Furthermore, the Echo has very open windows; not literally, but the visual range is very good. The front windshield is mounted at a comfortable angle making it convenient to look out of even if you are quite tall - i.e. like the 6'4" boyfriend. What can I say; it is a well designed compact car. There is more than ample headroom, and an impressive trunk volume of 365 L (12.9 cu ft).
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| The Echo is a well-designed compact car with more than ample interior space, especially headroom. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
The cloth bucket seats are quite cozy too, and have commendable lumbar support. The Echo also has available power door locks and color-keyed door handles, both part of the optional $645 4-door package, that also includes body-color bumpers and the 15-inch wheels and P185/60R15 tires I mentioned previously. Alternatively you can also get all of the above as well as body-color wheel flares, body-color side skirts and a rear spoiler with the optional $1,945 style package. I also appreciated the standard 3-spoke steering wheel, very well designed and proving soft on the hands but sturdily built.
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| A big positive for the Echo is its fuel economy, using a paltry 7.1 L/km in the city and 5.5 L/km on the highway. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Let's talk
fuel economy. The Echo is great on gas, need I say more? In the city it sips a mere 7.1 litres per 100 km and on the highway, an impressive 5.5 litres per 100 km. I'll just say, as a starving student, I couldn't ask for anything better this side of a $30,000 Prius.
Here I go again on the center dash deal. I am still not used to the gauge cluster which is center-mounted, but in time, perhaps I will get accustomed to it. It does open the vision field up quite a bit, but also forces the driver to look to the centre for information. I also found the Echo's engine to be overly revy, but that happens in low-horsepower 4-cylinder cars. The front dash was a gray colour, which I thought didn't do the Echo justice; it looks a bit cheap. Furthermore, there is no tachometer, something I find essential.
