The Toyota Platz is a subcompact automobile that was manufactured in Japan by Toyota from 1999 through to 2005, when replaced by the Toyota Belta. Designated by Toyota as the XP10 series, the Platz was sold in export markets as either theToyota Echo or Toyota Yaris. The "Echo" and "Yaris" names were also given to the export version of the related Japanese market Toyota Vitz hatchback, from which the Platz derives. In Japan, it was only available at the Toyopet Store dealerships.
"Platz" is German for "space" (as defined by "the interior room is spacious"). Only inline-four engines were fitted to the Platz, which was sold in Japan as a four-door sedan only. A coupe was also available in North America where the car was badged "Echo".
| Toyota Platz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Also called | Toyota Echo Toyota Yaris FAW Xiali 2000 FAW Vitz |
| Production | 1999–2005 2000–2012 (China) |
| Assembly | Japan: Toyota, Aichi China: Tianjin (FAW) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | Toyota Vitz (XP10) Toyota Vios (XP40) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.0 L 1SZ-FE I4 1.3 L 2NZ-FE I4 1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,370 mm (93.3 in) |
| Length | 1999–2002: 4,145 mm (163.2 in) 2002–2005: 4,180 mm (164.6 in) |
| Width | 1,660 mm (65.4 in) |
| Height | 1,510 mm (59.4 in) |
| Curb weight | Coupe: 2,035 lb (923 kg) Sedan: 2,055 lb (932 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Toyota Tercel Toyota Paseo |
| Successor | Toyota Belta |
History
The Platz was introduced in 1999 as a sedan sold internationally. For North America only, when the model launched as the Echo in 1999 for the 2000 model year, a coupé guise was also offered. The Platz is heavily related to the Vitz hatchback—with which is shares front doors, a common interior and mechanical componentry. The running gear is also shared to a lesser degree with the ist and Toyota bB, sold in the United States as the Scion xA and xB respectively, and the Japan-only WiLL Vi. The same platform is the base for the Japanese-only Probox and Succeed wagons.
In the United States, the Echo sold almost 50,000 examples in its first year, with just half that many in 2003. The Echo was an element of Toyota Project Genesis, a failed effort to bring younger buyers to the marque in the United States. The Echo sold in high volumes in Canada. There, Toyota also offered three- and five-door versions of the Toyota Vitz also under the name "Echo", although they went on sale as 2004 models to replace the Toyota Echo coupe (last sold in Canada after the 2002 model year). As a response for Toyota bringing Echo hatchbacks to Canada, the Toyota Echo coupe was last sold in Canada as a 2003 model, but remained on sale in the United States until ending production as a 2005 model, along with the sedan. It was the predecessor to the current North American Toyota Yaris, sharing many identical features, such as the odd (and somewhat controversial) center placement of the speedometer and gauges, as opposed to in front of the steering wheel. Power options on the Echo are a rare find. Most are just equipped with manual windows and locks, A/C, and a six speaker audio system with a CD and/or a cassette player.
The Echo is known for its fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 38 mpg Hwy and 30 mpg City, 33 mpg combined.
In some parts of Southeast Asia (not including Hong Kong and Japan), a modified version of the Platz with different body panels is sold under the name Toyota Vios.
The 2010 edition of Monash University's Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR), found that the XP10 provides a "poor" (two out of five stars) level of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident.
Sales
- United States
- 2000 – 48,876
- 2001 – 42,464
- 2002 – 30,859
- 2003 – 26,167
- 2004 – 3,899
- 2005 – 1,544
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