2002 Toyota Echo Review - One Of The Best Economy Cars EVER!

Submit Your Car: www.ZackPradel.com/submit
Contact me!
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: @Shooting_Cars
BFB Test Pass/Fail Spreadsheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Intro animation by: / initial_clip
Intro/outro music by: www.fiverr.com/matiasfuma
DISCLAIMER!
The thoughts, feelings, and opinions expressed in this video are the sole thoughts of Zack and no one else. The thoughts expressed in this video do not reflect the owner, dealership, or organization that owns the vehicle featured. The purpose of this video is to provide entertainment with the hope that you will take what you see and formulate your own opinions. DO NOT make a financial decision based off of this video.
#Toyota #Echo #EchoCoupe

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:02 - Drivetrain
3:13 - Interior
4:26 - BFB Test
4:39 - Interior
5:32 - Back Seats
6:44 - Trunk / Cargo Space
7:21 - Exterior
7:57 - Final Thoughts
11:36 - Outro

[@bmwstrike731]

Appreciate the review on my Echo Zack! Love this little car! It also hits the spot to watch this video after driving the Echo all day! Keep up with the great reviews!

[@automotivetv9861]

This is the nicest echo on the road, looks hot with its mods, two thumbs up from me.

[@crystalcactuis.w]

I feel like Zach could honestly make anyone buy any car he would be the best salesman out there!

[@jimjam4049]

I love how this channel features cars that are actually relevant and affordable to those of us that can’t afford the new, and at the very least, $60k+ journalist special vehicles.

[@ken96158]

I had an Echo for 15 years. The best car I ever owned! Never had a problem in 168k miles. I loved that car.

[@paulnadratowski3942]

I have 2002 Corolla. It looks like hell and the AC is gone, but it keeps going and going

[@Forrestia_thecoyote]

I'm at 200k mile and we have reset it 2 time

[@leolionz3692]

My sister had a four door Echo as her first car. Only drove it for a month before someone t-boned us at an intersection. We were both in the car and it was totaled. Honestly happy it turned out that way bc we weren't even going fast and that car was pretty destroyed. Imagine what would have happened if it was at a high speed in that little tin can

[@youngwang5959]

Still driving mine, I got it about 2 years ago with only 76000 miles on it. One owner car , 4 doors . Love the simplicity and durability.

[@celsovera91]

The echo was sold as a first gen yaris in other markets. The yaris that we would eventually get here was the second gen

[@LuisLopez-sq1ws]

I have a 2001 Echo and it has 227,000 miles. Running strong still. Bought as a beater but ended being a daily. It's still in beautiful exterior and interior condition. I'm going to teach my kids how to drive in this car.

[@cfc1001001cfc]

The Toyota Echo was an ode to the minimal...basic transportation stripped of artifice. The 90's to early 2k's manual transmission/fuel injected vehicles would, for the most part, run and run and run.

[@amenhotepavoskin1307]

I still remember my 2000 Echo fondly. She was a faithful friend that helped me greatly in the time of need. Thank you Pelmeshka!

[@ANGES509]

I love my 2000 Echo I've had it for the past 6 years, and I'll take care of it for as long as I can

[@mistah_nahamsha]

I love these. They're pure, economy cars that will run forever.

[@bwofficial1776]

I like these. They're cheap and ugly and don't pretend to be anything more. I can understand why the owner blacked out the windows, no one really wants to be seen driving an Echo. The bubbly styling and the body line down the side with tiny wheels are very early 00s economy car. I still see these occasionally, if they didn't rust out they'll run forever.

[@ShaggyWolff]

I love reviews of normal everyday cars. Keep up the good videos dude.

[@johntheroux832]

Had a 2 door years ago and still regret giving to my son. It has been passed on to freinds and is still going with 478,000 miles and no problems to speak of. Great car and am looking for a low mile one. If I fink one it will be my last car.

[@chicodorosario1787]

Technically this is the first generation Yaris or also known as Vitz in other countries.

[@bradjohnson6717]

I have driven an Echo for the past 5 years. Been across country 4 times and it's never let me down. Really great car!

[@WildWildWeasel]

Man, am I the only one who loves that little thing? It just speaks to me, I want one 🥺

[@hobbymanx9200]

Me too! I love the Echo/Platz. Today it’s hard to find such a simple car. And it feels better than a luxury car.

