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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Automotive

Toyota Echo

The Toyota Echo is an entry-level subcompact car sold by Toyota in several markets, including the United States and Canada, for the 2000 through 2005 model years.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

The Toyota Echo is an entry-level subcompact car sold by Toyota in North America from 2000 to 2005. It was designed as an inexpensive, fuel-efficient option for budget-conscious buyers.

What it is

The Echo is a small front-wheel-drive car offered as a 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan, with a hatchback variant available in some markets. It uses a 1.5-litre inline-four engine producing 108 horsepower, paired with a manual or automatic transmission.

Why it matters

The Echo was known for strong fuel economy, with EPA estimates around 34 mpg city and 41 mpg highway for manual models. It also earned above-average reliability ratings, making it a practical choice for Canadian buyers seeking low running costs.

Key details

Toyota discontinued the Echo after the 2005 model year in North America. It was replaced by the Toyota Yaris, which arrived as a 2007 model. The Echo’s tall, upright body and basic interior were noted in reviews, but its efficiency and reliability were consistently praised.

In short

  • Subcompact economy car sold 2000–2005 in North America.
  • 1.5-litre engine, 108 hp, up to 41 mpg highway.
  • Replaced by the Toyota Yaris for 2007.
  • Strong reliability ratings, especially for the 2005 model year.
Canadian angle

The Toyota Echo was sold in Canada and became one of Toyota’s entry-level small cars for Canadian buyers seeking low purchase price and fuel efficiency. Canadian market references also note Echo hatchback availability in some years and regions before the Yaris name took over.[11][8]

Quick questions

What is a Toyota Echo?
A Toyota Echo is a subcompact economy car Toyota sold mainly from 2000 to 2005 in North America. It was offered as a low-cost, fuel-efficient sedan or coupe.
How many miles per gallon does a Toyota Echo get?
EPA figures cited in reviews are typically 34 mpg city and 41 mpg highway for manual-transmission models, with combined ratings around 32–37 mpg depending on the source and transmission.
What replaced the Toyota Echo?
Toyota’s Yaris effectively replaced the Echo in North America, arriving as a 2007 model.

Sources

  1. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15140671/toyota-echo-road-test/
    Supports: Engine output and EPA fuel-economy estimates.
  2. CarGurus — https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Toyota-ECHO-Overview-d297
    Supports: Introduction year, purpose, discontinuation, and replacement by Yaris.
  3. EveryAuto — https://everyauto.com/cars/research-reviews/Toyota/Echo
    Supports: Production years, body styles, engine output, and fuel economy.
  4. The Auto Channel — https://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2000/lweitzman_toyota_echo_2000.html
    Supports: Price, engine details, and fuel-economy figures.
  5. Autoweek — https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2124806/toyota-echo-new-basic-car-echo-looks-different-its-heart-same-ever/
    Supports: EPA combined fuel economy and overall test mileage.
  6. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-echo/
    Supports: Vehicle overview, model years, body style, and replacement by Yaris.
  7. Edmunds — https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/echo/2001/review/
    Supports: Combined MPG and warranty/review context.
  8. Cars Directory — https://www.cars-directory.net/history/toyota/echo/
    Supports: Export-market history and use of Echo name in Canada and other markets.