2000-2005 Toyota Echo: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Toyota launched an all-new "entry-level" front-drive subcompact for 2000, priced well-below the larger Corolla. Despite its smaller exterior dimensions, the new Echo featured interior space similar to the Corolla's. Two- and 4-door sedans were offered. Power was supplied by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 108 horsepower. Manual shift was standard, but the available 4-speed automatic transmission featured Toyota's "uphill shift logic" programming that was claimed to minimize "hunting" between gears on long or steep upgrades. A tilt steering wheel was standard, but power steering was an option. Also on the option list were antilock braking, air conditioning, cassette and CD audio systems, power door locks, and a split folding rear seat. The Echo was one of the few vehicles on the market with power windows not available. No less distinctive than the Echo's exterior profile was its dashboard, which consisted mainly of a speedometer and gauges mounted in the center, not ahead of the driver.