[@NathanCouture-pn3tn]

My Mom had a 2003 with 190,000 miles and ran amazing we got rid of it since she got a new car but we loved it and the gas mileage was amazing and the radio sounded good

[@robme3660]

No one maintained these either. I'm surprised any of these are still around.

[@XxGorillaGodxX]

Whenever I see one of these for sale, it's either beat to shit, has a ton of miles, or both.

[@darthdarthbinkss]

One word: Toyota.

[@new2000car]

Usually the single mom on the “deferred maintenance” program drove these.

[@rachels594]

I maintained mine. Love this little car. I have a 2001 that does not act or look 22 years old. We just got a brand new Subaru Forester and the Toyota Echo storage areas I. The front are better ! Very wise design in this car.

[@TIJoe-te9qu]

At one time, this was all anyone really needed.

[@JP-ji6of]

Man I’ll always love these old economy japanese cars. Extremely reliable, easy to drive, and they have a familiarity and vibe that new cars just don’t give off. I can’t imagine Toyota making a small two door manual economy car again. Makes me sad that they’re disappearing from the road.

[@camelsouttahere.]

I never knew the echo had a manual option but thats really cool

[@bwofficial1776]

I'd be more surprised to find one with an auto. These were cheap economy cars and the manual would have come standard.

[@sybsygstgstsgysg5330]

It’s an early 2000s econobox, most of these are manual

[@TIJoe-te9qu]

That was a great time, when manuals were the norm, and cheaper to buy and drive.

[@rachels594]

I have a 2001 automatic. Love it ! I have a video on here called “Me and my Echo”.

[@valiantviktor]

@@bwofficial1776 Heh. Manual. Heh. Standard.

[@marvin4827]

Great video/review. It's nice to see guys review regular everyday cars, instead of focusing only on luxury or exotic vehicles. Keep em coming Zach.❤

[@nikosins]

Hi there, i'm from Paraguay, my first car is an Echo, but the Japanese version (is like the original jdm version but here they change the steering wheel to the right side) it's a 2002 Toyota Platz 4 door with a 1000cc engine and a 4 speed auto, love my little car, is economic and reliable and i can work on it because is so simple.

[@sethfranklin8079]

Oh God it's been a hot while I've last seen an Echo here in Pennsylvania....

[@McLivin410]

I literally bought a 05 echo sedan with 88,000 miles on it last month. An absolute blast to drive. I have a 2016 Avalon that I keep the miles low and for weekend driving

[@powerball439]

I miss my Echo soooo much!! Thank you for taking me down memory lane!

[@bricegraham8256]

*GASP* HOW DARE YOU CALL DOCTOR WHO A TERRIBLE BRITISH SHOW!? Cause being a fan of that show I know what you were referring to when you said "it's bigger on the inside." *Whispers* I still love your videos Zach

[@lindawolffkashmir2768]

I have a 2002 four door automatic Echo, and yes, they are a lot bigger on the inside. I have jokingly called it the TARDIS before, lol

[@bmwstrike731]

It’s so funny I have this Echo listed on marketplace and people messaging me saying that they saw my Echo review!

[@osochara]

I learned of this car when I was a kid at the end of the 90s early 2000s. I knew it as the Echo in the US, but I’m latino and back home this same car was always called the Yaris. This perplexed me as a child as I did not know about regional branding, but the launch of the Yaris after this model might have only been a thing in the US. Back home I still see plenty of these Echos (Echoes?) on the street, they’re very desired for reliability and tend to hold their value well (like a true Toyota).

[@lockdot2]

I daily drive a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage, great little car. I've always liked these not so pretty Echo's, I'm considering getting a cheap old manual one like this, and learn manual. Might be fun to toss around in the mountains. Can rev the snot out of it, not worrying about transmission temperatures, or anything along that line. A very reliable, forgiving little car.

[@MilkIsL3git]

6:21 When your friends say you can't hit the blunt because you didn't drop on it

[@ralphwiggum3134]

I have a 2008 Yaris and it's neat to see elements of the Echo that carried over into my car.

