2001 Toyota ECHO Review
2001 Toyota ECHO Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+50
Used ECHO for sale
Appraise This CarToyota ECHO model years
Toyota ECHO types
- Sedan
- Coupe
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
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
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.
Edmunds says
Current Echo owners don't like us. There's a reason. We don't like the Echo.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Toyota ECHO 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$134/mo for ECHO Base
ECHO Base
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Despite what seems at first to be a pretty good deal, we think you'd be wise to shop around before settling on an Echo. But don't take our word for it; ask Car and Driver magazine. They called it a "big mistake."
Yes, it's a Toyota, so it'll probably run until your first gray hair sprouts (or you wind up in a pine box, if you already have gray hairs.) Yes, it gets great gas mileage, doubly important now that OPEC has figured out that Americans will pay higher gas prices before they give up their SUVs. Yes, it has a roomy interior with lots of cubbies to store your stuff. Yes, acceleration is impressive from the sophisticated 108-horsepower, VVTi motor.
But, when you cut through the marketing hype and peek behind Toyota's veneer of bulletproof reliability, what you find might not be pretty.
Neither is the Echo. Hey, styling is a subjective point, but take a good look at this thing. Do you really want people to think you've borrowed a prop from Disneyland's Toontown when you pull up to the curb? But it's cheap, you say. Advertisements brag about a low sticker price that starts under $10,000, but in reality, when you've got the car optioned in a manner that makes it suitable as a daily driver, the value of the Echo starts to evaporate.
Air conditioning, a rear defogger and a clock are all optional. Heck, even power steering is on the a la carte menu. Add these features and you're paying nearly $12,000 for a two-door. At this price, you're still rowing your own gears through gridlocked traffic. Pop for an automatic transmission and you're spending another $800. Now approaching $13,000, you still don't have antilock brakes or side impact airbags. Loaded up with every possible option, an Echo Sedan runs close to $15,000, and you're still rolling down your own windows and manually setting the sideview mirrors.
Beyond the dubious value equation, there is the issue of crashworthiness. Considering the fact that Echo's base curb weight is a feather-light 2,035 pounds, and the average SUV-driving soccer dad pilots a rig at least twice that mass, basic physics dictates that the Echo driver is putting herself at risk. Toyota maintains that Echo was engineered to provide crash and injury protection that matches the larger Camry, and internal company test data indicates their design goal was met. However, U.S. crash testing has not been conducted on the Echo at this writing, so we cannot determine through third party results if Toyota has been able to successfully refute Sir Issac Newton's second law. Until then, order the side airbags.
Echo does have a few redeeming qualities, but not enough to garner a recommendation from our staff. If you're into storage bins, there are big gaping ones in the dash. And the interior is almost as roomy as the more expensive Corolla, a car that we actually find to be a bit cramped. Finally, the sprightly 1.5-liter, twin-cam four-cylinder engine makes 108 horsepower, resulting in surprising acceleration times of 8.5 seconds in the dash from zero to 60.
But with skinny, low rolling resistance, 14-inch tires, a tall stance and center of gravity, and slab-sided bodywork, handling is not Echo's forte. Plus, crosswinds severely hamper the ability to stay in your own lane, and ABS is a costly $590 add-on that is inexplicably bundled with daytime running lights (evidently, Toyota feels buyers of Echos without ABS aren't interested in increased visibility to other drivers.)
Want to know what else you could buy with your hard-earned money? Let's see. How about a certified-used Honda Civic that's bigger inside, several hundred pounds heavier, and won't embarrass you when you meet potential in-laws? And there's the pre-owned Mazda Protege, a classy small car that resembles the upscale Audi A4. Heck, even many new economy cars could be better bets, like the award-winning Ford Focus, the refined Nissan Sentra, and the surprisingly entertaining, easily affordable and thoroughly warranteed Hyundai Elantra.
Ssssh! Hear that Echo? That's empty Toyota showrooms.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Toyota ECHO.
5 star(80%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(1%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
97 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Toyota Echo - Big Little Car!
FDW, 07/20/2016
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
Bought this 2001 model in 2014 as a high mileage "used" second car from a dealer when it had slightly less than 190K miles on it. Only quirks I had were the auto shift display bulb went out (I am handy and removed the arm rest to access) Thanks for the video YOUTUBE! Door (outside) handles in rear flop but work well - need to replace - a small plastic part breaks inside and for OEM you … need to paint new handles $$. Also Check Engine Light went on a couple of times - mechanic reset advised prob a smog problem costing $400 in the future. My son and I cheered as it passed the #200K mile mark and he video'd it for me. I almost hit a 4 x 4 on a Northern CA freeway once - I probably for safety should have driven over it. My point - some body roll as it is a tall car. Very zippy. A/C vents blow well, defrost too. Big trunk. Aftermarket stereo makes the interior a speaker. I replace the battery every couple of years, too. Some minor nuisances - the glove box is a 2-part endeavor but works. Gas tank access is locked from inside (yay). Easy to park. People may make jokes but it is fun to drive. A smaller car - no ABS so drive defensively. Some of the outside trim breaks (around the grill tabs, etc.) Happened in its prior life. No timing belt to change (mechanical type!) Drive safe!
