The best looking car award is not an award that has ever been, nor shall be ever handed to the Echo. Introduced as a 2000 model, the Echo was one of Toyota's first cars to flaunt the new "bubble" look. Replacing the long lived Tercel, the Echo was one of the first few cars to show such a dramatic change in styling. However, Toyota may have missed it's mark with this design. Upright, tall, ackward,and dweebish are just a few of the comments that have been given to the Echo by both consumers abd real life car opinianators. Of course, we cannot forget the most common name.....ugly.
What makes the Echo receive such criticism is found in it's new age styling. The front looks like an older Corolla which has been "stretched out of shape". It's cabin is ackwardly tall, and the rear window is shaped weirdly. Let's not forget the sides which seem to rise as you follow the cars lines from front to back. It's lights, tall rear end, ackward side mirrors (on base models), and grille don't help to make this car beautiful at all. The interior, although made by Toyota, is covered in patterens that you would find in low-end Fords. Ackward colors, patterns and designs leave much to be desired, and can be intrusive to some people's eyes. Seats, although supportive are quite uncomfortable. The doors are covered in a plastic mono tone color which is very boring. (This is seen in quite a few cars these days) Window caranks aren't the easiest to roll down, and the gear shift lever feels cheap. With that said, the most controversial elememt in the Echo remains unmentioned. The speedometer is possibly the most talked about part of the Echo's interior. Instead of being located in front of the driver as with most cars, the Echo has it's speedometer in the middle of the dash. This leaves the dash in front of the steering wheel empty, and gives it a "Previa/Beetle feeling".
Performance for the echo is provided by a 1.5L four cylinder. Although it's 100+ horsepower rating may seem impressive, it is quite dissapointing. Good acceleration is provided on level surfaces and even mild hills. However, going up steep grades causes the Echo to run out of breath very quickly, and the engine is loud wether on the freeway or gong up a hill (although not as loud as a Corolla), and the transmission leaves something to be desired. Handling is okay at slow speeds, but turning corners fast maks the Echo feel like it is going to tip over. Rear visibility is hampered by the high rear end. Also, wind gusts seem to control which way the Echo moves. Hubcaps are also very hard to put on. Why would you take them off? Using a regular tire pressure guage is nearly impossible to do with the hubcaps in place, and forget about filling the tires if they are low.
With every car, even the Echo, there are pluses. Plenty of storage space is provided in the Echo's passenger cabin by large "cubby holes". Plenty of head room is also provided by the tall cabin but front leg room isn't the greatest. Doors, although thin, have a secure closing sound and have door handles which seem like they should be on a fancier more expensive car. Paint quality is typical Toyota being smooth and glossy, and reliability and durability should be good. However, despite these pluses, the Echo fails to impress me. A redesign in 2003 helped with the Echo's exterior looks and added more luxury comforts to the interior.
Highs: Reliability & build quality
Lows: Engine performance, sluggish auto trans performance, ackward appearance, and
handling
Possible future problems:
1.
2. Interior staining
3. "Fogging headlights" - all
4. Poor hubcaps
Matt: The website rating = 4.5/10
