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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  The perfect commuter car - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By catomaior - February 11 - 3:03 am

  I owned my ECHO for five years and if it wasnt for the need of more space for the child seat, I would still have it. It is a lot of fun to drive, sprinty and light. The inside is roomy albeit cheapy (you have space for everything you want). The gas milage is unbeatable (I averaged 35 MPG on my daily usage, meaning about 20-25 bucks a month on the gas). The handling was always challenging, though, especially with strong winds on heavy rainfall (not rare in Seattle). Once, only my rally driving training helped me keep the car on the road when I had to make an abrupt emergency maneuver on a wet road to dodge a deer. Also, with more than once passenger, the engine is a little underpowered.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By B4rK0d3 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  First car Ive ever owned, and being a college student, its awesome on the mileage. I generally get around 35 mpg, and thats a combination of highway and street driving. Recently, I moved 2000 miles across the country, with the car packed full of everything I owned. The weight was so high that the back tires were almost completely in the wheel-wells! This car performed the ENTIRE trip like it didnt have anything but the driver in the car. I have never had any problem with the car whatsoever, and I would totally recommend this car to anybody...ANYBODY. I couldnt be happier in the past year and a half that Ive owned this vehicle.

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  looks neat, runs well - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By rw - November 17 - 10:00 am

  A good value for the money, easy to drive and get in/out of.

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  Funtional Car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By VANED9726 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  Economic with a good picot. A good car to be parked in any parking lot.

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  2000 ECHO ECHO - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By CAJUNMAMOU - November 7 - 10:00 am

  BOUGHT IT WITH 80K MILES, THE BEST CAR I EVER OWNED BECAUSE OF THE ROOMINESS AND GAS MILEAGE. CAST IORN TOYOTA RELIABILITY ADDED CRUISE AND POWER DOOR LOCKS. GREAT FACTORY SOUND SYSTEM. A LITTLE SHORT ON PERFORMANCE EXPECTED IN RETURN FOR FUEL MILEAGE. 31 TO 37 COMMUTER MILEAGE (REAL NOT INFLATED) CANT WAIT TO SEE LONG HIGHWAY MILEAGE. MY DAUGHTER KEEPS ASKING TO USE IT AND SHE HAS A MIATA. HAVE AN ISUZU TROOPER AND LEAVE IT PARKED FOR USE OF THE ECHO.

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  2000 Echo, loving it - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Al - November 3 - 8:43 pm

  I purchased this car for my son in May 2005 with 88000 miles on it and have since added 6000 miles without any troubles. Its a solid little car which gets excellent mpg. With the price of gas going high, I was lucky to pick this up.

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  Endearing little machine - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By James and Joanna - September 29 - 10:06 pm

  This car has won me over. Despite the awful center-mount gauges and ugly styling, Toyota did its homework. Interior space is larger than its subcompact rating would suggest, as is its trunk. The interior materials, while not much on a quality impression, are extremely hard wearing. Few rattles are to be heard. The ride is comfortable for a car with such a short wheelbase, but handling can be squirrelly especially at higher speeds or in crosswinds. The motor isnt exactly refined but even saddled with an automatic transmission it moved the car with surprising swiftness and equally impressive fuel economy - low 30s on my short commute with a/c and near 40 on long trips.

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  SOLID CAR - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By newtonent - September 29 - 10:00 am

  NO PROBLEMS,GREAT GAS MILEAGE,INSTRUMENTS ARE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE,SOLID BUILD, THE CAR HAS A TENDANCY TO ROLL AROUND A BIT IN AN OFF CANTER TURN AT 100 MPH.BUT ITS SOMETHING YOU LEARN TO LIVE WITH.

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  Great little car! - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By busymom7 - August 18 - 11:16 pm

  This incredible little car is fun to drive and gets awesome gas mileage, even in town. My fifteen year old keeps bugging me about driving it and THINKS she will get to drive it when she gets her license - but theres no way she will get it away from MOM! The interior headroom is surprising. My six foot four husband fits without brushing his hair on the roof, much less his head! Love the pep, love the zip. Great little car!

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  Toyota Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By Mimerlan - August 12 - 10:00 am

  We have really enjoyed our Toyota Echo. If you are not after luxury, this is one to consider. It gets great gas mileage, and it has plenty of leg room. Our son is 62" and he has no complaints with the head and leg room. It has plenty of pep for passing and take-offs. And it cruises nicely down the road at 70 mph. It sets up higher than any compact car we considered. It also has plenty of trunk space. For the price, comfort and economy you cant beat it!