The Toyota Ist, known as the Toyota Echo in North America, was a subcompact car produced by Toyota from 2002 to 2007. Positioned as an entry-level vehicle, the Ist (and Echo) aimed to provide affordable and reliable transportation with a focus on fuel efficiency and practicality. While not directly sold as the “Ist” in the United States, the Echo served the same market segment, competing with vehicles like the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, and Ford Focus. The Ist was particularly popular in Japan and Europe, offering a unique, rounded design that distinguished it from more conventional subcompacts. This article details the specifications and characteristics of the Toyota Ist 1.5i model, powered by the 1NZ-FE engine.
Toyota Ist 1.5i: An Overview
The Toyota Ist 1.5i represents the first generation of the Ist, produced between 2002 and 2007. It’s a five-door hatchback designed to maximize interior space within a small footprint. The 1.5i designation refers to the engine displacement, a 1.5-liter inline-four cylinder engine. The Ist was designed with a focus on youthful appeal, offering a distinctive exterior and a surprisingly spacious interior for its class. It was a key model in Toyota’s strategy to offer a diverse range of vehicles catering to different consumer needs and preferences.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Toyota Ist 1.5i is the 1NZ-FE 1.5-liter inline-four cylinder gasoline engine. This naturally aspirated engine produces 110 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 143 Nm (105.47 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4200 rpm. The engine features a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain with four valves per cylinder, and utilizes multi-port fuel injection. This configuration contributes to a reasonable balance of power and fuel efficiency. The power-to-weight ratio is 9.1 kg/Hp, or 110 Hp/tonne, while the torque-to-weight ratio is 7 kg/Nm, or 143 Nm/tonne. The engine’s displacement of 1496 cm3 (91.29 cu. in.) and a compression ratio of 10.5:1 further define its characteristics. The Ist 1.5i was typically equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, delivering power to the front wheels. This drivetrain configuration prioritizes fuel economy and ease of driving.
Design & Features
The Toyota Ist 1.5i is a five-door hatchback with a distinctive, rounded exterior design. This design language was intended to appeal to a younger demographic, setting it apart from more conservatively styled competitors. The interior is designed to maximize space, offering comfortable seating for five passengers. The trunk (boot) space is a respectable 435 liters (15.36 cu. ft.), providing ample room for everyday cargo. Safety features for the era included an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as standard equipment. The Ist’s suspension consists of an independent McPherson strut setup at the front and a rigid axle suspension at the rear. Braking is handled by ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The vehicle rides on 15-inch wheels with tire size 185/65 R15.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Toyota |
| Model | Ist |
| Generation | Ist |
| Type (Engine) | 1.5i (110 Hp) |
| Start of production | 2002 year |
| End of production | 2007 year |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 9.1 kg/Hp, 110 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 7 kg/Nm, 143 Nm/tonne |
| Power | 110 Hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 73.5 Hp/l |
| Torque | 143 Nm @ 4200 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 105.47 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | 1NZ-FE |
| Engine displacement | 1496 cm3 |
| Engine displacement (cu. in.) | 91.29 cu. in. |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 75 mm |
| Cylinder Bore (in.) | 2.95 in. |
| Piston Stroke | 84.7 mm |
| Piston Stroke (in.) | 3.33 in. |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 3.7 l |
| Engine oil capacity (US qt) | 3.91 US qt |
| Engine oil capacity (UK qt) | 3.26 UK qt |
| Coolant | 4.3 l |
| Coolant (US qt) | 4.54 US qt |
| Coolant (UK qt) | 3.78 UK qt |
| Kerb Weight | 1000 kg |
| Kerb Weight (lbs.) | 2204.62 lbs. |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 435 l |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum (cu. ft.) | 15.36 cu. ft. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45 l |
| Fuel tank capacity (US gal) | 11.89 US gal |
| Fuel tank capacity (UK gal) | 9.9 UK gal |
| Length | 3855 mm |
| Length (in.) | 151.77 in. |
| Width | 1695 mm |
| Width (in.) | 66.73 in. |
| Height | 1530 mm |
| Height (in.) | 60.24 in. |
| Wheelbase | 2370 mm |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 93.31 in. |
| Front track | 1455 mm |
| Front track (in.) | 57.28 in. |
| Rear (Back) track | 1435 mm |
| Rear (Back) track (in.) | 56.5 in. |
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears and type of gearbox | 5 gears, manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Independent, type McPherson with coil spring and anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | Rigid axle suspension |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Tires size | 185/65 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 15 |
The Toyota Ist 1.5i, while a relatively simple vehicle, offered a compelling package of affordability, reliability, and practicality. Its unique styling and efficient engine made it a popular choice in its target markets, and it remains a recognizable and appreciated vehicle among enthusiasts today.