[@faithinjesus6531]

you did the best job I have ever seen on car review keep doing this and thankyou for an enjoyable time watching your vidio

[@guangxidavidliu]

Have you noticed that the price of a 2nd hand ECHO keeps going up in the used car market. It tells you something. Toyota was RIGHT 23 years ago for nowadays.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I used to have a 2007 Yaris 5 speed sedan, on the way home from the dealership I stopped at a stereo place & had a Kenwood head unit installed, along with a 300 watt subwoofer & a 300 watt amp. & some aftermarket aluminum wheels. I had that car for four years with no problems...man I miss that car!

[@OldFordTaurus]

I saw one of these a few feels ago. It was white. All 4 wheel covers were missing. Headlights were heavily yellowed and the car looked like it hasn't been washed since 2005 but it was still moving right along.

[@demogaming8895]

This is basically a Yaris sedan which is crazy. I see the Yaris all the time in Europe but it's only a hatchback, a Yaris sedan is something I never thought would even exist

[@hoomanAdnan]

I've been always fascinated by these cars around me 🙌🏼😅❤

[@Omfcody1]

I loved my echo, it broke my heart when I had to get rid of it due to rust.

[@SamLeung]

First car I drove was an echo. My parents car. It was a great car. Very light and tossable. Fun to drive.🙂

[@jordanbloomfield]

Also! That sync ring on second gear is always the first to go! I had to learn to rev match PURELY because of that issue

[@winstonmiu]

This was my first favourite car ever! I’m glad you reviewed one in manual!

[@Dankcatvacs]

wish it came in a wagon.

[@damilolaakanni]

They sold this as a hatchback, with either two or four doors. I'm not sure if the US got that model though.

[@winstonmiu]

@@damilolaakanni Yes we did

[@karoltakisobie6638]

Amazingly I still see those Echos running in Toronto. Hatchbacks mostly. I used to know truck mechanic who had one for a beater/runabout in his shop.

[@78FullSizeBronco]

I just bought a 2002 5 speed Echo sedan, great little cars. Sought it out specifically because it was so cheap, reliable and easy on gas. Loving it so far! Shame they died so young, I prefer the look of the Echo over the Yaris myself. My only real complaint is lack of cruise control, but intend to install an aftermarket CC system in time. I do a lot of highway commuting so CC is a must. Plan to drive it until the wheels fall off or it gets totaled out. These are trying times we are living in and I don't see gas prices ever coming down anytime soon, time to pinch pennies wherever possible!

[@PintoPopProductions]

Oh man, a silver two-door Echo was my driver training car. Almost got run over by an RV the first time I tried to merge onto the freeway in it.

[@robertdiehl9003]

Awesome review

[@hduncan2587]

I just in from the Yaris test, and wanted to see you in this... yup, glad I was vindicated as an owner of two coupes. Funny you mention the transmission feeling like 1980's Toyota. The C150 was indeed a 1980's carryover along with those door-lock plungers.

[@adam6563]

Watching this review as an owner of a 2004 Toyota echo RS and a 2013 Scion TC. The echo is one of my favorite cars that I've owned, and I've owned a lot of cars.

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

I want a 2012 and up Yaris se as well. In a 5 spd. I test drive one new. It was tremendous Seriously. Perfection. And I drive a damn 2011 Saab 9-5

[@watchingitallhere]

A friend of mine who worked at Best Buy in car stereo dept back in the day had an Echo. Put a better stereo in it, of course. Very cool.

[@marvelousmarcus759]

I just had one of these! Mine was a 4 door sedan 2001 Echo!

[@tacovids]

That was my first car and man I miss it just because how small and goofy it was lol, a wrx always reminded me of it and I have a wrx now which is sick too. Wish they brought the echo back as the cheap car for teens

[@LevantTinaz]

My 2004 Toyota Echo 4 door hatchback in Canada is still going strong after 20 years and 267189 miles (430,000 km)! Not a spot of rust on it anywhere as I've been getting the annual Krown rust control treatment (oil like spray into body panels through holes that are capped after each application as well as underneath). It's a great reliable and VERY cheap car (I paid about $17000 CAD in 2004).

