Like its sedan sibling, the Echo Hatchback incorporates a MacPherson strut front suspension with offset coil springs. A torsion beam setup with low-mounted coil springs, specifically reconfigured for the hatchback, is in the rear.
While effective for handling this suspension configuration optimizes the limited space available in a subcompact chassis. Once inside it makes sense. Like the tall sedan the hatch has much more room than initially expected. In 3-door models the front passenger seats pops up and forward, completely out of the way to make room for rear seat passengers. Despite the small exterior dimensions it's one of the best vehicles to get an infant child seat in and out of, due largely to the generous floor space when the front passenger seat is pulled forward and its tall configuration overall. The rear seat houses an integrated storage bin in the center armrest that also holds a cupholder, plus its split seatbacks fold 60/40 providing a wagon-like loading area.
People either love or hate the central mounted gauge cluster, the same as on the Echo sedan that was recently copied by Saturn in its new Ion. Of course it wasn't an original idea in the first place but Toyota brought it back to the common car from obscurity and deserves the credit. It serves a double purpose of minimizing manufacturing costs for right hand drive markets while looking unorthodox, a rebellious attitude appreciated by the young audience Toyota is targeting.