Overview & Reviews

In an effort to better protect occupants of this lightweight economy car, Toyota makes side airbags optional for 2001. Brilliant Blue Pearl is a new color.

• Good gas mileage, speedy acceleration, roomy and functional interior, likely to be reliable.

• Cartoonish styling, dopey gauge placement, lousy handling, deceptively low base pricing.

User Reviews:

Showing 61 through 70 of 91.00

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  Not only for young drivers - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By fishinguy - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Echo after measuring the ground-to-seat height, and finding it similar to my elderly fathers favorite chair, the one he could most easily use. The law of gravity aided his descent into his own car, but getting out of it was another matter. After 6 months his health and strength improved. The "master plan" was to then sell the Echo, but Id grown very fond of it, enjoy driving it, and also appreciate the ease of access and superior side visibility for viewing scenery. The variable valve timing makes this little 1.5 liter engine seem peppy. I plan to keep my Echo forever, and I expect no problems for quite a long time.

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  I like my Echo - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Caperton - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have only three complaints: 1) lack of speed control 2) poor lighting of odometer 3) almost invisible light for headlights when on low Otherwise it is fun to drive, economical on the mileage, and surprisingly powerful, given that it is a "plain vanilla" sort of car.

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  This thing is a workhorse - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By tony22r - November 17 - 2:00 am

  This Echo is a little workhorse. It just goes and goes and goes! Smooth as the day I bought it. A lot roomier inside than it looks. Control placement is well thought out. Everything is just built right on the Echo!

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  Good but could have been great - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By what could have been - July 1 - 8:03 am

  Bought used in may 2005 with 24,940 miles on it. It now has 34,600 miles on it. Had to fix a/c all new o-rings + recharge Freon for $150.00. Just fixed tie rod end link bushing-left front side $75.00. I avg 27 mpgs in winter short trip cold motor. The 1 long highway trip I took (150 miles round trip) I got 40.5 mpgs with the auto trans + a little a/c usage. Since I owned it I am averageing 32.5 mpgs. I had 195/60 14 tires put on but they had high rolling resistance. I didnt know this at the time I got them so I lost about 3 mpgs. I save every gas reciept. This car needs a more powerfull a/c system it only holds 17 oz of Freon crosswinds are hell in this thing on the highway. City driving is ok.

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  Overall Pleased - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By RedEchoGurl - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This was my first car. What attracted me to it was that no one really liked the echos look, and I wanted to be different. I LOVE my little Echo. Wish I would have gotten the 4 door model, but I was trying to save money. Love the acceleration. Love all the extra storage space.

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  Great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By LARRY COLLIE - April 25 - 11:26 am

  Its been a pleasure to drive it. It’s my wife’s car and she loves it. It may not be top of the line but we have had zero problems with it. It just keeps on going with great gas mileage. She averages about 38 in town 45-50 highway - got as high as 55 mpg on one trip.

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By John L - March 17 - 3:43 am

  We bought this car new in 2001 and almost 9 years and 93K miles later it is still running perfectly. Zero problems. Routine oil and filter changes, new tires and new brake pads are all its had. Dont expect a sports car or a luxury car. We bought it for high quality, reliable low-cost basic transportation and it has delivered and then some. Wonderful little car.

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  Echo rebukes OPEC - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By amosgirl - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my fine Camry for this awesome best- kept-secret blessing of a car! I have nothing but praise for its Lexus-based engine that electronically discerns how much fuel is necessary for moment-by-moment driving conditions. No profit margin in it so advertising is sparse; dealers will not mention it, nor have many in stock. I encourage you to pursue checking it out. Much better value than a Civic or even a Corolla. The interior is so roomy it seems to be an illusion. Great interior cubby places for storage. Brilliant!

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  Echo is a great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By txdotbill - February 3 - 10:00 am

  The whole look of the Echo is unconventional. I have had my son note that kids his age turn to look at it as we pass. It is a car with a surprising amount of pickup, manueverability and emergency speed capabilities than I ever expected of a 4 cylinder car. While I have noted a slight handling problem in high winds but didnt expect SUV handling in a sub-compact. My tall friends have remarked how roomy the car is and the interior appointments are great. I got it loaded including a cruise control and would trade it for nothing in a comparable range. The gas mileage is great and helps the economy of my 154 mile per day commute.

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  red egg - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By echonala - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my Echo. Very reliable, easy to drive, really good sound system. The mileage per gallon is about the best I have seen out of any car. I have never had any problems with this car.