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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  Why does Edmonds hate on the ECHO? - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By dllibrarian - November 12 - 4:08 pm

  I bought an ECHO in 2001 even after reading what Edmonds had to say about it. The car is still going strong after 176,000 miles. Even at age ten, the ECHO has more testicular fortitude than the 2012 Hyundai Accent I test-drove last weekend. And, with all due respect to the reviewers, I happen to like the unusal "cartoon" styling of the ECHO, especially when car companies are all turning out their own versions of the same car. Viva la difference!

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  Best Buy for the Money - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Marc Yu - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Great overall value. Warren Brown, the car editor for the Washington Post, just helped his daughter get one and he cant believe how great this car is for the money. The seat material and shape need help, though. Lots of help.

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  FAST - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By iced - October 16 - 10:00 am

  IT IS FAST IT CAN GO 0-60 IN 4.3

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  love it - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By hoppy - October 16 - 10:00 am

  exactly the right design and function for a small town car. Not designed, nor particularly road-comfortable for long trips = over 200 miles.

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  Best car for first time driver - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Nuno - October 3 - 8:13 am

  I bought this car for my wife for her to learn how to drive, not only was she comfortable, it was fun to drive. We even took it from NY to North Carolina and Virginia Beach. We made a great trip, Never had any problem with it. and Gas consumption, on that trip was over 36 mpg and in city is around 32-35. Very easy to park, and to find park for. This car was a great experience for us.

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  YUCK - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By BEWARE - September 24 - 7:43 pm

  Very uncomfortable, even for local commute. Boring, and gets uglier with each day I drive it. Would never buy a Toyota again. Fuel economy is less than my brothers Ford Focus, which costs less and is more fun to drive.

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  45 mpg gold mine - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Carla J. - September 21 - 10:30 am

  I purchased this car because I was traveling 136 miles daily to and from work. I dont know how Toyota made a car that is so peppy (it made me feel 10 years younger just driving it) yet so easy on gas (45mpg). Its a small car but it rides great. The trunk room is unbelievable and if you need more room the back seats fold down. I love the simplicity (fewer things to go wrong with it). Ive added flames and white letter tires to spruce up the looks of it. I call it the little car nobody wanted because it had been on the car lot for several months and nobody wanted it because it had a manual transmission and the way it looked. Their loss, my gain!

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  Great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Chopper - September 13 - 5:30 am

  With gas prices close to $4 per gallon, I had to step down from my Yukon XL and wanted the most economical car I could find without going hybrid. I didnt know what an Echo was, but in my research, this car continued to show up with top ratings and top MPG. I have had the car several months and several thousand miles and the reviews were right. Gas mileage 36-38 combined driving, with interstate driving at 70 mph. I am very pleased with the car and would consider another. Better performance than a 2000 Ford Focus I also own. It is amazing what that 1.5 L engine can do with this car. I plan to keep this one for a long time.

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  Good Car - Bad Dealer - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By donutman - September 11 - 10:00 am

  This car is remarkably quick for its engine size and is fun to drive. I wish I could say the same of the dealer, who lied to us about the cost of installing a CD Player, which is still not working after 4 trips to the dealer. The only dangerous thing about this car is its spedometer that is only marked every 20 MPH. It is very easy to drive faster than you intend, since most people are used to having each large mark on the spedo be 10 MPH not 20 MPH as in this vehicle.

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  Gone but not forgotten - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By pprodshd - August 31 - 9:26 am

  This is an epitaph as our "toy car" was recently totaled while parked on the street. At 93K miles, we had done oil changes and a $150 brake job. We enjoyed 2+ years with no payment or service needs. Was a great city car and always an adventure going 70 mph with a cross wind. It had 100% more charisma than any other sub compact from then or now. She will be missed. Probably moving into a civic. BORING