When the first Toyota ECHO was introduced into the American market as a 2000 model, it didn't exactly win the hearts of Americans as a great replacement for the Tercel. I didn't think much of it when I first saw it. A year and a half later, after reading so many great things from other owners, I bought a 2001 4-door 5-speed model to replace my small 2-door aging Tercel and have been very happy with it for over a year now.

Well, there has been some impressive changes to the 2003 model, mainly styling and option updates that may turn more heads. Okay, the ECHO always turned heads, but maybe now for more positive reasons. While at the dealership getting routine maintenance on my 2001 model, I test drove the 2003 model and noted all the changes that may attract a larger crowd.

Engine
The ECHO has a 1.5 liter 16-valve VVT-I 4 cylinder engine with 108 horse power. VVT-I stands for variable valve timing with intelligence, a technology that uses 16 valves, instead of eight, to eek out better gas mileage or better power out of lower gas mileage, however you want to think of it. This is the same engine as my 2001 model that I've been driving for over 14 months now. Driving the standard model, I've found this engine to have plenty of power, it has no problems passing a Grand Marquis or two on the highway and handles admirably with 5 adults in the car (I took a 3 hour road trip in mine with 5 adults and luggage in the trunk).

The EPA gas mileage ratings on the ECHO are 34 city and 41 highway for the standard transmission and 32 city and 38 highway for the automatic. But on my standard model, I average about 43/41 with a lot of city driving and it is the larger 4-door sedan. I have also read of other owners getting the same mileage.

The gas tank holds 11.9 gallons.

Performance
The ECHO weighs in at about 2,000 to 2,150 lbs. and carries it's weight very well. Especially in the standard transmission model, there always seems to be enough power for highway passing and I've noticed the power does not seem to be severely impacted by heavy loads, not as bad as I thought and much better than the old Toyota Tercel.

Handling
Like many economy cars, handling it not the strongest selling point. Because of the ECHOs height, it can feel a little tippy on tight turns and may feel highway crosswinds more. But in my experience, this has never been a problem, not even in high winds. Also, I have test drove many small SUVs, including the Ford Excape and Honda CRV and found the same body roll on tight turns. A pro to this body shape is the car's small 32.8 ft. turning circle and ability to easily fit into almost any size space.

Overall, I find this car very fun to drive and always look forward to driving my 2001 model. Mainly because of the higher road position, power (standard transmission helps this) and room. The tippy feeling is not a problem and can be considered spirit to many drivers.

Exterior
As noted above, the looks were always a complaint about the ECHO. I have no problems with them, they have grown on me and I see the advantages of the tall roof line in terms of head room, higher position on the road and more trunk space. But, not all are keen on the looks and I wasn't at first.

While the overall body shape is the same, it would seem that Toyota took all the major exterior styling complaints in consideration when updating the 2003 model. One complaint I read was the previous models had too much plastic trim making it look cheap. The front grill was black plastic and you could get optional plastic side cladding for a sportier look. For 2003, the front grill has dramatically changed. It is no longer black plastic, but an incorporated painted bar with the Toyota emblem in chrome adding more class to the look, more like a shorter Corolla. The headlights have also been updated, with more of a chrome/crystal look that is so popular today.

The optional plastic cladding can also optionally be painted to match the body. This eliminates a majority of the body plastic and does give the looks more class.

The rear end has also had some major changes. First or all, the license plate "cubby" has been moved from the lower bumper, like in previous models, up to the middle of the trunk. This is an improvement because some people complained that the car's rear looked too high, this reduces the open negative space and makes the rear appear to be lower. The taillights have also been updated. They still have the same basic shape, but the turn signals and reverse lights are in different locations and they have the crystal-like circular look, more like the Corolla and a big improvement.

The 2003 model added some more color choices and they are silver, white, sandy metallic (light gold), aqua ice (light metallic green), red, dark green, blue, dark metallic charcoal and black.

The ECHO is 59.4" tall (about 2" taller than the Camry), 65.4" wide, 164.8" long, has a wheel base of 93.3” and a ground clearance of 4.7".

