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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  well made car for the size and money - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Route19Drive-In - March 28 - 2:00 am

  i have had this car 3 months now i bought it used and im very pleased with it it handels well has good pick up lots of space to store things very roomy interior i have a 2001 Echo 4dr it had 4000 miles on it when i got it it has alumin wheels am fm caseette with cd and many other options i love it and would recomend it to anybody

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  good car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By bryan p - March 24 - 7:36 pm

  I have had this car since 2001, and it has not let me down yet. Gas mileage is off the charts. That is great now with these soaring gas prices. I would get this Echo if your looking for reliable car with great gas mileage

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  Absolutely Nothing to Complain About - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By ccgecko - March 23 - 12:46 am

  Ive had this car for approx. 9 years and am very pleased with the gas mileage, appearance, and performance.

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  Love the Echo! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Echo in Maine - March 18 - 5:30 pm

  I bought my Echo new in 02. Ive had NO problems or repairs since I bought the car. My friends and family (all SUV owners) snickered when I originally bought the car. Im the one laughing now with the gas mileage I get and with gas prices climbing to what they are. A great value in this car!

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  Best Car EVER! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Sammis Dad - March 14 - 10:50 pm

  I bought this 2002 Toyota Echo for my daughter in 2005. It had 59K miles on it then. After 5 years and another 50K miles, this car runs like new! Oil changes and a new set of tires are the only $ invested. Its bright red color & peppy drive make people ask what kind of car is that? After she graduates from college, I will buy my daughter a new car & I plan to drive this ECHO until the wheels fall off, even though I doubt it will happen. On her 1200 mile trips to college, she gets around 45 MPG. I think the ECHO may be one of the best built cars ever made. Im hoping to get over 300,000 miles on this car. You cannot go wrong buying a Toyota Echo.

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  Love My ECHO! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Kevin2 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun little car to drive. Never a problem parking or driving in the city. People are surprised at the amount of interior space. I love having everything built in to the center console. I like how high the seating position is. Plenty of room for tall passengers and driver. I even enjoy the occasional visits to the gas station! Ha Ha!

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  I just love this car! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By S. Bay - March 1 - 1:33 pm

  This car has been the best performing car I have ever owned, and has great gas mileage (almost equal to a hybrid).

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  I love this car. - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Scott - February 23 - 2:20 pm

  This has been the best car I owned hands down. 190,000 miles and still zipping along. Im very tall and this car has better leg and head room than most any other car Ive sat in. Fun to drive and great mileage (38-40 hwy). No work done other than tires and oil changes. Still have original battery and did not need brakes until 150,000 miles. I plan on getting 300,000 out of this and Ill try to find another one for my next car. Stereo system is awsome too.

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  Reliable gas saver - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By John B. - February 15 - 8:56 am

  Excellent car if you enjoy filling up your car with gas knowing it will last a lot longer than that MEGA size SUV next to you. This is an extremly reliable little car with a fairly roomy interior and decent trunk space.

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  Amazing Car. - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By echoman2 - February 10 - 8:16 am

  I inherited this little guy from my parents when i left for college, with 85,000 miles on it. I have since taken it up to 105,000 miles, because I commute every day to school. Even after 100,000 miles there has NEVER been a single maintenance issue. The thing still runs like a champ. I consistently get 40-43 mpg in the city, and 50 on highway trips. It has a decent amount of space, and can fit four people nicely. The trunk is pretty big, and i have crammed quite a bit of stuff in it. Honestly the most economical car i have ever seen or driven. Its also pretty spunky. The acceleration is decent, and she likes the higher rpms. I have beaten this car up and its still running strong.