- sedan
- Cape Coral, FL
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- autoshopper.com
2001 toyota echo review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. A big ride in a funky-looking small car. introductionthis is the least expensive way to drive a new toyota. Features that are standard on many cars are all extra-cost for the echo. Not boldly funny-looking like the new beetle, but just odd. It wasn't designed for looks. It was designed for comfort, convenience, safety and affordability. so it's tall. Unheard-of tall for a subcompact. Like, taller than a cadillac. There's a cool little radio antenna at the upper left corner, reclining as if blown by speed. The high rear deck allows for a relatively huge trunk with 13. 6 cubic feet for cargo. the optional sports body kit includes fender flares and rocker panels of truly funky flat gray plastic. Even though this is the least expensive toyota, it doesn't feel cheap. big slanted-eye headlights and a short hood comprise the echo's cab-forward design. The narrow black grille connecting the lights doesn't compliment them the way it might. Most of the opening for air to the engine is under the molded bumper. There's not one gauge or button or knob or display more or less than is needed. The instrument binnacle is strikingly clean and simple, with a speedometer having handsome black-on-white lettering reminiscent of a lexus, glowing bluish at night. Seven little round black dots, warning lights, are bunched so they look sort of like a domino on the dash. The digital clock is easy to read. There's no tachometer (that's a frill) but there is a rev limiter (which is not). the binnacle is recessed into the deep dash, and uniquely positioned in its center, canted toward the driver. Glancing right to check speed soon becomes as natural as glancing downward. Most likely, toyota wanted to reduce the cost of building right-hand-steering cars, as the location would be unchanged. visibility is excellent through ample glass. The wipers that come with optional upgrade package #1 1020) have long, broad strokes, and the washer fluid squirts from six holes. It tilts, but only from low to about medium-low. Integrated headrests are designed to reduce whiplash. The fabric covering has almost no pleating. Toyota points out that the high roof allows for more upright seating, which might have had something to do with why we couldn't get the seatback to feel quite right, as if the shoulders and lumbar were unmatchable. Both front seats recline, and there's enough rear legroom that the rear passengers' knees aren't squished. the interior may be spartan but it's hugely versatile, including tremendous storage spaces. There are deep vertical pockets, one on each side of the climate control/sound system, useful for tapes and cds. There are smaller pockets on each front door, and big bins on both sides under the dash. Cupholders lie forward and on each side of the shift lever. Big holes, unmovable, unbreakable. Big cupholders in the rear, too. there's a grab handle over the passenger-side window. Power door locks are part of option group #2 1420, including air conditioner and 6-speaker cd), but there's no remote control. On a curvy two-lane stretch where we carefully respect the law by driving no faster than 60 even in the straight sections, we glanced over (not down) at the speedometer and were startled to see 72 mph. Not once, but twice. another outstanding feature that contributes to this subcompact phenomenon is the super ride quality. Macpherson struts and coil springs in front, with torsion beams in back, allows the 2020-pound echo to glide over bumps. The optional power steering has such good feel that it's difficult to imagine its not being worth the money 270). on the freeway, the echo wants to move around a bit, but not seriously. In 40-mph gusts it found curves that weren't there. But it probably would have taken 12-inch-wide tires to prevent that, given the height and light weight. Speaking of tires, the p175/65 r14 bridgestone potenzas handled high-speed puddle jumping with only the slightest of hydroplaning. there is good, solid, smooth resistance to the brake pedal, which triggers the front ventilated discs and rear drums. It doesn't take much to slow such a light car down. Toyota says crash test results for the echo are as good as for its 3200-pound camry. Front passenger side-impact air bags are a new option for 2001. summaryeven with all its highway strengths, it's hard to imagine a better city car than the echo, whether new york, sao paulo or tokyo. Because the competition is solid, toyota might not have fired a shot that echoes 'round the world, but it's a great little blast. toyota might not sell tons of these small one-ton cars in the u. S., land of milk and honey and big honkin' suvs, but the company knows the world is bigger than the u. S. model lineup2-door 9995); 4-door 10,525). assembled intoyota city, japan. model tested2-door 9995). Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Tachometer✔ Power Locks✔ Climate Control✔ CD Player✔ Cruise Control✔ Air Conditioning
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