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:

• 

  2000 ECHO ECHO - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By CAJUNMAMOU - November 7 - 10:00 am

  BOUGHT IT WITH 80K MILES, THE BEST CAR I EVER OWNED BECAUSE OF THE ROOMINESS AND GAS MILEAGE. CAST IORN TOYOTA RELIABILITY ADDED CRUISE AND POWER DOOR LOCKS. GREAT FACTORY SOUND SYSTEM. A LITTLE SHORT ON PERFORMANCE EXPECTED IN RETURN FOR FUEL MILEAGE. 31 TO 37 COMMUTER MILEAGE (REAL NOT INFLATED) CANT WAIT TO SEE LONG HIGHWAY MILEAGE. MY DAUGHTER KEEPS ASKING TO USE IT AND SHE HAS A MIATA. HAVE AN ISUZU TROOPER AND LEAVE IT PARKED FOR USE OF THE ECHO.

• 

  Love the car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By loveit - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I just got my car a few months ago and I love it. I am a college student on a tight budget and was pleased with the price. Its a wonderful to drive, handles wonderfully. I have never had trouble with the handling of it in bad weather (not yet anyways). Great car for a first time byer.

• 

  Sometimes you go with your gut instinct! - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By echooooooooooooo! - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2002 Echo and I concur with all of the other previews. This car purrs! Im gonna give mine a cool look this summer (03) Im gonna give it a new stereo (double din video touchscreen with cd changer which will fit nicely with the Infinity Kappa Bass Link amplified sub-woofer I bought which only takes up the right side corner of the trunk. Some nice 205 "15 tires like the dude above did to his. A front mask. Tinted windows. And sime nice interior and exterior neon lighting. All in all this is one heck of a nice toy. I guess thats why they call them TOYotas because theyre so much fun to play with! Peace and safe driving you guys :0)

• 

  Great commuter car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By paul a - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I have driven the Echo for 22 months. It is a great vehicle for local driving & short trips. Local gas mileage, with auto, is 30 MPG & on the road 40-42. Great visability,head room, easy to enter & exit, more height & room than my Cherokee, a huge trunk, & a surprising amount of storage space with the rear seat pulled down. Acceleration is barely adequate & cornering is poor, also high winds demand slower speeds & greater attention to the road. No problems so far after 14,000 miles.

• 

  The best little car in the west - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Debby - November 4 - 5:16 am

  After much study of the compact cars out there and trying several of them, I kept going back to Echo for the excellent comfort, especially the seat height for anyone with a bad back. As for the quality for the price, it is well made, handles so well, not wobbly at all, I am not sure what the Editor was driving, but my Echo is so responsive and smooth. Yes, there are cars out there with more power, but for a sub-compact car it has all the power you need, you can add all the bells and whistles you need. I got mine with the 15" wheels and it makes the ride so much smoother. I would recommend the Echo to anyone who wants comfort at a great price!

• 

  2000 Echo, loving it - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Al - November 3 - 8:43 pm

  I purchased this car for my son in May 2005 with 88000 miles on it and have since added 6000 miles without any troubles. Its a solid little car which gets excellent mpg. With the price of gas going high, I was lucky to pick this up.

• 

  Im keeping it - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By farmlassie - October 14 - 9:00 am

  This car is absolutely wonderful! I have loved it from the day I bought it. We have had 3 minivans since we bought this car and I still prefer my ECHO. It is effected by the wind, but it is well worth it. With the price of gas it is a real asset to own. I would buy it again if I needed another car. It isnt the most comfortable on long trips, especially not having a right-arm rest for the driver. The safety is greatly appreciated.

• 

  Why are they discontinuing this model? - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By tularoo - October 9 - 4:53 pm

  We bought this car after graduating from college -- it was the only new car we could afford, and it met my strict retentive guidelines (safety, gas mileage, low cost of ownership). This car has been fantastic. Its survived a move to Vermont (think mountains), which is pretty good for a little 1.5 liter engine. Perhaps the most impressive in the gas mileage -- 40mpg highway. You can barely get that in a hybird car. The car is also well laid-out, with plenty of headroom for our 6 tall friend. I do my own synthetic oil changes, and that engine runs like the day it came off the lot. The CD player recently died, and the air intake had to be replaced. Other than that, smooth sailing!

• 

  Bad car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Toni - October 9 - 4:23 am

  I have had my echo since jan 1 2006 and I bought it with 75000 miles on it it seemed like it would be a good little car to get around in. But I have had nothing but trouble with it within a week the engine light came on so took it in and got that fixed and two days later the engine light comes back on it it keep jumping and jerking while I drive it so I had to get that fixed and a week after that something else went wrong..I have had to have it towed 5 times since I bought it..

• 

  Amazingly reliable - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By n1yqh - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 4 years, just hit 72,000 miles, and love it. Ive used it for everything from in-town commuting (tight turning radius and tiny spots it can fit into are key) to driving from Boston to San Fransisco nonstop (the front passenger seat makes a suprisingly comfy bed). Obviously, the 42-44mpg (highway) is great. It has more than adequate acceleration, and managed the mountains on I-80 just fine at 75-80mph (although some downshifting was needed). The best part for me is that since I do routine maintaince myself, and it hasnt needed any repairs AT ALL except for replacing a burned-out taillight bulb, its been dirt cheap to operate.