In 1999 the Echo replaced the uninspiring Starlet as the smallest Toyota you could buy. It was available in three- and five-door hatchback body style, or a sedan that featured a larger engine. Anti-lock brakes and a passenger airbag weren't even standard on earlier models, while power steering (2002) and air-conditioning (2003) weren't included until later. The Echo nameplate lasted just one generation, ending in 2005 when its successor adopted the car's global name: Yaris.
Pros
Cons
Big cabin for the car's size
Digital speedo quite advanced for its time
Willing and reasonably smooth 1.3L engine
Build quality
Old now; its replacement, the Yaris, a better used buy
Better 1.5L engine not in all hatch variants
Some models were short on safety/convenience features
Sedan's frumpy styling
This is general information and should not be relied on as purchasing advice.