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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  Saving money and time - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By L C McClure - November 23 - 8:03 am

  This vehicle has served my transportation needs admirably, since the first day of ownership! Maintenance and performance records have fulfilled my ideals of auto ownership frugality - in time saved and money well spent. This car has proven itself to be an adequate replacement for the Chevy Geo, which is no longer produced. I expect it to "run" for a full one hundred thousand miles + !

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  Toyota ECHO - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By kneisl1 - November 22 - 8:23 pm

  I have owned this car for 15 months now and have had absolutely no trouble with it. It is an EXCELLENT small car, probably the best small car built in terms of quality, price, performance, and comfort.

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  Toyota Echo - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Judy - November 19 - 6:03 am

  Handles beautifully - havent seen the "wobbleness" noted by Edmunds. Gas mileage great - last fill up was 39.8 mpg (I drive conservatively). The 2001 model sold me on getting the 2005, and the 2005 is great!

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  Actually a 4-door HATCHBACK-Canada - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Lori - November 14 - 5:50 pm

  Ive never loved my car before this--I always bought for practicality and was very happy with the much-recommended, long-lived Tercels since 1984. The ECHO HATCHBACK is cute, fun, different, economical, and comfortable. Maybe not so different anymore--theyre popping up everywhere! I get 46MPG (the larger Canadian gallons)in real life driving, which has only a few 5 minute stretches of 80km/h (50mph)--no real highway driving. Toyota makes terrific, reliable cars, and now they have a CUTE one too!

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  My Echo...My Echo...My Echo - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By mailmanfrank - November 4 - 2:00 am

  The car performs well, giving good gas mileage and stability.I am pleased with the positioning of the guages and speedometer. I have found that there is amble leg room for drivers and passengers(front seat). The cargo capabilties (trunk) are amazingly good. I would probably look to buy another Echo in the future.

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  ECHO can you hear me - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By karma13 - November 2 - 10:00 am

  I was thinking about buying a Honda but I am glad I chose the ECHO. It is alot of fun. It looks kind of like a Jetta but its better becasue its not a vw. I read the reviews where people didnt like the body so much but I love it.

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  Hatchback review from Sydney - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By SydneyGirl - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Hi guys, after reading that the US dont have Hatchbacks I thought I would post my own review up, I have a silver hatchback Echo, 4 door, 1.3L engine that I purchased in July last year. It is an excellent car, I was trying to decide between it and the Daihatsu Sirion (both were same price, but the Sirion had electric everything + CD) but ended up going with the Echo for its solid construction. I havent regretted it, great car, very fun to drive, handles well, reliable and you can pack so much into it.

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  Loving it - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By SCOTT - October 20 - 7:00 am

  I cannot say enough about how I feel about this car . One word says it best, great. I love everything about it, from its storage withen to its 40 mpg. We live a couple of hours from Charlette NC and have taken our Echo at least 7 times not to mention a couple of trips to Tenn. and S.C. My wife is now saying that she is going to start to drive it to work because of gas prices. I usually fill it up every 2 weeks sometimes longer. When we bought it, it had 39k now we are at about 50k and still going strong.

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  I love this car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By cassandral - October 19 - 8:56 am

  I bought this car used with 114k miles. It is my first car and its perfect for me. I was shocked at how much room there is inside-it looks so tiny from outside. Im 59" and I never have enough leg room in my moms car-2000 Dodge Neon. In my Echo I actually had to move the seat up so I was closer to the wheel! But yet its also small enough that I can park literally anywhere. It handles really nicely on hills and on curves, and barely takes any time to accelerate. The trunk is huge and has a really cute secret compartment with the jack. I havent had this car very long so I dont know about the reliability, but the dealer gave me a free 3year warranty b/c even he knows nothing will go wrong!

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  Indestructible - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By ddmyers - October 5 - 6:30 pm

  Best little economy car on Earth ! Shes 7 years old now, and not a single problem or repair, with the exception of the "rusty floorboard recall" of several years ago. Just routine maintenance. You could drive this car into a volcano, and it would still run. Fairly comfortable to drive on long trips. The interior has held up well - - - - the seats still look like new! And I actually like the center-mounted gauges; steering wheel and hands dont obstruct their viewing. Not affected by the recent Toyota recalls. The only thing that I can complain about is that I wish she had a little more power.