Another major gripe about the 2000-2002 ECHOs, the wheels are too small at only 14". On mine, I have never found this a problem and that size is fairly standard for compact cars. However, for those that are not happy with that, you can now get 15" wheels as an option, P185/60R15 All-Season tires on steel wheels with full 15" wheel covers to be specific. Or stick with the standard P175/65R14 All-Season tires on steel wheels with full 14" wheel covers.

The 4-door model weighs 2,055 to 2,105 lbs. and the 2-door model weighs 2,035 to 2,085 lbs. This is pretty average with other cars in its class.

Interior
This is one of the ECHO strengths, an incredibly roomy interior. Because of the height of this car, is has plenty if head room. I am 6 feet tall and find there to be plenty of head room to spare. My legs never hit the dash and even with the drivers seat all the way back, there is still enough leg room in the seat behind it for an adult.

The interior has not changed much, the instrument cluster is still in the center of the dash. The seats are actually very comfortable and are good for long drives. The two front seats offer good support with tall backs and adjustable head rests, I wish they had arm rests but you often do not see that for a car in this price range. The back seat is a bench with 3 full shoulder seat belts and will hold three adults and it is also more comfortable than expected. The back bench also has two head rests that are adjustable.

The instrument cluster is in the center of the dash, which has brought the car some controversy. I do not find this a problem and now prefer it. Toyota addressed one of the main problems with compact cars by doing this in the ECHO. Because they have smaller steering wheels, there is less space to look through and more of a chance the instruments are being blocked by it when turning or whatever. In the ECHO, the instruments are in a pop-up display in the center of the dash, instead of looking down through your steering wheel, you look to the right side, never taking your eyes completely off the road. I find it easy and had no problems adjusting to it. The instrument cluster is also very easy to see with white-backed gauges that glow green with the headlights on.

Another major complaint about the earlier ECHOs is there is no tachometer. Again, I did not find this a problem on my standard model, but some people need them. It has been added as an option for the 2003 model. With a tachometer, there are now two large white gauges, tach and speedometer and a small digital display between them for the rest (fuel, etc.).

Also, the steering wheel has been updated. Previously, it was a solid gray plastic with a Toyota logo in the plastic. Now, the plastic is smoother with the Toyota logo in chrome inside a circle, like often seen in VWs.

Headroom is 39.9" in front and 37.6" in back (this is pretty close to the Focus at 39.3/38.7). Shoulder room is about 52" up front and 51" in the back. Hip room is about 51" up front and 51" in back. Legroom is 41.1" in front and 35.2" in back. Okay, so there is a lot of numbers, but is the car comfortable? Yes, I am 6 feet tall and often wear high-heeled shoes and there is plenty of room and the adjustable steering wheel makes it easy to get a comfortable position. I have also never gotten a complaint from anyone ridding in the back.

There are three interior color options, dark gray, light gray and beige.

The interior road noise is not bad and certainly a lot better than the old Tercel. While on the highway at speeds over 70 MPH, it's still easy to have a conversation and very tolerable.

Sound System
The standard sound system is an AM/FM radio with 4-speakers. However, just by adding one of the option packages, you are upgraded to the 6-speaker system. That is what I have in my ECHO and the sound quality is amazing for factory speakers, the bass is excellent and they have great clarity. The 2 6" x 9" speakers in the back produce impressive bass, while the four front speakers are great tweeters making it easy to actually hear the lyrics. I consider myself a little critical about sound quality, having a high end bass system in one of my past cars, I find having good sound can really help daily commutes.

Upgrade package #2 gives you a combo tape/CD stereo with the 6-speaker system.

Safety
Often in smaller cars, like the ECHO, the main concern is safety. How well will it do in an accident? The 2003 model now adds side impact airbags as an option, something I would not mind having in my 2001 model, but oh well. Because it is a new model, there is little to no information about its safety ratings.

