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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  Best purchase I ever made! - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Rod - September 22 - 8:16 pm

  I have over 80,000 miles on my Echo. It has run perfectly since the 1st day. If I keep it under 65 mph on freeway I get over 40 MPG. It cost less than $13,000 "out the door". It will take hybrid buyers a long time to make up the difference in purchase price. It accelerates great, handles great! It is a little noisey on the freeway and the shifting is a little rough sometimes but I can put up with that considering I can go over 400 miles on 10 gallons of gas.

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  Cheap and good - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Lumpierre - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had over 10 Toyotas over the years. This is my second Echo. They are cheap, attractive, great mileage and reliable. For someone living on a steady income, it is great! One more advantage: for people with disabilities: the drivers seat is so high that it gives a full view of what is ahead of you; fantastic in that aspect!

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  My Echo - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Bob - September 21 - 2:56 pm

  I use this vehilce to comute. It is comfortable and provides lots of space. I would buy another in a heartbeat. Good value for the money.

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  2nd car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By doug/toyman - September 16 - 2:00 am

  bought from relative 1 yr old/ great mileage. revs high on cold days (normal ; miss cruise control. great audio package. rougher ride than camray.

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  Most Reliable Car Ever - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Drek4 - September 9 - 7:40 am

  This car is very reliable and besides normal maintenance, have hardly done any repairs on it in my four years of ownership. I`m 6`4" so it`s roomy except a little tight for the legs. This car has great fuel economy, so it`s great for trips. The car is surprisingly agile and very nervous for it`s size. I use it mainly for driving to work, trips on occasion and as my winter car.

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  Reliablity is #1 - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By gkkano - September 5 - 4:40 am

  No problems, fuel economy is as close to a hybrid as possible, needs power window and tachometer options like the Japanese models [its pictured in the owners manual], if youre just looking for a runabout car that is easy to park in small places, sips fuel, wont attract to much attention, not on anyones major stolen cars lists--this is the car. Reliability is the key, if it doesnt start and go--who cares what it looks like.

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  Echo life - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Angry Qt - August 15 - 1:40 pm

  This week I ended my affair with my 2000 Toyota Echo due to a collision, the car was totaled. It sustained front and rear damage and left me completely umharmed. By far this is the best car I have ever owned and I would recommend this car to anyone wanting a reliable car that is good on gas. Unfortunately I only owned the car for a year, but in that year the only repair I had were replacing the O2 sensor and the funny check engine light problem that was simply foxed by pulling a fuse out for 30 secs.

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  Best Car Ever - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Love my ECHO SF CA! - August 12 - 2:10 am

  I bought my 2000 green 4 door Echo with only 15 miles on it. The car is simple, economical, and extremely reliable. Of all the car that I have owned, the Toyota ECHO is my favorite car.

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  Top quality in its class - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By wilhelm - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I test drove several cars in its price range, while some where cheaper and others had better base bells and whistles, it was the quality construction of the vehicle and tightness of the drivetrain that won me over. Id rather have a car that will last 20 years than an engine that wears out before the power windows.

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  Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By ECHO Rider - July 28 - 10:00 am

  A very good car. Its little weak engine accelerates it just fine, thanks to the light weight of the car and decent aerodynamics. The car rides smoothly and quietly. In fast turns you do feel some body roll. The center- mounter instrument cluster is a great feature, it makes driving easier when a cop is behind you. Switching your eyes from the speedo, to the cop in the rearview, then to the road has never been easier. Also has an excellent stereo. And Ive never seen so much storage in a vehicle! It has Toyota reliability, but the interior quality could have been better.