2001 Toyota ECHO Review
Fuel Economy
32 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Current Echo owners don't like us. There's a reason. We don't like the Echo.
Pros
Good gas mileage, speedy acceleration, roomy and functional interior, likely to be reliable.
Cons
Cartoonish styling, dopey gauge placement, lousy handling, deceptively low base pricing.
What's New for 2001
In an effort to better protect occupants of this lightweight economy car, Toyota makes side airbags optional for 2001. Brilliant Blue Pearl is a new color.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Best Car I've Owned
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
We bought this car new in 2001 and almost 9 years and 93K miles later it is still running perfectly. Zero problems. Routine oil and filter changes, new tires and new brake pads are all it's had. Don't expect a sports car or a luxury car. We bought it for high quality, reliable low-cost basic transportation and it has delivered and then some. Wonderful little car.
Favorite Features
Roomy interior (my 6'3" son fits comfortably in the back seat) and trunk, 34-42 mpg, comfortable and easy to drive. Rock solid reliable
Suggested Improvements
Wish it had standard side curtain airbags and ABS brakes. Needs cruise control as an option also.
Love the Echo
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought my 5 speed stick shift, Indigo Ink Blue Echo, new. New it got 45 mpg/highway -- down to about 39 mpg/highway with 165,000 on it. The first tires lasted 65,000 miles. The battery lasted 7 years. Did the first tune-up at 145,000 miles just because it had never had one, NOT because it was running badly. Faithfully change the full synthetic oil & filter every 3000 miles, other filters as recommended. Loved this one so much, now own two (bought a 2005 Echo to replace a 1995 mini van).
Favorite Features
Have always loved the roominess of the interior. Have split back seats so can load lots of stuff into it when I need to do so and it will hold more than some vans.
Suggested Improvements
Cruise control -- which I had put on after market. Would love to be able to buy a 2010 Echo, but they stopped making them in 2005.
Good but could have been great
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought used in may 2005 with 24,940 miles on it. It now has 34,600 miles on it. Had to fix a/c all new o-rings + recharge Freon for $150.00. Just fixed tie rod end link bushing-left front side $75.00. I avg 27 mpgs in winter short trip cold motor. The 1 long highway trip I took (150 miles round trip) I got 40.5 mpgs with the auto trans + a little a/c usage. Since I owned it I am averageing 32.5 mpgs. I had 195/60 14 tires put on but they had high rolling resistance. I didnt know this at the time I got them so I lost about 3 mpgs. I save every gas reciept. This car needs a more powerfull a/c system it only holds 17 oz of Freon crosswinds are hell in this thing on the highway. City driving is ok.
Favorite Features
Gas mileage. Ease of entry-exit seat height. Cassette with cd player nice.
Suggested Improvements
This car could have been great if Toyota would have done the following: 1- put 195/60 15 tires with low rolling resistance on it 2- lowered the roofline 4 inches 3- a 2door hatchback model 4-more powerfull a/c system. 5- put in 4 gauge pkg from 03-06 corolla in front of the driver
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Great Car - No Major Repairs
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have had this car for about 8 years and the only things I have had to do is oil changes and new tires. Nothing else has needed to be repaired! It also gets great gas mileage. Best car in the world!
Favorite Features
Excellent Gas Mileage, Low Maintenance Cost
Suggested Improvements
Cruise control would be nice.
Why did they stop making this?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This has been the best car I owned. I have 160,000 miles and have NEVER had a single problem. I did not need brakes until 135,000. There is no rust anywhere, and I'd drive it anywhere! This car has better leg and head room than most any other car I've sat in. Fun to drive and great mileage (>40 hwy). Great stereo too! Why did they stop making this?
Favorite Features
Lots of storage area. Headroom. Stereo. GREAT gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Don't stop making this!! Other suggestion would have been to have the 5th gear be a more true overdrive, and have the rpms down under 2,000 at 65 mph.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2005 Toyota ECHO
- 2004 Toyota ECHO
- 2003 Toyota ECHO
- 2002 Toyota ECHO
- 2001 Toyota ECHO
- 2000 Toyota ECHO
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