Pure quality and excellence
Water pump went off at 90,000km
CD player died at 110,000 km.
This car is excellent specially if you do a lot of city driving. Very cheap to maintain and cheap on gas. After having Mazda 626 and fixing it every month this small Echo surprised me how it is reliable and cheap on gas.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th May, 2006
Excellent investment if look of car is not important for you
Had to visit dealer 2 times for recalls. To improve floor corrosion protection and for child seat anchors improvement. No charge, only lost time (approx 4 h total).
Tires replaced at 75.000 km. For my driving stile it was OK.
Very reliable.
Excellent on fuel: approx 6.5 l/100 km average for last 6 years. On highway around 5l for 100km/h. At 120-130 km/h approx 6.2l/100km.
I got it with 13" tires and regret it. It has poor handling with side wind.
I love: high seating position, gauges in center, huge trunk, seat comfort and simplicity of the car.
We purchased it to be "second car" and we found that we do not need larger car. It has more space than many mid size cars.
Do not like: The most people think it is ugly. I agree, it is not best designed car on street, but it is one of most usefull and loved movers.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th January, 2006
Fun and Cheap to Drive -- and Reliable!
Absolutely Nothing.
I replaced the tires at around 55,000 miles.
I love my ECHO!
Mileage - Based on my research, this is the most fuel efficient car that is not a hybrid. Excellent.
Specs - Compare an ECHO brochure to a Prius, they are nearly identical (with the exception of the "hybrid" aspects).
Comfort - The area around the driver's seat is very roomy. There is plenty of room for your legs and knees. There is much more room in the ECHO than in my friend's Acura 3.2 TL.
The high seating position makes you feel like you are driving an SUV (almost).
Pick - Even though the engine is small, is is really peppy. In city driving, you will "beat" everyone at the start up. On the interstate, there are times when you feel that you need more power (usu. when you have the air conditioner on). I have been amazed by the "performance" of my tiny car.
Cargo - Not a ton of room in the trunk, but the shape of the trunk allows for bigger things than other, much larger, "luxury" vehicle trunks. It fits my baby's stroller pretty well. The storage compartments all over the dashboard are excellent & huge cup holders!
Rear Seats - Ugh! Here is the ECHO's weak point. The rear seats are tiny, and it is a bumpy ride in the back of the car. With the infant car seat behind the passenger seat, the passenger side of the front is pretty cramped.
Looks - I bought it because of the futuristic look. To me, it is a beautiful car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd July, 2004
Efficient and economical
The computer in charge of electronics had a minor glitch. It was covered by the warranty.
One of the plastic gaskets on the outside of the car fit too loosely. The repair cost $50.
This car has terrific gas mileage (38-40 mpg), with a tank of only 11 gallons.
The interior is surprisingly roomy, even for four people.
The trunk space is ample.
So far, not one mechanical problems with the engine. It runs very smoothly.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th June, 2004
17th Apr 2011, 20:23
People call my Echo ugly, too. I actually thought it was kind of cute when it came out, and I really wanted one. Years later I finally have one, and I don't care how ugly people say it is. It's one of the best small cars ever built. Very fuel efficient, mechanically reliable, and durable. Toyota's 1.5 litre engine can last a very long time. It is very vulnerable to wind, though. You can't have all that interior space inside without a tall profile.