car.

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  Reliable, High Gas Mileage Car - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By John Phipps - August 10 - 2:00 am

  My Echo is a great little car, which I paid $11,000 for one year ago. So far, after driving over 80,000 miles, there has been no unusual maintenance needed. The only things I have done is to replace the front tires and a pair of new windshield wipers, plus change the oil and filter a few times. My gas mileage started out just under 50 mpg and is now around 45 mpg (I need a tune up). My Echo is a 2-door, 5-speed with no frills. If you are looking for a low cost simple car that gets great gas mileage then the Echo should head you list.

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  Long Term Economy - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By borchert - November 26 - 2:00 am

  One of the most desirable features I have found with the Echo is the motor and drivetrain. It has excellent performance for a 1.5L motor - I assume this is due in part to the Variable Valve Timing. There is no timing belt that will need to be replaced in a few years, it uses a timing chain. There are no spark plug wires that need to be replaced either. I agree with the Edmunds review that the styling is not as desireable as the Scions which use the same drivetrain.

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  Toyota ECHO - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By clock - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Its a good car to get around town in. gas mileage is what primarily attracted me to it.I get an average of about 300 miles out of a tank in the city.The sound system is great,and provides enough oomph to please the ear.The car is pretty good with roominess for what you are getting.Id say 4 adults can sit comfortably inside.This car has enough power to get up to the mid-90s comfortably, top speed, like110mph.It cruises on the highway pretty well, good amount of passing power.Its not a sports car,Handling: in a crosswind, it feels like the car is may want to drift.This is only at high speeds. A/C is decent, same with heat. LOTS of headroom.Good car!

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  I LOVE MY ECHO - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By LOVEMYECHO - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I acturaly have a 2000 Echo that I bought used a year ago and could not be happier with it. I filled up today and got 34 MPG on my last tank of gas. When gas is $1.99 a galon that is a life saver! It is extremly reliable. There are tons of storage compartments inside and a very large trunk. I have driven midsize cars with less space than this little echo because the echo is so well designed.

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  good - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By federico fernandez - September 26 - 4:53 pm

  Very good conmuter car

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  Underestimated - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Alias Name - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My wife & I bought the Echo new in 01. My ego had inhibitions, but it was for her & I respected Toyota quality. I inherited a 97 Grand Prix GT. Although the Echo is a bit under-powered for my taste, Id drive it over any car Ive had. Its functional, fun & easy to drive, capable & economical. Edmunds latest review wasnt useful. It seemed they were evaluating it on standards it wasnt built for. If you want a gas- guzzling, gangly, glorified minivan (refering to SUVs), you wont be interested in a small car. We love it (including our 8-week old whose car seat fits great). And the crash test results Edmonds was so worried about later received 4 of 5 stars.

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  Toyota Echo - The easy auto to park - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Bommarito - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Echos are great at shopping mall parking lots. I fit into any open parking space. I have no problems manveuring through small lanes (usually made small by monster cars trying to park). The tight turning radius makes it easy to zip around as needed. Im particularly fond of the 35 mpg Im getting. Good Toyota quality, nothing fancy, but a great city car.

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  Best little darn car ever! - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By curleytink - August 7 - 10:00 am

  A great little car... wonderful on the highway.. perfect in the city.. able to park anywhere with ease... just the best for the price. I love my Echo.. and would like it better if some of the fancy stuff was upgraded.