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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  Just Getting Started - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By stardriver - January 17 - 3:26 pm

  Purchased this silver 2003 auto coupe and knew immediately it was a great choice. Quick, comfortable, fun to drive and excellent mileage--even for an automatic. First mileage check netted 280 miles for 8.5 gallons, netting a very respectable 33 mpg city/highway. Believe it will get 38 hwy easily. Killer sound system, lot of room, huge trunk space for a "small" car. Surprising quiet at freeway speeds. Toyota may have made some mistakes marketing this car, but not in building it. The Yaris sedan is similar but getting one of these at a fraction of the cost and you have a great quality car.

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  Toyota Echo - The easy auto to park - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Bommarito - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Echos are great at shopping mall parking lots. I fit into any open parking space. I have no problems manveuring through small lanes (usually made small by monster cars trying to park). The tight turning radius makes it easy to zip around as needed. Im particularly fond of the 35 mpg Im getting. Good Toyota quality, nothing fancy, but a great city car.

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  Echos For All - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Sullivan, Scott - December 28 - 4:26 pm

  Since me and my wife travel long distance to visit family we bought the Echo. I was dumbfounded by the fuel savings with the performance. Average is about 38-42 highway depending on speed. If we all had cars like this prices would fall at the pump do to the lack of customers.

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  Great Little Car - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By gjben - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is perfect for the type of driving I do. It is almost exclusively city driving and the ECHO is economical beyond belief, rides well, handles easily and is a great little car.

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  My Echo... - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Scott... - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a decent little car, it gets great gas mileage even after four years. I commute about 2hrs each way, 2/3 of my drive is in traffic, heavy traffic and I still get around 33- 34mpg. The other 1/3 of the time, I am going well over 80mph. This car does have a governer on it that kills the power around 115mph which is pretty fast for such a small car. The first 80K miles, I have been doing the tune-ups myself. Everything is very easy to do on this car, I think any girl could even do a full tune-up on it. The only thing I really dislike about the car is every 35k miles, I need new brakes.

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  red egg - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By echonala - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my Echo. Very reliable, easy to drive, really good sound system. The mileage per gallon is about the best I have seen out of any car. I have never had any problems with this car.

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  Great Little Car - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By rk_man99 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  A nice car with a good fuel economy, (rated top 10 in fuel economy, including hybrids) a lot of interrior storage and adequate trunk space.

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  Excellent All Around - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By drdave - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I have put 36000 miles on my Echo in under 2 years, driving it 3,000 across country and 1,600 miles every month on long distance hauls up the I-5 corridor on the West Coast. The fuel efficiency is excellent, the acceleration is among the best I have experienced and it is reliable and roomy. I wish I would have sprung for the power locks but other then that it is great.

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  Unbeliveably dependable - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By BeatleFan - November 16 - 8:50 pm

  We have over 100,000 miles on our Echo and still have the same spark plugs, coolant, battery, clutch...everything except 2 sets of tires and 1 set of brakes. Never had a minutes trouble out of this car, it still drives as well as the day we boughht it new and the fuel economy is awesome. We will definitely by another Echo in 2 years. YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS CAR!

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  Super Awesome 1st Car - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By NateDog - November 15 - 6:23 am

  Recieved as my first vehicle for my 16th birthday, and it has been incredible. Amazing gas mileage, comfortable for long or short drives, spunky acceleration, and cruises like a champion. Cant say anything bad about this car, it is a dream. Drove it all the way to Louisiana from California, 75 the whole way, and it returned 40-42 miles to the gallon! Carried all my junk too, completely packed down with stuff. Buy this car if you are in need of an economical vehicle!!!