How big is the Toyota Echo hatchback?
The Toyota Echo hatchback, sold in North America from 2000 to 2005, is a compact subcompact with a small footprint. In brief: it measures roughly 150–156 inches long, about 63–66 inches wide, and around 56–58 inches tall, with about 9–10 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and up to roughly 40 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The Echo was designed as an economical, maneuverable hatch for urban driving, and its size remained consistent across its US generations. This article outlines its core dimensions, cargo capacity, and how the footprint compares to other Toyota models and regional variants.
Core dimensions at a glance
Before listing the numerical values, note that the Echo’s size is typical for a 2000s-era subcompact hatch. The following measurements capture the common ranges seen across model years and markets.
- Overall length: approximately 149–156 inches (3,785–3,955 mm)
- Wheelbase: about 92–93 inches (2,336–2,362 mm)
- Width: roughly 63–66 inches (1,600–1,680 mm)
- Height: around 56–58 inches (1,420–1,470 mm)
These figures place the Echo solidly in the subcompact class, prioritizing urban agility and easy parking while offering a practical hatch layout for its size. Variations by year and market are relatively modest but can exist due to safety, bumper, and trim differences.
Cargo space and seating capacity
To understand how much you can carry, it helps to separate behind-the-rear-seat space from what you get with the rear seats folded. The Echo is designed to balance everyday practicality with its compact footprint.
- Behind the rear seats: about 9–10 cubic feet (255–284 liters) of cargo space
- With rear seats folded: roughly 28–40 cubic feet (793–1,132 liters) of total cargo volume, depending on seat configuration and year
- Seating: room for 5 passengers, with a compact rear legroom profile typical of subcompacts
In daily use, the Echo’s hatchback design makes it easy to load groceries and small parcels, while the limited overall cargo area compared with larger hatchbacks means packing efficiency matters for longer trips.
Market variations and context
Across markets, the Echo shared a family likeness with related Toyota hatchbacks, but regional specifications could yield slight dimensional differences. The car evolved into the Yaris nameplate in some markets, reflecting Toyota’s global branding strategy for small cars.
US vs overseas versions
- US Echo (2000–2005): consistent subcompact footprint, with lengths typically cited in the upper end of the range and a wheelbase near 92 inches
- Overseas Platz/Vitz variants: similar overall size, with minor variations in height or bumper design to accommodate local regulations or market preferences
For buyers researching a used Echo, it’s worth checking the exact specifications for the specific model year and market, as minor changes can affect interior space and exterior dimensions.
Summary
