You might also congratulate yourself on your own minimalist efficiency each time you climb inside, which, with Echo's low floor and high roof, is easy. There's not one gauge or button or knob or display more or less than is needed. The instrument binnacle is strikingly clean and simple, with a speedometer having handsome black-on-white lettering reminiscent of a Lexus, glowing bluish at night. Seven little round black dots, warning lights, are bunched so they look sort of like a domino on the dash. The digital clock is easy to read. There's no tachometer (that's a frill) but there is a rev limiter (which is not).

The binnacle is recessed into the deep dash, and uniquely positioned in its center, canted toward the driver. Glancing right to check speed soon becomes as natural as glancing downward. Why this design? Most likely, Toyota wanted to reduce the cost of building right-hand-steering cars, as the location would be unchanged. (Interestingly, Saturn has adopted this design for its 2003 Ion.)

Visibility is excellent through ample glass. The wipers that come with optional Upgrade Package #1 ($1,020) have long, broad strokes, and the washer fluid squirts from six holes. The rear window is not spacious like the front windshield, but fills the rearview mirror; there are no blind sports when you're backing up.

The simple vinyl steering wheel has the correct diameter and thickness. It tilts, but only from low to about medium-low. There's still ample knee room, and space between the door and the steering wheel allows the driver to place his or her left foot flat on the floor when it's not stretched to the dead pedal, during open freeway driving.

The four-way adjustable front seats are fairly comfortable, despite having a round shape that seems to be an interior theme. Integrated headrests are designed to reduce whiplash. The fabric covering has almost no pleating. Toyota points out that the high roof allows for more upright seating, which might have had something to do with why we couldn't get the seatback to feel quite right, as if the shoulders and lumbar were unmatchable. Both front seats recline, and there's enough rear legroom that the rear passengers' knees aren't squished.

The interior may be Spartan but it's hugely versatile, including tremendous storage spaces. There are deep vertical pockets, one on each side of the climate control/sound system, useful for tapes and CDs. There are smaller pockets on each front door, and big bins on both sides under the dash. Cupholders lie forward and on each side of the shift lever. Big holes, unmovable, unbreakable. Big cupholders in the rear, too.

There's a grab handle over the passenger-side window. Power door locks are part of option group #2 ($1,375, including air conditioner and 6-speaker CD), but there's no remote control. Surprisingly, cruise control is not even an option.