Overview & Reviews

The oddly proportioned and slightly cartoonish Toyota Echo economy car debuted just before the start of the new millennium. A successor to the Tercel and precursor to the Scion brand, the Echo was meant to bring younger U.S. buyers into the Toyota family via its low price and Toyota heritage.

However, this was one Toyota that uncharacteristically failed to garner much success. Although the Toyota Echo offered an impressively roomy cabin thanks to its narrow and tall greenhouse and an economical 1.5-liter four-cylinder that propelled it with decent pep, the car's faults made it one of our editors' least favorite subcompacts. An unusual centralized gauge cluster was deemed poor in design, and once underway, the Echo's small tires and upright stance contributed to a "tippy" feel at highway speeds and excessive body roll when navigating tight corners.

No doubt the Echo, being a Toyota, enjoys a reputation for higher than average reliability. And though we complained of poor value for the dollar -- mostly due to the Echo's low price resulting from Toyota charging extra for common conveniences -- the Echo's slow depreciation has offset that somewhat. Still, anyone on a budget and shopping for a used economy car has better choices that offer greater overall performance and value.

Most Recent Toyota Echo

The Toyota Echo was launched in 2000 and ran through 2005. Sedan and coupe body styles were offered. All Echos were powered by a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine capable of 108 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to a light curb weight, this was enough power to give the Echo decent acceleration. Fuel economy was also impressive, with real-world mileage typically in the mid-30s, quite possibly the best of any non-hybrid, gas-powered car from this time period.

At the time, Toyota kept the car's base price low by making most of its features optional. Standard equipment was very basic, including AM/FM four-speaker audio, a tilt steering wheel and 14-inch wheels. Optional was an all-weather package (including a heavy-duty battery and rear window defogger), antilock brakes, air-conditioning, side airbags, a CD player and keyless entry. Even power steering was an option, as were power windows and mirrors, a tachometer and a split-folding rear seat. In 2001, side airbags became available. The following year, Toyota began offering optional 15-inch wheels. The Echo also got a restyling in 2003. In the car's final years, Toyota made the Echo available by special order only, which caused sales to drop drastically.

Design-wise, the Toyota Echo's most impressive features were its spacious cabin and trunk. The tall greenhouse and narrow roof pillars offered unobstructed visibility and lots of headroom. Front seating was comfortable as long as the pronounced, upright feel didn't bother you, and rear seat legroom was just fine for two full-size adults. Interior materials on the Echo were about average for this class, though the cheap plastic pillar covers, hard steering wheel and foam headliner were subpar. Also, its center-mounted instruments took some getting used to.

Those seriously considering the purchase of a used Toyota Echo should seek out a well-equipped model. They shouldn't cost much more and should make the car much easier to live with.

User Reviews:

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  ECHO that goes! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By sonatafan - December 19 - 10:00 am

  My Echo is fast

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  Echo Hatchback Imported from Canada - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Locke - December 17 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Echo 5 door hatchback from a dealer in Canada, and imported it to the U.S. Call your nearest Toyota dealer across the border for the "how to do this" details. The warranty is valid in the U.S. The Hatchback is NOT a Scion, and is really not an Echo. It is a European designed car (called the Yaris) that in Europe typically has a smaller engine. For import to Canada they put in the Echo engine. The performance is fabulous. 40MPG all the time in mixed driving. Seats 4 adults in comfort. Its 2 inches longer than a Mini, and has plenty of room in the trunk for carry-on suitcases or grocery bags. Seats fold down for bigger things.

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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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  I love this car! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Rachel - December 8 - 7:23 pm

  I love my Echo. It has been a great car. I havent had any problems with it even after I hit a deer! I always recommend this car.

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  Not bad, but not for tall folks - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By jazbees - December 6 - 4:43 pm

  Bought 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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  Best Purchase Ive Ever Made - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By M. Rae - October 28 - 10:26 am

  If you are looking for a dependable, fuel efficient vehicle this is the car for you! I have owned my ECHO for nearly 3 years and never had a problem! While all my friends were driving gas-guzzlers, I could easily get buy without filling up for 10 days! The ECHO is fun to drive, not overly complicated, and simply a wonderful car!

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  Great gas, nice car for young single - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By KT - October 19 - 8:16 pm

  It has great mileage. Its very simple, and cute looks. Its not much fun to drive, but its very easy to drive. I recommend it to a young single driver. Its also very reasonable price. It looks like a small car, but it has nice space.

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  My XMAS gift to me! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By TLR - October 15 - 4:26 pm

  I just drove my first Echo home! I bought it for $300 because it had a fender-bender and the driver-side strut was bent. Ill repair tomorrow for about $70! So much cheaper than my 1990 F-150. I rated it all excellent expecting great things from this car. The last small car I had was a 1986 Nissan Sentra. It was a fantastic car other than the rear wheels leaned in (weird camber design). With the way economy is going I am just so darn happy now to be a member of the Echo Family!

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  My first TOYOTA - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By M Franks - September 27 - 2:00 am

  First of all I would like to thank EDMUNDS for making this possible and a big thanks also for all the helpful reviews.I received my 2003 ECHO 2 weeks ago.Im impressed with my ECHO,but probably more so with TOYOTA.The option availability,pricing and the new style of the car seems to say that TOYOTA reads reviews.This has made the ECHO more exceptable to the public. I was shopping for a new JEEP WRANGLER,but had noticed the new styled ECHOS.After renting one for a week-end I knew what I was going to buy.Im very pleased over all with the new car.The unique styling is cute and gives the car character and spunk.

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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.