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:
Showing 31 through 40 of 431.00-
Gem of a Car - 2002 Toyota Echo
By solid citizen - July 2 - 10:00 amI bought my 2002 ECHO brand new back in 2002. Over 6+ years later, shes still a winner. Not many vehicles can boast that after 5 years they are problem- free, reliable, economical and stylish. I am SO glad I decided on getting an ECHO. Still cute as ever. This car is a gem. Something ECHO owners know very well. Best car ever made, without a doubt.
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A Great Little Car. - 2003 Toyota Echo
By myrick - June 30 - 5:06 pmBought the car in Feb. 2006 and my wife and I have enjoyed it. We bought it with 33,000 miles on it and it just went over 100,000 miles today. The oil gets changed every 3,000 miles and we had new hoses and belts put on last summer and a new A/C relay Fuse last spring but thats about it that we have had to do to it. It was in a wreck about 3 years ago, the left back corner smashed in causing about 4,000 dollars of damage but because of its high resale value it was not written out as totaled so we were able to get it fixed up. It has a few hail dents and some scratches but still runs great. Drove it from Oklahoma to Wisconsin last summer averaging 38 miles to a gallon. Great little car.
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Gas Mileage - 2001 Toyota Echo
By miataman - June 30 - 10:00 amThis car is as close to a hybrid as you get. On my first trip from Ohio to New York I filled up when I left Ohio and fueled again when I got home and got 49 miles to the gallon!! I could not believe it myself! This car is a bare bones Echo with a 5 speed, no A/C not even power steering. Needless to say I was very impressed with the mileage. The car handles well but an small car, except for strong cross winds on the highway sometimes. But I guess that is the price you pay for low weight and GREAT fuel mileage! The car is very well put together and I would recommend to anyone looking for an inexpensive but reliable car. Love my Echo!!
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I Love My New Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
By S. Harris - June 16 - 10:00 amI bought my new (2003) Echo about 5 days ago. I have had nothing but good things to say about it since. The gas mileage is great, It has a lot more power than I expected. It is a lot of fun to drive and the interior room is phenomenal.
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ECHO...you know I like it! - 2001 Toyota Echo
By kneisl1 - May 28 - 10:00 amThis car gets excellent fuel economy, about 38-40 mpg in town, five speed transmission. This car is incredibly roomy inside for its size. It sits high up off the ground making entry and exit easy on my bad back. Other cars in this class require a limbo dance to get into, then feel like youre riding on a skate board in traffic theyre so low to the ground. Engine is surprizingly powerfull for a car of this size, it has all the power one could ask for. Car has been utterly reliable over two years, 11,500 miles.
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Great Car for the Bucks - 2001 Toyota Echo
By francisdelapena - May 22 - 10:00 amI have had this Car since October 2001. It is fun to drive, and gets great mileage for less then $12.00 for a full tank of gas. It has a smooth engine, it does not seem to have the jumpy engine when you press the gas, thanks to the VVT-i engine. It feels very durable when you drive. It does not feel like it is going to fall apart on me at all. The A/C is very good, it can get very cold very fast. The interior is very spacious with enough head space above.
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Great Toyota - 2003 Toyota Echo
By AquariusGrrl - April 29 - 10:00 amI was hesitant to consider the Toyota Echo when I was car shopping, because they were so ugly in the past. I was determined to find an inexpensive practical car didnt feel " cheap". I was surprised and delighted to find that the 2003 Echos had been "restyled", as the Echo brochure proudly pointed out! The new Echos look like small Corollas instead of a squashed looking version of a car. With a spoiler, it looks zippy, and of course it drives great. I am very happy with my choice.
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I Love this Car - 2001 Toyota Echo
By CaLaCrJo - April 17 - 2:00 amI have read the edmunds review and have to ask what in the world were they thinking. If your comparing this car to a luxury car with all the bells and whistles I can understand why you might trash this car. But, I dont understand when compared to other like vehicles how bad things can be said. It comes across like edmunds reviewers are snobs. This is a wonderful and reliable car.
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THE AWESOME ECHO - 2001 Toyota Echo
By *PrincessHeather* - April 15 - 10:00 amThe ECHO is a great car. its little, stylish, and very good on gas milage. i would recommend it to any parents buying a car for their teenager. i remember the 1st time i saw an echo...i was in love. though the wind might affect it, its not that hard to control. with the echo you really get alot for your money. i think that the fact that i could have had almost anycar i wanted (except maybe a Lamborghini) and i chose the ECHO, speaks very highly of it. The Rio, Accent, Focus, or Neon have nothing on the ECHO, i truely believe that its the best car of the 21st century.
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Fun Subcompact big value - 2004 Toyota Echo
By guye - April 5 - 10:00 amToyota fit, finish & reliability. Fun to drive and great on gas. Great in the city & on the highway. With the 5 speed manual gear this little car does real nice in the performance department too. For people with two young kids and need for just a bit of luggage or as a second car, this car is great! (5man/HB)
