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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  Good for Gas Mileage - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By AJ - June 1 - 12:00 am

  The Toyota Echo is gets really good gas mileage and it has a lot more trunk space than you would expect.

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  2000 Echo Sedan - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Frank - December 26 - 8:23 pm

  I bought my manual transmission equipped Echo to tow on the ground behind my motorhome because of its light weight and Toyotas known reliability and I have not been disappointed.

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  Cannot go wrong with Toyota! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Linda Lou - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely love my new Toyota Echo! Best fuel economy, of any car I have ever owned. Sleek, sporty exterior. Roomy interior, big trunk capacity. Unusually fiesty drive, for a small 4- cylinder. Beautiful paint, black sand pearl. Also own a Camry V6 LE 1996, and would recommend Toyota to everyone!

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  Cheap and Reliable town commuting - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By lostfido - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for two years now. Its not a bad little car overall. Im a chronically single computer geek, so the embarrassment in front of potential in-laws clause doesnt apply to me. :) I like my life. I dont have issues with the styling, so Im not going to comment on it. When I bought this car, my objectives were to get the cheapest possible car vs. potential durability. I like to think I achieved that by getting the cheapest model from a very reputable car maker. The basic model was sufficient for me: no cd player, no side-beam air bags, and etc. Besides its great for a fat person on a budget (like me!).

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  2003 Echo 4Dr Sedan - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By CarFan - October 4 - 5:10 pm

  Dependable, economical & fun small car to drive - especially during times of high gas prices. This car is excellent for city driving and ok for shorter highway trips. Its light weight makes it easily swayed by passing trucks and not the best traction on snowy roads. It could use cruise control & arm rests.

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  My Little Echo - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By sarahjh - August 8 - 2:00 am

  First it seemed as if I was sitting on a board..a hard wooden board. The seats needs more padding. Hate to reach over to lock the doors. No salesman offered me extra options such as automatic windows, etc !!

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  good little car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By ray - July 25 - 9:40 am

  great little car, little gas to operate no major problems so far

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  Great Commuter Car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By jludes - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car almost a year ago to commute back and forth to college. I am getting 37 mpg on average(not too bad). There has been no problems for the first 18500 miles. Acceleration with the 5 speed is suprisingly good. I put on aftermarket 16" TRD wheels with low profile tires. This helped the horrible handling a lot. Overall, great commuter.

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  Amazing Car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Echo - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Echo new in 1999. I have been driving it now for 11 years and I never had to turn the key twice. Im at 140K now and other than the oxygen sensors triggering the check engine light, this car has been amazing. I want to keep driving it to see how many miles I can get on it. My last good car was a 1989 Toyota extended cab which I loved.

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  Excellent Value and Safe - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By MSmith - March 7 - 1:50 pm

  I bought a 2001 4-door, Auto. Trans. Toyota Echo twice. 2 weeks apart. The 1st Echo was destroyed by an idiot that smashed into me while he was trying to cross 4 lanes of traffic. The front end of my Echo was completely crumpled, both airbags deployed, and the car was completely totaled. I was so impressed by this cars ability to protect me and my boy (he was completely unharmed, and I only suffered seat belt abrasions), I imm. bought another one to replace it. It has been 4 years now, 96k miles, and I have had only two minor probs: the CD player got fried the 1st year for unknown reasons and the gear shift light doesnt always light up. Also: I avg. 36 mpg despite my jack-rabbit starts.