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:

• 

  Cant beat it - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By echowrangler - November 12 - 1:10 pm

  I bought this vehicle for a commuter. I love it - it sips gas, squeezes into tight parking spots, has great maneuverability. I had one minor problem, the trunk lock broke (wouldnt work with the key, just the interior release). It was fixed at no charge when I brought it in for regular service. NO other problems, only goes in for routine maintenance. Well, one problem - my wife wants to borrow it all the time. I like the interior space and headroom - Im 6 0", 250 lbs.

• 

  Echo, 2000 - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By H. Crowe - November 7 - 1:16 am

  We bought this new and have never had a bad day with it. We sit up nice and high too, and we like where the instrument panel is. It handles great and great mileage. You dont know when you see a good car. Even tall people have found it comfortable, and plenty of luggage space too. Everyone we meet who have one loves theirs too!

• 

  120k+ - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By cmo - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Happily driving the wheels off. Very reliable. Pros are the interior room (Im 62") which is the best in a high fuel economy car Ive ever known, excellent manueverablity and parking. An excellent city car. Cons are crosswind sensitivity (you MUST stay focused on the road on a windy day) and the stunning lack of Toyota aftermarket parts and repair manuals. Much of the car is engineered to make you bring it back to the dealer. I paid $42 for a fuel filter that was mounted in the fuel tank under the rear seat. Tercel (ECHO is a very upgraded Tercel) had a $5 fuel filter under the hood on a fender. OTOH it simply doesnt give any trouble.

• 

  Is There an Echo in Here? - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Jaden Waters - October 31 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I had to get a rent-a-car and decided on a Toyota Echo, not knowing exactly what to expect. What we found surprised us. After driving it a while, we liked it so much we decided to buy one later from a local delearship- the last one on their lot. We thought we could use some insulation from high gas prices by buying an economy car, and let me tell you, the Echo delivered. Between highway and city driving it got 35 plus miles to the gallon. On the highway we got 42- three more miles per gallon than advertised.

• 

  Great car, great mpg, great value - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By sctam1007 - October 17 - 3:20 pm

  After having SUVs, my concern was being able to haul stuff around. With the folding rear seats, Im still able to haul 2X4s and other home improvement items. Great gas mileage (remember the SUVs). It feels much larger on the inside that what you would think. My husband is 64" and has plenty of head/leg room. We also have had 4 plus size people inside and still lots of room. Ive found I can fit more into the trunk than I could in the "trunk" of my Jeep Liberty. I would recommend this car to anyone. It is a great value.

• 

  Great Value - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By cars4dummies - October 12 - 3:29 am

  I am just writing this to make a point. Bougth a brand new 2003 4 door Echo sedan. Really this and a few others were the only cars I could afford back then. No regret! Still solid. Never had any major issues. Ive been up to all the regular maintenance, and changes tires for winter every year. Never had any accidents on icy and snowy roads here in Calgary. Just trying to make a point. I compare this to a brand new 2010 Subaru Forester which turned out to be a $10k more expensive garbage. I am definitely going back to Toyota.

• 

  Unstoppable, Well-Engineered Car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By sgtofmarines75 - September 25 - 4:48 am

  Bought this car brand new in 2000. 13 years and 220,000 miles later, I have no plans to let it go anytime soon. Replaced the catalytic converter at about 150,000 miles, but no other repairs ever needed - routine maintenance only. It does leak some oil now, but thats to be expected at this age. 34-36 MPG avg. combined, city and hwy. Incredibly roomy interior and trunk, given the cars tiny exterior. Interior features are simple and "plastic-y" but are rugged. Engine has plenty of power and pep, but handling leaves a bit to be desired, especially when taking curves at high speed, or in stiff winds. Hard to beat for simple, reliable, and comfortable transportation

• 

  An ECHO to shout about! - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By tallcooloneny - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my 9th vehicle in 20 years of driving, and I must say, it is the BEST one so far. I am a TOYOTA convert thanks to my ECHO, with build quality better than a $40k Caddy....lol

• 

  It will run forever - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By car nut - August 27 - 10:46 pm

  I bought this used in 2005 with 38,000 on it. Had to replaced the windshield in 2006 ( a rock got it) one rear wheel bearing, and two sets of tires. Other than oil changes, and a set of brake pads, it has never failed us. We live in the Midwest and travel a lot to see our family. Its fantastic on gas ( 41 mpg on the flats going to California on one trip.) Im kind of a big guy, 63", and about 260 lbs. and I find the car fairly comfortable. I would buy another one with no worries. Too bad the echo is not made any more.

• 

  Ugly Duckling - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By BB - August 27 - 3:20 am

  I knew that Echos twin, the Vitz, was a very popular car in Japan, so I decided to buy an 01 Echo over the Prius in 2000. The Prius carried a hefty premium at the time. I loaded mine up with options and it was still a bargain. Ive loved the Echo ever since. Its a very simple yet smartly designed & built car. Some say its not the best looking car, but, its value and economy make up for its appearance. My family depends on it daily as our primary car. It has not let us down.