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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  Perfect for my needs - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Minneapolis Su - May 5 - 3:50 am

  Bought a used 2000 Echo with 33,000 miles on it. Best car Ive ever owned, besides my 1990 Prizm. My Echo is zippy, peppy, handles like a dream and looks cute and sporty. Huge trunk, plenty of interio space, comfortable seats. I like the speedometer/instrument panel positioned in the middle of the dashboard, as opposed to being right in front of the steering wheel. Very easy to get used to! Great gas mileage: 35-city and 42 on highway. (I laugh at SUV owners when I go to the gas station). Great heater, AC, radio. My only complaint is that because the car is so light, it tends to get buffered around on a fairly windy day. But otherwise, I love my Echo.

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  it becomes your friend - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By wrgraham - May 4 - 2:00 am

  After 2 years I like the Echo as much as when I started with it. It responds quickly to steering inputs. It accelerates smoothly and strongly. Great turning radius and good visibility makes it so easy to park. Fuel economy is excellent. I agree that the car is not physically attractive, but that fades as an issue when you live with the Echo.

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  Overall Pleased - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By RedEchoGurl - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This was my first car. What attracted me to it was that no one really liked the echos look, and I wanted to be different. I LOVE my little Echo. Wish I would have gotten the 4 door model, but I was trying to save money. Love the acceleration. Love all the extra storage space.

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  Great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By LARRY COLLIE - April 25 - 11:26 am

  Its been a pleasure to drive it. It’s my wife’s car and she loves it. It may not be top of the line but we have had zero problems with it. It just keeps on going with great gas mileage. She averages about 38 in town 45-50 highway - got as high as 55 mpg on one trip.

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  Excellent Economical Car - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By Sharyn - April 12 - 10:16 am

  My Echo is wonderful! It gets between 38-40 mpg, a little less when I run the AC, and Ive never had a mechanical problem with it. Its comfortable for two people, although the back seat is pretty small. I like the fact that my gauges are in the middle of the dash. It makes it a lot easier to not take your eyes off the road. I have to take it into the dealership because apparently, the bottoms of the ECHOs are rusting and they have to fix that, but no problems here as its covered since its part of a recall. It has its little flaws, but nothing any other car doesnt have! Overall, great buy. I am 100% satisfied.

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  A noisy little commuter - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By bmick - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after driving it around town, thinking it was a good buy. Problem: the features changed so much between 02-03, the dealer did not know what I was requesting. I ended up without the split seats, the remote mirrors, and the larger tires. Also, the car is a great around-the- town car, but a pathetic commuter. It is NOISY, POORLY INSULATED, AND TOO LIGHT ON THE FREEWAY IN THE WIND. If you make this purchase, plan to be thrown around on the road and unable to hear your favorite CD playing. Oh, yeah, turn the volume up to max on your cell phone also.

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  disagree with your review - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By scooterbooter - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I own the echo hatch(canada).I love it inside and out .Im 64 and have had no issues completely comfortable.As for the centre mounted gauges, my seated height usually interfered with my view through the steering wheel ,once youve tried it ,its always just there even while spinning the wheel.Handling wise ive driven everything from my old celica and previa up to new f-350 work trucks I can definetly say that my echo handles a twisty road better than anything in my experience its so light you can throw it in to the corners and go fast feeling confident that you can decelerate and manouver in a hurry.

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By John L - March 17 - 3:43 am

  We bought this car new in 2001 and almost 9 years and 93K miles later it is still running perfectly. Zero problems. Routine oil and filter changes, new tires and new brake pads are all its had. Dont expect a sports car or a luxury car. We bought it for high quality, reliable low-cost basic transportation and it has delivered and then some. Wonderful little car.

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  echo - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By george mcfly - March 14 - 10:00 am

  its a good car!!!!

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  Best car Ive ever had. - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By bolvo - March 13 - 10:26 am

  I have had many cars in my life... from Mercedes Benz to Volvos to Nissan and Hondas. But boy did I ever own a Toyota? Not until now. Im 40 and I can tell you reliability and Toyota go together. This little car goes. 5 Speed Standard. 350 miles per tank!! Thats driving all over Houston for 10 days non-stop to the point where you forget what the car rolls on! And finally you remember to look at the fuel gauge... why? Because after 10 days of nothing but driving you are no longer concerned about gas or prices or even worrying about re-fueling. Cold A/C... small; easy to change the oil by yourself, brakes,etc... cheaper to fix... and its a Toyota. Yep, reliable (period).