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 best for the best money - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Walace Langame - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I"m very please to inform that this is the absolutely best vehicle for the money, not only but as well a fun car to drive. Thank you Toyota so much! Walace R Langame!

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  Great gas mileage - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Big Kahuna - March 10 - 9:14 pm

  Im a big guy and there is plenty of room. Great gas mileage. $20 fills her up and cheap to maintain. Whats not to like.

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  I Love My Car! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By sxylump - March 4 - 4:25 pm

  I have had my Echo since 2004 and I absolutely love it! It is zippy and gets wonderful gas mileage. It runs great and is a trooper in the snow (and We get a lot of snow where I live too). I recently took it to the local Toyota dealer for inspection and they said everything is still in great shape. I know when it comes time to buy a new car, it will be a sad day for me to part with my Echo.

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  Cant kill this car! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By kosarin - March 4 - 7:33 am

  Bought new in 2000. Other than initial problem w/o2 sensor, have had almost no repairs. Keep thinking of buying a new car but why bother?

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  a unique car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By elliotte21 - February 15 - 3:56 am

  When I bought my ECHO, at first I had a few reservations. I had never owned a small car, never owned anything less than a V-8. I waw; however, plesantly surprised. The ECHO has plenty of room my me, and Ive fit up to 4 of my friends comfortably in it. As for power, it even has plenty of that.

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  GREAT COMMUTER CAR - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By boggerguy - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car specifically for commuting(gas mileage) it turned to be great..the car has 11.9 gal tank and I get about 400 miles to tank and thats going 80 mph everywhere. I also travel alot of dirst roads around so I developed a window alignment problem fixed by dealer... overall great commuter car highly recommend it

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  Echo Is Our Best Car Ever! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By HARRY jOLLEY - January 22 - 4:53 am

  We bought our 2002 Echo new at the end of 2001. It has driven us to New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut and more. This car has never, ever let us down. It plows through deep snow like its a big car, it drives well in the rain, and withstands wind. On the interior, all those little cubbyholes keep the little car clear of clutter and the extra height is nice for the view on long rides. And, oh yeah, 25-30 highway mpgs even after all these years. We will never, ever, sell this car!

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  Its all good from here! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Joshie - January 5 - 8:46 am

  This car is the best car for your money. It is so roomy and has so much storage it seems unnecessary to have the amount that it does. I have had 5 people in my car and everyone fits comfortably. I am also 68" and I fit in with no problem. Although the fuel economy is not what is listed (28 city) I think I drive too fast to get what is listed, but highway seems very good. Even though this car is small it can sustain a speed hovering around 80 mph. This car is great.

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  Great car, but somewhat uncomfortable - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By SignASL - December 27 - 2:00 am

  We have nothing but priase ofr the 2003 toyota echo, except for the comfort and the legroom of the seats. My boyfreind is always the one driving, so I am always in the passanger side seat. There is hardley enough legroom because of the glove depatrment design (which is rounded and sticks out far), and the seat is so uncomfortable due to the back design. If toyota would have allowed for me legroom and better back support, this car would defenatly be a 10!

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  2000 Toyota Echo 55000 miles on odo. - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Istok - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This Car is better than Honda Civic. I drove that Car. Other than hadeling there is nothing that is beter about 2002 lx except: Exterior looks and handling. I drove my friends 2002 lx. Echo rides better, gets better fuel economy, engine seems stronger ( I blow his doors off), than we swich cars and Echo still wins. His car is also manual. I pay a lot less for insurance than he does, both of us same agent, he is 1 year older, I even have one ticket and he does not, and we have identical policies. BUY THIS CAR.