Overview & Reviews

The Baja is all new for 2003. It's similar to the Subaru Outback, but it has an open cargo bed. Certainly a niche vehicle, it should appeal to people with active lifestyles, especially those who ski or surf.

• Comfortable ride, stable handling, decent fuel mileage, multiple configurations, unlikely to be lost in a parking lot.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 97.00

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  Love my Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By goatspeed - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I went to the Subaru dealership intending to buy an Imprezza WRX. The wife convinced me to try a Baja that day too, and I went with the Baja. What a great ride! It is stable, grips corners, and hauls the lawn clippings to the compost. Yeah, I cant think of anything I really dislike about this vehicle. It gives you the features of a pickup. I make 28mpg on long trips. It snowed last week, and the thing is a TANK in the snow. Couldnt be happier.

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  GREAT all purpose car - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By dailydrivernj - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Owning this vehicle now for one year has been a terrific experience. Good fuel economy, NO reliability issues at all. Fun to drive and gets a lot of looks. Interior storage is a bit tight at times. Comfortable seating in all 4 places. Dealer replaced front brakes under warranty at 22000 miles. The 30000 mile service at the dealer is a bit pricey for a 4cyl car. Cold a/c in summer and decent heat in winter. Easy to maintain and keep clean

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  Steves Review - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By hazzardwarning - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive this car. So far I have not had any problems with it. I went from a dodge ram with a 360 engine to this, so I can really tell the difference in fuel useage. It does lack a lot of get up and go though (though it is not bad for a 4 cyl). I would like to see a 6 cyl or the higher performance 4 (such as the WRX). Though I know that there is no possiblity of this, I would also like to see a special edition STI version of the BAJA (such as the WRX STI). If I had it to do over again, I would have made the same decision in purchasing this vehicle.

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  Fun! Fun!! Fun!!! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By skiwee - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Baja has proven itself in several snowstorms in the Northeast. (Changed Bridgestones to Dunlop Wintersport M2 tires.)Unstoppable, reliable, great handling and ride. Only positive comments from onlookers, so far.

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  i like my baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Baja duck - June 8 - 10:00 am

  It was really out of our price range at the time. But after having test drove the manual we were hooked. It has a unique styling all its own, handles great, is fun to drive, and comes standard w/ leather, sunroof etc. very nice car. Very nice dealership.

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  Most versatile vehicle I have driven - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By kalins1 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Sure it wont haul 2 tons of top soil, but considering most truck owners only use their full beds 10 percent of the time (cant remember where that research came from), the Baja has plenty of hauling capacity. Plus, if you throw a hitch on it, you can haul a trailer and basically double the capacity. Did I mention that our Baja has been getting 26 mpg!!!

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  Nothing else like it - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Subaru_You - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Analyzed hundreds of vehicles for: Child safety; Appearance; Fun; Economy; Performance; 4-doors; and cargo capacity. Came down to four vehicles: Subaru Baja; Honda Element; Toyota 4Runner and RAV4. Baja came out on top for me. Local Subaru dealership beat my credit union on financing. Also got the 03 Baja well below invoice. Driving the Baja confirms the right choice: AWD, superb handling, tight, solid, and quiet. Fuel economy that is good. Audio upgrade sounds great, and more useful features than a Swiss Army knife. Work for a tech company with a parking lot full of grey BMW and Benz. Glad I didnt go down that expensive and typical route.

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  03 baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By daskmjeg - April 10 - 2:00 am

  My first reaction to the Baja as "get a real truck...one that you can acutally do something with". I ended up looking at this vehicle by accident. Once I was how versitile it was, I fell in love with it. The switchback is great to get lumber and such in the vehicle. With the bed extender and the tailgate that supports 700 lbs., there is little I cant do with it! The subaru awd system is incredible. the baja hugs all the mountainous winding roads. The ride is smooth over bumpy roads; more so than any domestic car i have travelled it. The baja is well constructed. No squeaks or rattles. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Listen To The Owners - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By subguy - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Went looking on a whim. Surprised at how large and rugged this vehicle was. Drives great, tight. Interior reminds me of BMW (in a good way). Went with the all silver design. Looks sharp. Sub. does a disservice by using the yellow and silver with those mickey mouse spot lights as its "show" car. In monochrome, this car would appeal to much wider audience. Youll especially love this vehicle if your used to driving alone or with only a front seat passenger. That way, you can use the folded down rear seat area as your "trunk" (the tinted rear windows serves well to hide valuables) and the flat bed for the occasional cargo haul.

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  New "Brat" is a blast! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By mddolfan - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I was intrigued by the Baja from the first Subaru "teasers" in the Spring of 2002. After test driving the Baja next to a couple of compact pickups, I took it home. I was a little worried about whether it would be practical or even useful as a "truck," but after six months, Ive enjoyed every minute of owning it. Handling is great. I had the rotor vibration problems mentioned in another review, but Subaru replaced all four and it rides fine now. Its a little underpowered, but still moves when needed. It has a VERY long list of standard features. Its been useful for small and medium-sized loads. Overall, I couldnt be happier with it.