Toyota Echo Gas Mileage

Over its six-year run, the Toyota Echo built a reputation based on strong gas mileage ratings and a low sticker price. With highway gas mileage figures that ranged into the low 40 mile per gallon (MPG) range (when outfitted with the five-speed manual) and a MSRP that started at just $9,995, the draw was clear. Toyota marketed the 2000 Echo as bringing “Roominess, Performance and Youth Appeal to the Entry-Level Segment.” Ah, but the appreciation of the finer points of high-MPGs and low monthly payments knows no age barriers.

2005 Toyota Echo

The Echo was available in both four-door (shown above) and two-door models. Under the hood, a spunky 1.5 liter DOHC four cylinder engine using Toyota’s VVT-i (“Variable Valve Timing with intelligence”) technology delivered sub nine second 0-60 times, as it produced 108 horsepower (HP) and 105 foot pounds of torque.

Toyota Echo Gas Mileage: 2000-2005

Year Manf. Model Engine Disp. Fuel Trans. City Hwy
2005 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 33 39
2005 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 35 42
2004 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 33 39
2004 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 35 43
2003 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 33 39
2003 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 35 43
2002 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 34 41
2002 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 32 38
2001 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 34 41
2001 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 32 38
2000 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 34 41
2000 Toyota Echo 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 31 38

11 thoughts on “Toyota Echo Gas Mileage”

  1. My 2004 Echo 2 door no power steering or brakes and the air turned off will get 46 MPG at 80 on the expressway. 51 MPG at 55mph
    and 40 around town. Who needs a Hybrid?

  2. My 2001 Echo has gotten me from St. Louis, MO to Charlotte NC via the Smokies with air on and radio blaring with right above 40 mpg every time. I love this car! My only worry is that when I’m due for another car, it’ll barely measure up to my little red Echo.

  3. Our 2000 Echo just returned 50 mpg on a full day of highway driving.
    It is a fantastic car with loads of space inside. Used to haul lanky teens.
    Their snowboards fit between the back window and the stick shift.
    Why did Toyota stop producing this roomy economical model?

  4. Our 2003 Echo delivers a consistent 39 to 41 MPG combined city/highway. We’ve made no major repairs in 130k miles.

    We’ll patch this little honey up until we can’t anymore. I haven’t found anything in a 5 passenger vehicle that measures up in terms of overall quality and efficiency.

  5. I have a 2000 echo w/161,000 miles on it – and not major repairs yet, knock on wood! Just keep up on the scheduled maintenance, and it’ll run FOREVER – GREAT gas mileage too!! I’ve driven 450 miles, from Sacramento to Bend, OR many times, countless times. I’ll gladly hand this car down to my son a a couple of years – a car I got when he was still in a car seat!

  6. I have a friend with a Toyota Echo with 350K miles on it and still running like new with no repairs yet. He has run synthetic oil in it the whole time. I just bought a 2000 echo with 33K on it and plan the same.

  7. Purchased a 2004 Echo RS 5-door hatchback from Canada (exceeds both US emission AND safety standards, so a breeze to import) for my daughter, and she happily reports 42+ mpg average on her daily commute to school (AC,AT,power locks, alloys, superb sound system)…

    Too bad they never offered that iteration here: They could’ve sold thousands!

  8. Wife’s ’00 Echo is a little trooper. 210k miles besides routine stuff I have only now had to replace the catalytic converter – only $130 installed. Rides surprisingly well, the motor has more pep than expected, and even with automatic transmission returns a consistent 44-46mpg highway and around 35mpg on my commute. Ugly little car, but its beauty is more than skin deep.

  9. My 2005 Echo 2 door, with standard trans gets 56 mpg on the highway. Wish it had air, but was told no way to add it once you have it. Best small car ever. Gets better mileage than a smart car, and carries 4 large adults in comfort.

  10. I just bought an Echo this year, and it is a very well made car. Puts one of my friends Prius to shame in a lot of ways even handling. Went for a drive in the snow and when the Prius started to wash out in turns, the Echo with a much lighter front end went through the same turns like a champ. There is so much more that can be wrote about the Echo.

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