Toyota Echo sedan & Daewoo Lanos hatchback

lanosdude

Hello to all:

This is my first time posting a message. I've read many messages on the pros and cons of different hatchbacks and sedans so I thought I'd offer my observations on these two vehicles. My wife owns a 2000 Toyota Echo and I recently purchased a 2001 Daewoo Lanos Sport after having owned many Toyotas. Some people find the Echo to be ugly while others think it's cute (me included). Looks aside, the Echo is one great little car. It's reliable (what Toyota isn't), gets great gas mileage, has the most user friendly interior you'd ever want, rides nice for a small car and has decent acceleration and handling despite it's rather high profile. She bought hers loaded with side skirts, spoiler, alloy wheels and premium sound system. This is one of the easiest cars for around town driving that I've ever seen. I just purchased the Lanos Sport in December. It too has many of the virtues of the Echo although the gas mileage isn't as good and the steering has a more weighted feel to it. Both cars are automatics so I don't look to be setting any acceleration records here. The Lanos Sport has the leather seats and I've never felt such comfortable seats in any small car. My wife agrees. She actually likes the Sport better than her Echo. My only complaints with either car is the lack of full instrumentation. The American version of the Lanos Sport isn't available with a tachometer and neither is the Echo. I'm just hoping my Sport will be as reliable as her Echo.

revka

and thanks for sharing your story. Feel free to also participate in our Daewoo Lanos discussion. I look forward to hearing about your ownership experience. Happy Motoring! ;-)

Revka
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iluvmysephia1

an economical 4-door sedan, not a hatchback? If they make a Toyota Echo hatchback in either 2 or 4 doors let me know, OK? I'm curious if there's one that differs in design to the Toyota Echo sedan we've been seeing for a while. Actually, the front of the Echo looks pretty good IMHO. If they style a hatchback from that same front design and seriously modify the rear end(or use the same rear end style) there might be something there worth looking at.

lngtonge18

The Echo only comes in 2 or 4 door sedan form in the US. In Japan and Europe, they sell a 2 and 4 door hatch version called the Yatiz that looks very similar to the Echo.

revka

To help clarify for others passing through here, please note the minor change in the title. You'll now find the word "sedan" immediately following Toyota Echo. Hope this is helpful.

Revka
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Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards

8u6hfd

The hatchback is called the Yaris (Vitz).

In Japan, the echo is called the Platz

lanosdude

Hi everyone,

I'm the one that posted the original message about Echo vs. Lanos. I apologize for not putting the word "sedan" in my posting. If you want to see some pictures of the Yaris do a search on the Google search engine. I found many web sites with some really neat pictures. I wish we could get the same instrumentation on the Echo that the Yaris has. In some countries you can get an electronic display of the Tach and Speedo while in other countries you get analog versions of both. We can't get either here. I also read about a high performance version of the Echo possibly coming to America. Toyota was supposed to make a decision on this in January but as of now there has been no confirmation. I have now had my Daewoo Lanos Sport for a few months and I love it. If anyone is considering this car I'd be glad to fill them in on the many positive features of this car. I have no idea why Edmunds is so down on the Lanos. Don't believe everything you read. Go test drive one and you'll see what I mean.