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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  Anastasias Review - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Anastasia - February 1 - 9:20 am

  I love my Echo! I recommend it to anyone who asks. I get great gas mileage and it is very comfortable, even for long drives. Lots of room, big trunk.

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  Speed Demon - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Piero - January 18 - 11:00 pm

  I have learned to drive in the great land of Italy where the love of cars and speed is greatly loved. My little funky Echo make me miss the driving there. However to drive fast around the turns I have found that you need to oversize your tires to 195-60-14 and keep the front inflated to 35 PSI instead of 32. I have Bridgestone Potenza RE 950 and love them.

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  Best toyota - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By rolo - December 28 - 3:10 am

  My echo is the best car I have ever owned. Never stops running, no repairs whatsoever. Have only replaced brakes, front only, and oil changes. Have replaced spark plugs and air filter, thats it. Runs like a champ. No Wonder they stopped making them. They could had become the VW beetle of the 2000s

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  Couldnt be happier - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By B4rK0d3 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  First car Ive ever owned, and being a college student, its awesome on the mileage. I generally get around 35 mpg, and thats a combination of highway and street driving. Recently, I moved 2000 miles across the country, with the car packed full of everything I owned. The weight was so high that the back tires were almost completely in the wheel-wells! This car performed the ENTIRE trip like it didnt have anything but the driver in the car. I have never had any problem with the car whatsoever, and I would totally recommend this car to anybody...ANYBODY. I couldnt be happier in the past year and a half that Ive owned this vehicle.

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  MY ECHO - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Gregory Estes - November 22 - 3:36 am

  I presently have 79,373 miles on my echo. It has 4 doors, manual transmission, and I average just over 40 mpg if I drive 60mph or less. I drive 85 miles round trip per day 4-5 days per week for work, (both highway and city). I change my own oil and filter every 3000 miles, and have only had it in the shop once at the dealer for its 60,000 mile check up. I love this car! Not a bit of trouble, very dependable. They dont make Echos anymore, but Toyotas replacement is the Yaris, (same engine, different body style). If I needed another reliable and economic car I would buy another Echo, if I could find one, or a new Yaris. Toyota really has a winner here!!

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  looks neat, runs well - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By rw - November 17 - 10:00 am

  A good value for the money, easy to drive and get in/out of.

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  Funtional Car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By VANED9726 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  Economic with a good picot. A good car to be parked in any parking lot.

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  This thing is a blast! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Nuanu - November 10 - 11:20 am

  The reviewer said the Echo suffers from cartoon- like styling. I say thats the whole idea. My Echo is like driving a cartoon. Never have I had a vehicle with absolutely *no* features--mine doesnt even have power steering--that is so delightful. Its so impressive, its a joy to drive. Just bought it last week with 16k miles. I [a designer] am quite impressed with all the thought that went into making this car, at its most stripped-down level, really neat. The driving environment is wonderful, its plenty big inside, it floats down the road effortlessly and with a smile. And the best thing: with a basic, used car my expectations were low. So I am overjoyed. Hope that helps.

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  MADE A BELIEVER OUT OF ME!!! - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By HOTROD_DUDE - November 8 - 2:33 am

  WOW! is the first thing I want to say about this little car. Im a car nut with a lot of them, I am also a power freak, but when the gas prices began to raise I had to get me a gas econo car, and that means little 4 banger car, YUCK!! I thought. I did my research on the best gas econo cars and the little Echo seemed to be it, so I bought one - WOW!! was I wrong, this car is the best thing I ever bought, I tell people its like a go-cart on crack, its so fun to drive, you dont want to get out of it. The gas mileage is super, 2 trips from Miss. to Minn with the AC on I got 43 to 45 MPG on the HWY in town I get 35 probably because I got a heavy foot. You cant go wrong with this car.

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  Driven Hard! - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By trdecho1 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Mine is actually a 2000 5-speed sedan. Selection list did not go back past 2003. But I love mine, it has 64,000 miles and has not skipped a beat. It has been driven hard due to my lead foot! I run synthetic oil in engine and tranny. 0w-30 in the engine,and 75w-90 in the tranny. Helped alot with pickup and dealer put it in for me. I also run a aftermarket air filter, and took out the baffle in the air box. Put on different muffler, but not a cannon like all other imports, still quiet. I love out running hondas and fords and getting better gas milage in the process. Would keep this car even if I won the lottery!