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| The Echo hatch is built on the same platform as the popular Echo sedan. (Photo: Toyota) |
Still the majority of entry-level car buyers may never know or even care that Toyota Canada has gone to such trouble on their behalf, they'll just look at it and like what they see, or not. What's to like? First of all it might carry the same badge as its 4-door sedan namesake, but its 3 or 5-door hatchback styling is all different, and I might add a lot more youth oriented. It's downright cute and mischievous looking simultaneously, kind of like my 2 year old when he knows he's not supposed to be doing something but just keeps doing it.
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| The Echo hatchback uses the same 105-hp 1.5-L 4-cylinder engine as the sedan and coupe (shown) of the same name. (Photo: Toyota) |
The model's dependability is hardly a question, Toyota deserves that respect. But will it be fun to drive? Surprisingly the Echo sedan is a blast to zip around town in, so hatch should be at least as good. It uses the same 108-hp 1.5-L 4-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), the same fuel saving, torque producing technology that turns the Celica GT-S into such an animal after 5000 rpm. On the flip side that means it should be good on fuel, achieving something close to the Echo sedan's stellar 6.6 L/100 km city and 5.1 L/100 km highway rating. It will also meet National Resources Canada's standards for certification as a low-emission vehicle (LEV). Power goes to the front wheels via a standard 5-speed manual or optional electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission.