Toyota Echo Sportivo 2001 Review

Toyota's Echo Sportivo hatchback is one of those cars that grows on you, not in the increasingly distressing cold sore on the lip kind of way, but in the way an ugly pup does through prolonged association. Just as a pup reveals all its quirks and characteristics which end up making it so lovable so does the Echo Sportivo.

WHAT IS IT?
Toyota has taken the honest and unassuming little Echo hatch and given it an injection of zip and soul which has transformed it into a fun car which scores big in the practicality department.

At the very core of the transformation is the 1.5 litre four cylinder double over head cam engine pulled from the sedan, and which replaces the 1.3 litre unit normally found in the hatch. The bigger unit boasts Variable Valve Timing, fuel injection and 80kW @ 4200rpm.

The car sits on one inch smaller alloy wheels than the normal fifteen inchers, and comes with a terrific set of standard features like power steering, sports seats, power windows and mirrors as well as options like antilock brakes.

WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?
Getting off the line needs a few more revs than you'd imagine, but once moving power builds up convincingly all the way through the rev range. There's even a fair bit of zest at the top end from 5,000rpm through to 6,500 rpm where other similar cars flatten out!

The five speed manual gearbox (complete with leather gear knob) is pleasingly quick, and reassuringly precise, but it's obviously not a sports box by any stretch of the imagination. The gear ratios themselves do a good job of complimenting the performance, and overlap nicely so that you never feel like you've dropped into a hole, even in fifth, which on paper is quite tall as you'd expect an overdrive to be.

In the fuel economy stakes the Echo put in a good performance at 14.1 km/l from what I'd term mixed driving. This took in the daily commute, short freeway hops and a bit of a run through the hills. I'm sure that figure could be improved to maybe 16 km/l on a run, or even with a bit more use of fifth gear.

As far as handling goes it's light and cheeky, but there's a bit of a tendency to oversteer, which is the result of a car that at 910kg weighs three parts of not very much, power steering and fourteen-inch wheels.

Sure, once you were used to the power steering it's delightfully easy to dive into corners, however once in there something isn't quite right. Maybe the tyre profiles aren't best suited, but the sensation is that the car is under-tyred. This is especially noticeable when the roads get wet and the front is pushing wide and scrabbling for grip.

The brakes, although 'only' discs up front and drum at the rear worked well with good feedback through the pedal. The anti lock however seemed a little crude and didn't manage to stop as quick as I'd expected, especially in wet conditions. Once again the finger of suspicion is pointed at the tyres!

IS IT COMFORTABLE?
If the handling is not quite as confidence inspiring as we'd like, then the comfort goes some way to making up for it. This is a car that reflects recognition that small cars should be able to do big distances. The multi adjustable sports seats, which apparently have large bolsters, are well proportioned and supportive, in concert with the suspension, ride quality is particularly good.

Headroom is exceptional and the overall sensation of space is quite amazing. Mind you, with the seats back to allow for maximum legroom, there's not a lot of legroom in the rear, as bemoaned by the six foot fourteen year old that got the rear seat test gig.

ROOM TO IMPROVE
Good as the Echo is, there are still areas that need improvement. First up there's a dangerous lack of vision brought about by the rear seat headrests. These take up about forty percent of the rear window vision and could easily hide a motorcyclist or a child stepping off the pavement. In addition, there's too much noise filtering through from the engine bay, which just shouldn't be there in a car of this price.

While I'm at it, to my admittedly nit picky eye some of the details like the metallic look knobs and handles look a bit tacky, after all this is a twenty thousand plus car. Some may see the noise issue as being in keeping with the sporty pretensions, but to me the car isn't really sporty enough to carry that off.

Rear vision aside, generally I liked the interior layout, especially the digital readout pod, which gave the impression that the figures and rev counter blocks were being generated at the end of a tunnel. Fit and finish was acceptable rather than outstanding, and I could see the car invoking a feeling of satisfaction to an owner.

WHO'S GOING TO BUY IT?
Good question that, this is a starter car for the well heeled teenager or an indulgence for those who need something a little special for the run to work or the shops. It's a great little run around, and should be an excellent car to learn to drive in. It still could be if you ditched the rear headrests I suppose.

SUMMING UP
Despite the faults I liked the car. The Echo Sportivo is never going to set the world on fire with stunning looks or startling power, but just like a pup it's playful spirit is what attracts you in the end. It delivers enough in its package to make the driving experience fun to be engaged in, and you can't help but end up liking it.