Speaking of cranking the tunes the stock stereo performs well, and the in-dash CD player was a bonus unexpected in this class of car. We spent the day Christmas shopping with Sharon's seven month old son strapped into a car seat in the back beside my six year old daughter, and everything we needed easily organized in the large pockets in its front doors, driver and passenger seat pockets, door map pockets, seat back pockets, upper and lower split glove boxes, storage tray under the passenger seat, CD and tape storage, front and rear cup holders and the surprisingly huge trunk. Whew!
Now don't get me wrong, I don't look at cars from the married-with-kid point of view. Truth is, I spent most of my time driving the Echo alone, flying around the city (listening to tunes and dancing in my seat). Although it is true that the car does inspire you to crank out the music, I never found anyone hitting garbage can lids, or anything else for that matter (as the TV commercial would suggest). However it is a car that does get checked out (or was it my dancing).
The engine includes variable valve timing (for the first time in this class) which improves gas mileage and reduces emissions while stepping up the performance to the tune of 108-hp @ 6000rpm and 105 ft lbs of torque @ 4200rpm. As well, maintenance is reduced by the use of a timing chain instead of a timing belt. Additionally a 3-way catalytic converter saves you time warming it up.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't look at cars from the married-with-kid point of view. Truth is, I spent most of my time driving the Echo alone, flying around the city (listening to tunes and dancing in my seat). Although it is true that the car does inspire you to crank out the music, I never found anyone hitting garbage can lids, or anything else for that matter (as the TV commercial would suggest). However it is a car that does get checked out (or was it my dancing).
The engine includes variable valve timing (for the first time in this class) which improves gas mileage and reduces emissions while stepping up the performance to the tune of 108-hp @ 6000rpm and 105 ft lbs of torque @ 4200rpm. As well, maintenance is reduced by the use of a timing chain instead of a timing belt. Additionally a 3-way catalytic converter saves you time warming it up.