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:

• 

  Hot! Pocket Rocket - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By James Fidelis - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent fuel economy, great performance, agile and fun to drive. For the size, has exceptional comfort. Needs more available options. I could have bought any car I desired. I tested everything from a Camry down and chose the Echo because its just so fun to drive and to cute to ignore.

• 

  Good Commuter Car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By macchick - August 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Echo because I commute almost 90 miles a day round trip and needed something that gets good mileage. Overall, an excellent choice due to the ergonomic and comfortable seats, controls, and design which enables shorter drivers to actually see the road. Its cheaper to buy than a Corolla and in many ways just as good or better.

• 

  Excellent, efficient, big inside - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By dnarich - August 11 - 7:36 am

  This is an excellent vehicle. With careful driving, I routinely get 43-44 miles per gallon (average city+highway, manual transmission). No repairs in 61000 miles, runs "like a top". Preferred vehicle by my 89 year-old mother because of the high seat height and the easy access front doors, and the excellent headroom.

• 

  Best little darn car ever! - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By curleytink - August 7 - 10:00 am

  A great little car... wonderful on the highway.. perfect in the city.. able to park anywhere with ease... just the best for the price. I love my Echo.. and would like it better if some of the fancy stuff was upgraded.

• 

  good car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Allisonne - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Spunky, very agile and fuel economy is terrific. Trunk holds a lot too.

• 

  2002 Toyota Echo - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Deb368 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Although this vehicles styling may be a little hard to get used to at first, I personally fell in love with it. It makes for an attractive car that doesnt look like the average cheeply made subcompact. In addition, it proves to be a reliable car that has good pick-up and is fun to drive. The only feature I wish it had was power locks, and perhaps power mirrors (which, by the way, some swear that the Echo has never come with, but were in the one that I test-drove).

• 

  Echo2001 - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By fcramas - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I love this vehicle since its a low fuel consumption

• 

  Great But... - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By KevinJackson - June 28 - 10:00 am

  The Car is great but this car makes you CAR SICK easy after a while. It does NOT have a clock inside!

• 

  2001 Toyota Echo - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Perfect student car - June 22 - 6:50 pm

  From the first day I got this car, I am satisfied. It is a perfect car for students because it is excellent on gas and very reliable. Though I do recommend the automatic for first time drivers. Throughly, its a car you get addicted to.

• 

  34/40 mpg w/automatic - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By madpat - June 19 - 10:00 am

  mgp is great, could use a bit more eng power. good size trunk. get the powerstering,ac,bigger wheels on 2005. get 4 doors. a bit road nosie.when will it be found on road dead? relability and quality still testing and will test good on wash d.c. roads. ok for nothing special car.