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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  32 mpg since when - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By boomer - August 20 - 3:53 am

  The Edmunds review says 32 mpg. The Echo seems to have a variable mileage with actual mileage being closer to the 32 mark in sub-zero weather. However in actual driving here in Wisconsin I consistently get 40-42 mpg. Above 50 degrees I have gotten as much as 44 mpg. lately on a vehicle with over 110,000 miles on it. Funky steering in the wind, funky looking, but very roomy inside and well-built body. Id buy one again in a heartbeat and no Im not selling the one I have.

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  Not just a commuter car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Joan - August 4 - 12:00 am

  After 3+ years, I still love this car: spacious compared with any other small car, miserly gas mileage, no operating problems, great pick-up, nimble handling, can be parallel parked with 1" to spare at each end (honest!), instruments in plain sight (not hiding behind the steering wheel). Until this summer Id never driven it farther than 200 miles from home: wasnt sure how its oomph would handle steep grades on I-70 thru Colorados Front Range and how its light weight would handle high winds on the Great Plains. Mtns: had to opt for the slow lane a few times after losing momentum to pokey vehicles ahead, else OK to good. Plains and Prairies: TOO good! (speeding ticket in Iowa)

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  Makes Being Thrifty Fun - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By ALW - July 27 - 10:00 am

  The car is unbelievably roomy for its size (headroom and legroom are outstanding, even for 6-footers). The engine is smooth and responsive. The exterior styling, grows on you, and the interior design is brilliant. The amount of storage space in the interior...with its myriad, smartly designed cubby-holes...allows you to fit everything you want to take with you to have its own space. Gas efficiency is, of course, excellent. Visibility, due to the high seating position, is as good as any car Ive ever driven. Even the trunk is surprisingly large. Reliability, so far, seems typical Toyota.

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  Light as a feather and a lifesaver - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Ethan - July 25 - 6:03 pm

  "Wow its zippy!" were my first words when I first drove this car. The acceleration is very responsive, the small engine was more than enough for this featherweight (just beware strong wind and rain), and it got better mileage than most hybrids. Its certainly stylish, and although the interior is lackluster, the high instrument panel to the right of the driver allowed for better eye contact with the road. For eight years, with regular oil changes and diagnostics, I never had a single problem with the car until I drove the car into another. The front crumpled, saving my life, but it crumpled far too easily and the car was totaled while the other car barely got a scratch.

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  Excellent Investment - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Airedale - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Totally satisfied with power, ride, and comfort. Goes over bumps and railroad tracks smoother than my previous larger car. Excellent visibility all around and more space than needed.

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  Awesome Little Spunky Car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By kievyn - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Must have for the small budgeted individual. Has style, spirit. A great little "puudle-skipper!"

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  Great Car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By snook - July 5 - 10:16 pm

  You wont regret buying this car. It is very powerful when carrying only 1 or 2 passengers. However, too much weight and it starts to get substantially bogged down. The interrior is very nice and Ive grown to like the center console very much. I find the seats to be very comfortable. The wind does blow the car around - especially at high speeds. This car is very light weight and is very fun to drive.

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  We Love Our Echo - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Newt - July 3 - 3:16 am

  We have had nothing but good luck with our Echo. We get an average of 38 miles to the gallon and we have kept track of it since we bought the car. It is great! It fits my 65" father in the back seat no problem and let me tell you there are few cars that can do that. You feel like you are attached to the road which is something my husband and I really like. It has great turning radius! It is just plain cute! We live in a very snowy state and it hasnt had any more trouble than other cars. We feel like we are doing our part to reduce gas use. I wish more people would do that because we do have a hard time finding our car in the parking lot with all the huge cars surrounding it.

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  Great Car - No Major Repairs - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Angela - June 22 - 11:03 pm

  I have had this car for about 8 years and the only things I have had to do is oil changes and new tires. Nothing else has needed to be repaired! It also gets great gas mileage. Best car in the world!

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  2001 Echo - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Echo 2001 - June 14 - 10:00 am

  Awesome little car. Easy to drive. Great gas mileage. It is the best small car built when you consider price, performance, comfort, QUALITY, and RELIABILITY!