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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  We love our ECHO - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By disa2k - August 13 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I drove an ECHO back in 2000 and fell in love with it; however we couldn’t afford one at the time. We just bought a 2003 4dr/manual and we love it. Very roomy and you can’t beat the gas mileage. We do think the manual is a little peppier than the automatic.

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  Canadian Toyota Echo 5-DR Hatchback 2004 - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By wwhtbabp - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I saw it few year ago in Japan & was suprised that Toyota decided to bring it to Canada, but not to the US (sorry my American friends, so you know how I feel about the MR2 Spyder). I bought it mainly because it is a unique car (I live along the US/Canadian border). Handling & power are actually quite acceptable. With saving from its fuel economy, it wont be long till I can afford an American unique MR2 Spyder.

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  LOVED BUT LOST - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By CRANFIELD - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I LIKE THIS CAR ALOT, BUT WHEN I REARENDED ANOTHER CAR IT WAS TOTALED. LOOKED LIKE THE SLOPPED FRONT END OF THE CAR WENT UNDER THE REAR END OF THE OTHER CAR. MESSED UP THE RADATOR, AND FAN. AIR BAGS CAME OUT --- IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE THE BUMPER WAS OF ANY USE. I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST AND NOW THE CAR IS TOTALED.

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  get at least two - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By eyeland4u - July 24 - 10:00 am

  great mileage, peppy with shift button, have not had to align or change tires only rotate tires. Bought one for me and one for my daughter

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  Saved me - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By wtlonestar - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new and drove it about 43 miles per day commuting to work. Roomy,Great MPG,Handling is good also. At just short of 30,000 miles I ran into the back of a Dodge Ram Truck that stopped suddenly in traffic. The Car was totalled. Air bag deployed and saved my life. The steering wheel could be softer. I walk out of it with bad bruising from the seatbelt,Suggest 5 or 4 point harness,10 staples in my knee,broken ribs,busted wrist,one fractured foot bone. Very well built. Going for a bigger SUV this time. Thanks for the safety built in even in the low priced units.

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  Good but could have been great - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By what could have been - July 1 - 8:03 am

  Bought used in may 2005 with 24,940 miles on it. It now has 34,600 miles on it. Had to fix a/c all new o-rings + recharge Freon for $150.00. Just fixed tie rod end link bushing-left front side $75.00. I avg 27 mpgs in winter short trip cold motor. The 1 long highway trip I took (150 miles round trip) I got 40.5 mpgs with the auto trans + a little a/c usage. Since I owned it I am averageing 32.5 mpgs. I had 195/60 14 tires put on but they had high rolling resistance. I didnt know this at the time I got them so I lost about 3 mpgs. I save every gas reciept. This car needs a more powerfull a/c system it only holds 17 oz of Freon crosswinds are hell in this thing on the highway. City driving is ok.

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  2003 Toyota ECHO - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By Sharon - June 14 - 2:53 pm

  Its even good in snow! Amazing! Once around Erie there were two cars off the road in a squall, I called and the dispatcher said there were 200 cars off the road in that county! AND I just kept going without a problem! I dont get tired on long trips of 8-11 hours!

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  GREAT CAR!! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By JAN - June 11 - 10:00 am

  AFTER ONLY ONE DAY OF OWNERSHIP, I LOVE THIS CAR. IT HANDLES WITH GREAT EASE, EXCELLENT ON GAS AND MORE COMFORTABLE THAN MOST SMALL CARS. YOU SIT UP HIGHER WITHOUT THAT FEELING OF SITTING ON THE FLOOR.

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  Some Problems . . . - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By KathyME - June 11 - 10:00 am

  In good weather, I love this car. In rain, sleet, snow, or icy weather, I HATE this car. I slides all over the road,and nearly blows OFF the road in the wind. I live in Michigan and we have HARD winters. I have never been so scared when driving in bad weather as I have been with this car. Furthermore, the plastic trim is all falling off!! This car is cute, is very economical and fun to drive, but I wouldnt buy another one . . . .

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  Good Buy - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Talis - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought mine brand new from the dealer, it hasnt been back to the dealer since. (Except for the small fact that nobody in my area sells the air filter yet) I have never gotten worse than 44 miles per gallon and my highest was 50. Only extras I got were cruise control and a CD player. I drive over 35,000 miles a year, so I just wanted a car that would last and got good gas mileage.