2002 Toyota ECHO Review
Fuel Economy
30 - 32 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
We don't like the Echo. Check out the superior offerings from Hyundai and Kia.
Pros
Good gas mileage, speedy acceleration, roomy and functional interior, likely to be reliable.
Cons
Cartoonish styling, annoying gauge placement, tilt-a-whirl handling, deceptively low base pricing.
What's New for 2002
Toyota has left the Echo untouched for 2002.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Gets me around
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Toyota ECHO 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Good car until recently I had to spend $300 for a starter then 2 weeks later $1400 to repair the manual transmission. Needed bearings, ring block for 5th gear and a few other things. Mechanic said the original fluid was still in there after 140,000 miles. It should be replaced at least every 40,000 miles so I guess it was my fault. Otherwise a great car.
Favorite Features
40 + MPG
Suggested Improvements
the dashboard
Best car I've ever had.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Toyota ECHO 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have had many cars in my life... from Mercedes Benz to Volvos to Nissan and Hondas. But boy did I ever own a Toyota? Not until now. I'm 40 and I can tell you reliability and Toyota go together. This little car goes. 5 Speed Standard. 350 miles per tank!! That's driving all over Houston for 10 days non-stop to the point where you forget what the car rolls on! And finally you remember to look at the fuel gauge... why? Because after 10 days of nothing but driving you are no longer concerned about gas or prices or even worrying about re-fueling. Cold A/C... small; easy to change the oil by yourself, brakes,etc... cheaper to fix... and it's a Toyota. Yep, reliable (period).
Favorite Features
Small - easy to fix; small but easy on your wallet. Reliable... lasts for years... longevity. You fall in love with a well made car. Except for the Made in China gray interior the whole car is nothing but a joy to drive. 5 speed standard.
Suggested Improvements
Better interiors, put in some nice dashboard... quality has its color and it's not cheap. Gray made in China.
Excellent little car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
When I bought it in 2002 it was all I could afford. Now 7 years later I do not want to drive anything else. Not a single problem and great fuel economy on top of that. Add trouble free driving in the brutal Alberta winters to the list of praise. Being handed off to my girls now and I am sure they will get another 7 years of trouble free driving.
Favorite Features
Large trunk. Fits two golf bags with pull carts. Very spacious inside. Fuel economy.
Suggested Improvements
Standard ABS (was not even an option in 2002).
MPG 41-47 (5 tests)
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
My manual 2002 4dr Echo has 175K now. I did 5 tests on mpg w/different routes and cargo load (from just one driver to 1 driver + 8 scuba tanks and a scooter). The roads are country, FL. Burned some 3/4 of a tank, read receipts for exact difference and read the odometer. None of the tests indicated lower than 40 mpg and the highest I've ever recorded was 47. For 175K replaced parts were: burned cabin fan resistor, 3 sets of tires (worn), cracked windshield (gravel), dozen w-shield wipes, oil change. Best of all - I paid it off 2 yrs ago. None of the new cars come close to the performance and "True Cost 2 Own", not even Yaris nor Honda Fit.
Favorite Features
manual gear, enormous trunk space, split bench, simple controls, instrument panel, visibility, accessibility and ergonomics
Suggested Improvements
I miss auxiliary big locomotive horn. Why in the world did Toyota US stop selling Echo?
32 mpg since when
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Toyota ECHO 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
The Edmunds review says 32 mpg. The Echo seems to have a variable mileage with actual mileage being closer to the 32 mark in sub-zero weather. However in actual driving here in Wisconsin I consistently get 40-42 mpg. Above 50 degrees I have gotten as much as 44 mpg. lately on a vehicle with over 110,000 miles on it. Funky steering in the wind, funky looking, but very roomy inside and well-built body. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat and no I'm not selling the one I have.
Favorite Features
I love that center speedo. I don't like looking over or through a wheel with trifocals. It's easy to get used to. This car got a lot of unfair diss on styling. It has CHARACTER! at a reasonable price!
Suggested Improvements
Put Blizzaks on it in the winter.
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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