However, there is really no frame changes from the previous models and I can give you first hand experience with how well the ECHO does in major accidents. My first 2001 ECHO was totaled before it was 3 weeks old while I was coming home from a long trip on a highway during one of Florida's famous rain down pours. A guy in a king-cab Ford truck lost control in the opposite direction and hydroplaned across the median like it was ice and sideways into the front of my ECHO. It was about a 60 MPH collision (wasn't my fault obviously) and all three passengers in the ECHO were fine.

If interested, you can read the entire story and a little more insight about how the car did in the accident in this review:

http://www.epinions.com/content_50890706564

But, to sum that experience up, I was really impressed with how well the ECHO did. The front drivers side was demolished, but inside the dash board stayed in place and during the impact, my legs barely touched the dash. I have seen crash test photos on IIHS where the dummy's knees went through the dash at only 40 MPH.

Standard Features
Standard features include the 4-speaker am/FM radio, color keyed bumpers, chrome front grille, tilt steering wheel, driver and passenger front airbags, 4-way adjustable front seats, storage drawer under passenger's seat, front and read adjustable head rests, dual glove compartments and dual front and rear cup holders.

Options
There are three main upgrade packages which are:

1. Gray sport fender and rocker panel extensions, dual remote outside mirrors, intermittent windshield wipers, power steering, tachometer, digital quartz clock and 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.
2. Includes package 1, deluxe 3-in-1 AM/FM ETR/Cassette/CD with 6 speakers and CFC-free air conditioning.
3. Includes package 2, power windows and power door locks.

There's also an appearance package that includes color-keyed sport fender and rocker panel extensions, intermittent windshield wipers, power steering, tachometer and digital quartz clock.

And there's a chrome interior package that includes chrome-accented interior door handles, heater control dials, shift lever and parking brake knob.

Finally, an all-weather package that includes heavy-duty battery and rear defogger, and rear-seat heater ducts.

You do not have to stick to one of these packages to get the options you want, many are available separately. I would make a list of just the options you want and see if your dealer can get it and maybe call around to other dealers. I was able to get one with power steering, power locks and remote keyless entry without having to get the complete packages. On a side note, most dealers can add remote keyless entry for about $100 to $200, even if it does not have power locks. I had it added to both ones I bought and one dealer charged $150 and the other $100, a worthwhile investment that works for all 4 doors.

Warranty
Like most new Toyotas, the ECHO comes with a 3 year, 36,000 mile basic warranty and a 5 year, 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. There's also a 5 year rust warranty.

Notable Titles
The 2000 Toyota Yaris (European ECHO) made 2000 car of the year.

Consumer Reports rated the 2000 model most reliable in a 2 year study. More info at:
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stories/031302/bus_031302064.shtml

It also made "Greenest Car" for its gas mileage, see:
http://www.greenercars.com/12green.html

Extra Info
Believe it or not, there is an ECHO fan web site with forums. I came across it while searching. You can check it out at:

http://www.echofans.net/

To Conclude
It's hard to find a sub-compact car in this price range that turns heads like the ECHO does. When you think about it, that's why many people buy sports cars, to have something extreme looking that gets attention. In roads cluttered with vanilla sub-compacts, boxy SUVs and minivans, the ECHO is a refreshing change and will appeal to the younger generation, or just the young at heart.

When shopping for a new car, it is important to research and test drive all possibilities for your needs so you get what you want. If you don't do that, mine as well buy a used car and save money. The ECHO is a worthwhile car to test drive for anyone that is looking for a compact, sub-compact or even a mid-sized car. It offers great gas mileage, above average power, a lot of space, ease of entering and exiting, a good sound system and very unique, head turning looks for a great price.

Despite the handling, the ECHO offers so much more than many would expect in an economy car in such a unique package. With exceptional gas mileage, great power, above average room and excellent features, the ECHO is an excellent buy for a price of $10,500 to $15,500.

Other Cars to Consider:
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic
Ford Focus
Mazda Protégé
Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe
Toyota Corolla
VW New Beetle
Amount Paid (US$): 13,000
Condition: New
Model and Options: 4-Door, 5-Speed