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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  Fun, efficient, economical car - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By jmw131 - October 22 - 5:50 am

  I find the car to be fun to drive, very efficient with the 34-38 mpg, and very economical, i got it for $8,200 from a dealership in excellent condition with 37k miles. I didnt like the steering at first but got used to it. I was surprised at the power it had for its size. I couldnt have gotten a civic for anywhere close to this purchase price and if you dont care about the look like a married man like me doesnt then its great.

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  Love my echo! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Karen - October 10 - 2:40 am

  I love this car! I got it the first year it was out. I had original tires on it until I replaced them a few weeks ago. So, that was 5 years and the only reason that I did it was that Michelin had a sale.

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  Not bad - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By MelSpags - October 8 - 10:00 am

  As a college student the echo is ideal for my needs. The great gas mileage and dependability are outstanding.

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  laugh if you want to . . . - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By jekyl - October 3 - 11:00 am

  I bought this car because I was looking for the cheapest new car available. I had owned an 81 Tercel and I loved it. I figured the Echo took up where the Tercel left off. I loved the Echo immediately. 40 mpg, no trouble, fast, lots of fun to drive. Have a hard time not speeding with the get up and go manual transmission. If I can manage to get 3 kids carseats into the back seat (which will be difficult, but possible) Ill never get rid of it. I might get laughed at because of the way the car looks, but I laugh every time I pass a gas station full of gas guzzling SUVs in the urban jungle. Its too bad theyre not making Echos anymore. Its a great little car.

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

  Very good conmuter car

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  Best small car on the road - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Scotts Echo - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I have to say that i love my Toyota Echo .I get 42 MPG on gas and its alot of fun to drive and the get up and go is great .It will move for a small car ill be going 85 befor i know it .Its a great car for the money and its a Toyota so what more could you ask for .

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  best car I ever owned - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By tod - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This Echo is the best quality car I ever owned beside our toyota seinna. I use this car everyday for work and since I purchased it in May of 2000, I have never taken it back to service only for routine maintence. I have over 125,000 miles on it and plan to buy another toyota next year.

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  Excellent - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Robert Connors - September 1 - 10:00 am

  saved on gas and easy to ride in and comfortable and more space and roomy in the car.

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  A Face Only An Owner Could Love - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Autooracle - August 28 - 12:46 pm

  The design of this car is nothing short of sheer comedy. Powertrain: excellent: peppy, great mileage, idles smoother than my Mercedes. I literally get over 35 mpg with combination driving 40 mpg highway. Great car, especially for someone in the used car market who seeks reliable economy. As long as they are able to overlook quirky styling, they are set for miles reliable driving. Car also has a timing chain instead of a timing belt which is great for overall maintenance, or lack of.

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  Best car I have ever owned and I am 57 - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By nickel1951 - August 13 - 9:20 pm

  I bought this car used after owning a 2001 Echo for six years. I sold the 2001 to my son who was just graduating from college and bought this car for myself. I have never bought another car that was identical to the one I had had for six years already before but this car is special. I actually made my son promise to sell me the old car back when he wants to get rid of it so I can have a backup. The only thing that was not satisfactory in either car were the floor mats. I have no idea why, but they wore out quite quickly. The dealership even gave me a full replacement after the first year and those wore out as well. I bought some after market ones from Walmart and they have been fine.