TIL the 1st gen Toyota Vitz was sold in Canada as the Toyota Echo hatchback

"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius) 11/16/2014 at 22:21 • Filed to: None

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Look at that. So foreign. Much forbidden fruit.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Funny thing is, I thought I spotted one near Chicago a few years back when the Yaris came out (edit: that's 2005-2011 2nd gen one I'm referring to if you look at it globally). I only knew this car from one of the first license tests in Gran Turismo 2. I was shocked wondering why I haven't seen one before, like was it even offered here? Nope. But it was in Canada and Chicago is very close to it.

edit: For the record, U.S. only got the Echo coupe and sedan for that generation. The Yaris sedan and hatchback came out for the next generation.

There was even an RS version, but it's all cosmetics apparently.

North America

The Vitz was not sold in North America until 2003 when it launched in Canada under the "Echo" name for the 2004 model year. Prior to this, only the Platz-based Echo sedan and coupe were available in Canada.

The hatchback (3 and 5 door) was introduced in Canada only due to the higher sales achieved by the sedan and coupe compared to the United States. Minor changes were made to meet Canadian safety requirements such as larger bumpers. Although an RS version was offered, it consisted of cosmetic changes only (rear spoiler, alloy wheels, RS badges) as all Canadian-bound Echo hatches were sold with the 1.5-litre 1NZ-FE engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Vi…

Thunderface > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:23

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I can confirm this

Zohaibman72 > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:25

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I don't know what was up with the Cars name back then. It was sold as Vitz, Echo AND Yaris. It would have been easier to just name it Yaris initally because the next Gens are called Yaris in Canada.


Also, Regular Car Reviews has a Toyota Echo. And they are not Canadian.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:26

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Wait, I thought the Echo was sold in the US, replaced by the yaris

BrownMiataDieselWagon > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:27

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That's The Blueberry. C'mon, son!

cuts_off_prius > Zohaibman72 11/16/2014 at 22:28

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The Echo was sold in the U.S. as a coupe only. We missed out on the hatch (Vitz), since Americans are allergic to them. Edit: correction, it was sold as a sedan as well. I only noticed coupes around here though, so I got that impression.

carcrasher88 > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:29

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I actually saw one of these once with NY plates on it. A 5-door hatchback model in Millennium Gold.

TheHondaBro > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:32

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DAT FLAME DOE.

Funktheduck > BrownMiataDieselWagon 11/16/2014 at 22:32

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filmed in Canada too btw

Funktheduck > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 11/16/2014 at 22:33

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Yaris was either coupe or sedan only. Hatchback was vitz in the great north.

Funktheduck > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:33

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I sat in an Echo once. Surprisingly roomy

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Funktheduck 11/16/2014 at 22:34

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So what we know as an Echo, Canada knows as a vitz

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Funktheduck 11/16/2014 at 22:35

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British Columbia!

Boxer_4 > Funktheduck 11/16/2014 at 22:38

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However, a 2nd gen Yaris is featured in the some of the shots that were actually filmed in Santa Barbara. (I remembered seeing that on Yarisworld. I haven't actually watched Psych.)

dogisbadob > cuts_off_prius 11/16/2014 at 22:39

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Oh man I really wish we got the Echo hatchback. I'd LOVE a blue RS 4-door hatch! They also got the Acura EL and CSX and Mercedes B-Class.

FWIW, the Scion cars weren't sold up there back then.

Funktheduck > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 11/16/2014 at 22:42

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I misspoke. Echo in the US was only available as a non-hatch. It was replaced by the Yaris which I think comes or came in hatch or non hatch.

I believe yes to answer your question. That or only the hatchback was vitz. I've confused myself. Stupid regional names.

Funktheduck > BrownMiataDieselWagon 11/16/2014 at 22:43

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I think several USA shows were filmed in Canada but set in California.

Funktheduck > Boxer_4 11/16/2014 at 22:44

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The bulk of the filming was done up in Canada with occasional shoots in Santa Barbara.

It's a pretty funny show. Need to finish it up on Netflix

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Boxer_4 11/16/2014 at 22:48

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Yes, my favorite usa network series Monk was also filmed in BC, but set in San Francisco!

Boxer_4 > BrownMiataDieselWagon 11/16/2014 at 22:52

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Hm, I didn't realize that Monk was filmed in BC. Monk is still my favorite USA network series.

cuts_off_prius > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 11/16/2014 at 22:53

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Here's what I believe it was:

For the U.S., we only got the Echo coupe and sedan.

Then for the next gen, the Yaris name came along and we had a Yaris sedan and 3/5 door hatchback. Simple.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Zohaibman72 11/16/2014 at 23:13

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Actually, RCR totalled that one, they got a Fit now.

Zohaibman72 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 11/16/2014 at 23:20

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meant to type had*

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Zohaibman72 11/16/2014 at 23:21

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Typos happen.

D > TheHondaBro 11/16/2014 at 23:30

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born free

die free

*guitars screaming*

duurtlang > cuts_off_prius 11/17/2014 at 12:54

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My 89 year old grandfather drives one of these, the 5 door hatch version. It was the first gen Yaris here in Europe. Great vehicles for the elderly.

Dsscats > cuts_off_prius 11/17/2014 at 22:04

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Saw one down here in LA. Barely noticed it.

gmctavish needs more space > cuts_off_prius 11/17/2014 at 23:49

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Were these not sold in the states? They're still everywhere up here, I just think of it as the precursor to the Yaris

cuts_off_prius > gmctavish needs more space 11/18/2014 at 01:20

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They weren't sold here. We only got the Echo coupe and sedan, but since you guys had stronger sales for small cars, you got the hatchback as well.