2019 update- replaced battery, plugs. 2 years ago check engine light came on then off a few times flashing. No plug wires just replaced 4 coils at $90 each in parts. It’s a coil on plug set up no wires, replaced coils had 200k on them. Some front brakes disc replaced with OEM as aftermarket rotors shook and squealed. 232,000. Miles on it.
5 out of 5 stars
if you break it, extremely low price to fix it
Jeremiah Hawkins, 05/13/2016
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
If you cant live without the finer things dont buy this car. But if you want a truly reliable, low maintenance, great gas mileage and low price used car with no worries about any type of previous driving history.... then this car just makes perfect sense. I've drove my echo since 2004 as my first car and I still drive it today with current odometer reading of 350,919 miles. **warning … car perfectly matched for logical, non flashy people who value finer things in life more than a flashy transportation vehicle****
ps. Best purchase and investment I have made so far in my life.
Pss. Sorry for the bad grammer, I chose to write a review but initially was looking for alloy rims for my whip. #thebluelagoon #thatsitsnickname
Pss too many low cost aftermarket modifications to choose from and google easily guides how to install every single one. So if you need usb or bluetooth no problem. The way the sound bounces off the interior design makes the stock speakers incredible.
Pss im not a mechanic but this car was built for begginer do it yourselfers. Ive changed or fixed with my own hands oil, front and rear brake pads, rotars, and even calipers, 02 scensors, dashboard lights, cd player, fuses, flat tires, tire rotation.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Best value around.
mikebean, 05/03/2012
2001 Toyota ECHO 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
This car has been in my family since it was purchased for ~$10k in 2001.
There is currently 130k miles on it. I'm still averaging around 40mpg in the summer and 36mpg in the winter. Crazy that this car is still worth something in the neighborhood of $3-3.5k private party. You can't ask for more than that. If it weren't for the need to fit two car seats (2nd child on the way), I would … never give this car up. It's just too good of a value. I should also mention that it's very fun to drive.
Work performed: computer failed at about 90k ($1100), bushings replaced (120k),
engine coil replaced (120k), catalytic converter needs to be replaced along with the exhaust (MN winters = rust + holes)
3.75 out of 5 stars
solid toyota product
jztoronto, 02/09/2012
2001 Toyota ECHO 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
i dont agree with the edmunds review this car is a tank, 170k and NO MAJOR REPAIRS just change the oil. typical toyota best maker in the world for the money. the interior has as much space as more exp corrola. not bad in the snow with snow tires. terrific mileage and the trunk is as big as a camrys trunk. styling is def different and not for all but the build quality is solid engine and … tranny is typical toyota.
if u had 170 km on an audi for example you are 12k in repairs lol.
the reviews knock the appearance but ill guarantee that the build quality is solid. def not for a single guy but if you buy this you are ok for repairs
2001 ECHO Highlights
Sedan
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $10,525 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 32 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $134/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Related Used 2001 Toyota ECHO info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Kia Forte 2022
- Used Volkswagen Beetle 2017
- Used BMW X6 M 2021
- Used Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2021
- Used Hyundai Tucson 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Toyota Sequoia V6
- Kia Telluride
- Challenger
- 2025 Jeep Wrangler News
- Tesla S Prices
- Jeep Wrangler 4E
- Gmcat4
- Ford Mustang
- 2023 Model Y
- Honda Pilot
Research other models of Toyota
- 2023 Toyota T100
- 2023 Toyota 4Runner
- 2023 Toyota GR Supra
- Toyota Prius 2023
- Toyota Corolla Cross 2023
- 2023 Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Corolla Crosshybrid
- 2023 Corolla
- 2023 BZ4X
- Toyota RAV4 2023
Research similar vehicles
- M 240I
- 2023 BMW M4
- Nissan Z
- GT Cars
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Hatchback
- BMW 2 Series
- Porsche 911
- F Type
- 2023 Mustang
Other models
- Used Mazda 5 in Cumberland, MD
- Used Acura Legend in Bowling Green, KY
- Used Cadillac Escalade-Ext in Oneida, NY
- Used Scion Xa in Queensbury, NY
- Used BMW 1-Series in Mount Airy, NC
- New Mazda Mx-5-Miata-Rf for Sale in Mount Prospect, IL
- Used Toyota Celica in Groton, CT
- Used Infiniti G35 in La France, SC
- Used Mercedes-Benz Sls-Amg-Gt in Encinitas, CA
- Used Volvo XC in Plattsburgh, NY