[@kameronmckinnon5527]

Here in Eastern Canada the echo sold a lot like I still see plenty everyday. Surprisingly they just refuse to die but honestly I think sales figures would have increased if they would have kept the tercel name

[@benila3992]

I own/ drive an 07' Lexus ES350 and still want an Echo 5spd

[@Jac735]

They are fun little cars got a 2016 yaris hatchback and I'm loving it a nice fun little car I hooked up

[@malformedmalice7517]

I will forever remember this car as the one that was advertised in the Final Fantasy 8 official guide

[@Gizzmo112]

Finally a review of my dreamcar! Hope I will be able to afford one some day.

[@dave11686]

I test drove one once, at a sales event at the Aurora outlet mall. Same body style.

[@Ramcharger85]

Another great car from Toyota. Always like these cars for affordable dependable entry into the toyota family for me.

[@robertdiehl9003]

I like the hubcap rim look

[@wadedixon6595]

Your very well spoken.

[@jamesruiz4005]

Hardly ever see these but this was one economic car. I remember seeing this on tv Motorweek

[@OfficialSoundForce]

I love your videos.

[@kriskohnke3382]

I came across an Echo a few years ago a trade in at a Subaru dealership. Stick shift, 4 door. It was awesome! Wish I could have kept it as a toy. ❤️🚗🥰

[@powderiders6054]

If you get an echo and change the oil and maintain it proper the only thing that will kill it is rust or a crash.

[@jordanbloomfield]

Hah, I’m not sure what changed between the echo and the Yaris, but my 2006 Yaris RS with stick is one of the hardest to learn on. It’s not the shifter that’s the issue, it’s the clutch grab going into first gear. I’ve been daily driving it for like 5 or more years and I still stall it like twice a month 😂

[@funnykiasedona1077]

if you find one, i would love to see you do a video on the hyundai "getz" (especally in yellow)

[@TunaMayoInumaki]

Toyota Echo is definitely one of the cars ever for sure

[@msmarshall854]

I respect the ECHO for its UNPRETENTIOUSNESS.

[@vado575]

Such a simple car!! Gotta love Toyota

[@cliffweinan3907]

Cool you cover these basic cars that were reliable, light and affordable. This was once the practical car philosophy of VW, Mini, Citroen 2cv, Fiat, Isseta. Now a spoiled society, gov steered to larger, heavier $40k EVs. We were just talking about the only new trouble free car our friend ever had; Toyota Tercel, std shift. My wife had a Mazda 323, std shift that went over 300k miles before retired 32 years later.

[@normalizedaudio2481]

I always wondered about this one.

[@Inkling777]

I own a 2000 Echo. Toyota missed in their marketing. It's not the sort of car I would have bought when young. It'd be a great car for young marrieds-inexpensive and reliable. Three small kids could fit comfortably in the back. It'd also be great for retirees, particularly those with RVs. It's so light, it could easily be towed behind.

[@rowsdower12]

Had an 03 coupe. Looks different than earlier as it got a fairly major mak over. Very reliable cause it's simple.

[@rainystorm88]

I remember the echo costed $9,995 or something back in 2002. Miss the good old days of new cars costing under $10k

[@omgcheeter]

That’s the equivalent of $17,000 today so no they never did cost under $10K

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

After my mom's Chrysler van fell apart, she leased a Toyota Echo, then a Hyundai Elentra, then a Ford Focus. I was lead to believe as a kid that these were terrible cars, but my mom just didn't maintain them so they all had issues. No oil changes or anything, at least as far as I know. I have no doubt that well-maintained Toyota Echos are still running strong today. It is a Toyota, after all.

[@Denver1976Man]

They are a blast. I had an Echo now I have a yaris. Had a Tercel first. Scion XA is a 4 door Yaris kinda..lol After owning all of these The Yaris wins hands down. The XA is a freat car but isn't built as solid as the Yaris. I have both and always seem to jump in the Yaris...lol

[@ColinCKOV]

My friends dad bought one in 2003 and I grew up riding in the back of it. In 2022 my friends family was moving and selling the Echo so I got it. Greatest car I had probably better than my Fit. Ended up hitting some gravel in a turn and rolling it into a swamp. I had a Scanguage II in it and regularly got over 50 MPG

[@quigley3279]

I've got an old one that still has most of its original parts, I even paid extra for a period correct Cassette/CD stereo when the original radio broke.

[@uniquenamegoeshere2263]

I have an 01 Echo with half a million miles on it.

