2002 Toyota ECHO review from North America
"This is the perfect city car."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The floor mat under my clutch pedal foot wore out after a year.
The wiper blades cracked and shredded after 2 years.
The heater blower motor gave out after 2.5 years. It was replaced under warranty.
General comments?
The Echo is inexpensive to operate and undemanding to drive. Its small size makes it easy to drive and park in an urban setting.
Low fuel consumption is one of this car's strongest assets. It makes the Echo cheap to operate, and better for the environment.
It is surprisingly roomy for a small car and can seat 5 comfortably. The trunk is large and the rear seats can fold down for even more space. There are storage bins and pockets everywhere to control the clutter.
The Echo is also a very reliable car. Apart from a blower motor which gave out during a particularly Arctic-like winter, I have had no major mechanical problems.
A high profile and light weight make it susceptible to crosswinds. Small wheels and skinny tires make it tricky to handle on slippery, icy roads in winter.
It can get uncomfortable on long highway trips. You'll want to stop and stretch if you don't want a sore back.
Recommended reviews
| Not as reliable as I'd hoped |
|
| The best commuter EVER? |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2002 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.5L Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 16 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 33000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Toyota MR2 |
| Date of Entry | 16th March, 2005 |