When Toyota announced the Echo, we were somewhat confused by the
specifications. It looked as though the Echo was going to be as fast as the
Corolla, and large inside, and, of
course, as reliable; so why would people still want a Corolla?
When we drove the
Echo, we quickly found out that it is aimed at different buyers than the
Corolla, and, for that matter, the Prius on which it is
based. While the Prius and Echo share a basic body, and look almost identical,
the Prius has a better looking interior, better sound insulation, a more
powerful engine (which gets much better mileage), and substantially more
interior space - coupled with a starting price double that of the Echo, albeit
including many "standard options."
Compared with the Corolla, the Echo has a generally cheaper feel inside,
though that is more a matter of fabrics and such than of quality. The Echo feels
as high-quality as any other Toyota, which would make it a standout in the
under-$12,000 class.
Though the small engine can hurtle the Echo to sixty in about the same time
as it takes the Corolla to get there, it is extremely slow when out of its power
band. The little car can easily make it to illegal speeds, and can accelerate
while there, but feels underpowered compared with the Corolla. So much for the
traditional acceleration spec of zero to sixty. Gas mileage is similar to the
Corolla, matching five speed to five speed, though we believe we exceeded EPA
estimates despite fast driving.
The interior looks like, well, a Prius interior with cheaper guages and
switches substituted for the electronic displays and thermostatic controls. The
tiny instrument panel, up in the center of the car, is easy to get used to, and
is easier to read quickly than traditional panels. However, a temperature gauge
would be nice - the idiot light tends to wash out, and doesn't really give much
information. Likewise, a tachometer is really needed for such a small engine.
Other controls are all sensible and include a well designed cruise stalk and
door lock buttons placed sensibly on the door if you get electric windows, and
oddly in the center console if you don't.
The high ceiling means that tall people can actually feel comfortable, and
that average-height people get a feeling of space inside. However, front-to-back
room is sparse, so that back seat passengers have very little leg room. The
trunk is fairly large, and there is plenty of internal storage. We especially
liked the innovative storage areas on both sides of the center stack.
It is very easy to work the clutch, but the stick tended to be balky. The
engine is peppy when in the right gear. Wind noise is high but not excessive on
the highway, and the vent fan is relatively quiet thanks to innovative vents.
Handling is good for a car of this class, not up to the Rio's standards, but
certainly capable of coming up to most drivers' needs and expectations. Body
roll is surprisingly low given the "tall car" stance, but understeer can be a
problem, especially on initial acceleration when torque steer takes hold. The
ride is very good for the price class, and braking seems good. This would be a
very fun car with a little suspension tuning and a Corolla engine.
While the heat
seemed powerful after the engine warmed up - which took quite a while - we
suspect the air conditioning is below average based on our experience with the
Corolla. The stereo is mediocre, though not much more so than the Corolla's.
Overall, the Echo is a bargain if you buy it with few or no options, but even
a few common options quickly raise the price to Corolla levels. The Corolla has
a nicer interior and more refinement, though it loses a little of the raw "fun
factor".
This is a crowded segment with lots of good bargains - notably the
Neon - so shop around, and
definitely consider a low-end Corolla as an alternative.
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Toyota
Yaris/Echo/Yaris Verso
1999-2005
1.0i · 1.3i · 1.5i
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota
Vitz 10 / Platz
1999-2005
1.0i · 1.3i · 1.5i
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota
FunCargo
1999-2005
1.3i · 1.5i
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota-Club
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