2004 Toyota Echo Hatchback 1.5

Summary:

This is a great cheap and spunky car

Faults:

Nothing at all.

General Comments:

This is a very tight, reliable car it handles well up to about 140kmh.

The interior is very large and roomy.

Its quirky looks are sort of fun-a smart car on steroids.

Very cheap on fuel over 50 mpg on the highway and about 40 mpg in the city.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th March, 2005

20th Apr 2005, 05:50

If you read the original review again, he says a "SMART" car on steroids. As in the SMART fortwo... except bigger and more powerful. Then again.. almost any car on the road could be a SMART on steroids.

21st May 2005, 17:15

The above comments about steroids and SUV owners is completely ridiculous.

We are buying the Echo for my wife as she wants an economical work car. I like it as it affords her the luxury (which is superb) that she deserves.

It is a 'perfect' city runabout with the "legs" to take her an the children interstate to visit relatives in safety.

On the downside I believe Toyota was extremely stingy in not installing dual airbags in such a light car-this should almost be a legal requirement. Mag wheels also would have been a reasonable expectation given the price.

They lose a healthy 2/10 points for the missing airbag otherwise it would be a 10/10 for the purpose of such a vehicle:D.

I also own a 4X4 which I prefer for the height/visibility and as I go off road often Fly Fishing. Steroids / masculinity etc never crossed my mind. The person above has jealousy or here-say issues and should grow up. SUV 's are a very, very good family option.

View 7 more comments

2004 Toyota Echo

Faults:

...I purcashed the RS package.Fine little car that loves to rev. Very quick for an entry vehicle! I can't get people to stop asking, "What kind of car is that,it's so cute!" Will definately be getting the next generation that is already in Europe under another name. I love this thing!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th May, 2004

11th May 2004, 08:11

Why has Toyota had so much trouble selling this thing if so many people think it is "so cute"?

Actually, the ECHO is kind of stupid looking, especially the two door version, and having the instrument panel in the center of the dash (Toyota trying to save money by using the same dash for both LHD and RHD markets) did not help.

10th Oct 2004, 10:50

The Saturn ION has a center-instrument panel too. And the ION is considered a sportier car.

5th Apr 2005, 19:13

The reason for the Centre Instrument panel is so the driver does not have to take their eyes completely off the road to check their speed, they just have to change the direction they are looking. It is for Safety purposes, and is much easier to read then a traditional Instrument panel.

20th Apr 2005, 05:43

The Echo sedan/coupe is an ugly car. The hatchback version is actually a much nicer looking vehicle (similar to the Scion XA). Also sold in Europe as the Yaris and Japan as the Vitz. The central speedometer is about cost savings (not safety) It's an economy car, so every cent they save on making it, makes it that much cheaper for you. It may in fact be safer, but that isn't Toyota's primary reason for doing so.

4th Apr 2006, 02:51

I tend to agree the hatch is only slightly better looking the coupe and sedan with their bloated shape to put it bluntly are ugly. The new Yaris looks interesting.