[@JD-fx9ly]

Is it weird I always find the "ugly" cars with bubbly headlights and round bodies (Like the Echo, Yaris, Juke, Versa, Aztek) the most endearing? Angry looking cars are cool, but I like the friendliness of early 2000- late 1990's economy cars, my 1999 Camry is beautful to me. The Echo is beautiful in my eyes too, despite failing, it was built well for it's purpose. It's a shame that they're dying out.

[@RAYSGT]

the echo has got to be one of the cars ever

[@matt_d7828]

@RegularCars approves 👍

[@joshuawang5859]

Really miss the years when cars were cheap, reliable, simple, and practical!

[@davinp]

I don't know why Toyota decided to put the gauges in the middle of the dash instead of behind the steering wheel

[@jennydonne8946]

I run a mk1 Yaris which shares a lot with the Echo, it's essentially the same car as the Canadian echo hatchback. The central dash display actually works well, especially as here in the UK it's a digital display.

[@bwofficial1776]

It makes it easier to build the car in right hand drive. Notice how the dashboard is more or less mirrored.

[@sammyt3514]

You forgot the Toyota Paseo, which used the same exact powertrain of the Echo but in a more attractive, sporty looking coupe. At any rate, looks are what probably did that car in; it was just awkward looking from every angle and looked tippy as well, which didn't inspire too much confidence when driving it at highway speeds. We had the hatchback version in Canada as you mentioned, which looked -- and sold -- way better.

[@sampik2003]

The paseo had similar powetrain, but weren't on the same generation. Both paseo models were related to the last two tercel generations... but yeah, the echo was more of an evolution, in lots of aspect, maybe except the look 😂 I had a echo, a paseo and a tercel, all from different generations, and you could see a difference as for interior modulation! :)

[@mitch9521]

No, not even close. The E engines and NZ engines share nothing but the displacement and the fact they are both DOHC(4E and 5E only).

[@marshmower]

Only the echo was affordable. The Celica was $20000 and mr-S was $27000? I know both were way more than the echo.

[@hduncan2587]

Paseo and Echo shared the C150 manual, not the engine at all. Both are 1.5's, but even the bore and stroke dimensions are different.

[@brentfairlie]

I so wish we had got the option of the coupe here in New Zealand. 99% were the hatchback

[@jimmypena2442]

6:02 that RC-F in the background 👀

[@ShootingCars]

Full review of it is on my channel!

[@silverwolfmonastery]

I always felt the Toyota Echo met all the criteria to be the VW Beatle of its day. It didn't gain popularity, Butt when you factor reliability, useful space, gas mileage, and price... the Echo is an unloved unicorn. It did everything a basic car should do perfectly. And for a car born of the ethos of the Model T and the VW Beatle, its performance and comfort are impressive. It had only two flaws: it is ugly and boring. If it was cute, it would be a legend.

[@benh4222]

last of the small manual cars with a decent overdrive

[@chepesantacruz777]

The period between 1990-2010 is where cars peaked.

[@zythr9999]

I tend to agree

[@geoffnoyes520]

Known as the Toyota 'Platz' here in New Zealand, ( second hand Japanese imports).

[@xaviert.123]

Someone I know has an echo that has had 2 engines in it and has over 1 million km on it. Shocks are absolutely busted, the bottom is insanely rusty, and it doesn't sound great either. Sometimes I wonder how it's still moving. But it does.

[@josephstarnes8747]

Echo was a heck of a car. And it looked a little better than a Pontiac Aztec. :))

[@herniagaming]

There not ugly, they actually look better than alot of 90s/early 2000s cars

[@fatu1738]

I like all the reviews except for the demo concept newly new cars....you can find any other channel for that. The charm and gusto of this channel lies in such modern yet forgotten cars like this including the Great American sedans etc....the old cars.

[@cafn8ed74]

Seems like everyone I've come in contact with who has owned one of these has good things to say. Still, every time I see one I think how much better it would be as a hatchback.

[@theuncalled_64]

ironically the toyota echo was the first gen toyota yaris in my country

[@hilltownmotors36]

I have 2 echo's great car 300k still get 43 mpg

[@InternetFad]

Getting a free Echo today

[@Korina42]

How do you like it?