Overview & Reviews

Consider the platypus. Being semi-aquatic, this bizarre mammal looks like a cross between a beaver and a duck. But thanks to its quirky features, it's agile on land, is a fair swimmer and is adept at rooting for food on stream bottoms.

So what's that National Geographic sound bite got to do with the Subaru Baja? Well, the somewhat visually similar Subaru was also designed to adapt to changing needs, albeit ones dictated by its owner, not its survivability. Thanks to its unorthodox architecture, the Baja promised the nimble nature and passenger comfort of a midsize sedan along with the hauling capability of a small pickup truck.

Alas, just like many of Mother Nature's past experiments, the Subaru Baja didn't quite take. The car's odd styling turned off a lot of potential buyers, as did the fact that there just weren't that many people who desired a car-based pickup. Chevy El Camino enthusiasts excepted, of course. Production ended for the Baja after just four years on the market.

Most Recent Subaru Baja

Based on the Legacy/Outback platform, the Subaru Baja was produced from 2003-'06. In terms of its exterior design, calling the Baja "distinctive" would be the nice thing to say. We're certain that the heavy cladding along the lower body was supposed to look rugged, but instead it seemed as if a Pontiac stylist from the late '80s had infiltrated Subaru's design studio.

Rather than a sedan's trunk or a wagon's enclosed cargo area, the Baja featured a small, open cargo box like a pickup truck. To improve versatility, Subaru fitted a "Switchback," otherwise known as a midgate. The midgate allowed the front wall of the bed and the rear seatback to fold down and into the passenger area. This increased bed length from 41 to 60 inches. The rear window was fixed in place, however, which placed limitations on the size and shape of items that would fit.

The Subaru Baja was initially available in standard and Sport trims. The standard Baja came with air-conditioning, leather seating, full power accessories, a CD player, 16-inch alloy wheels and a power sunroof. The Sport was more of a base trim, as it substituted cloth upholstery for the leather and had a manual, not power, driver seat. Options included a bed extender, a bed-mounted bike rack and a premium sound system with a six-CD changer. The cabin design was essentially the same as the Legacy's, which meant high-quality materials, a user-friendly control layout and comfortable seats.

Power was provided by a 2.5-liter flat-4 that made a respectable 165 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, with a four-speed automatic optional. Although the 2.5 had decent output, there's only so much thrust it could furnish while saddled with nearly 3,700 pounds of all-wheel-drive Subie. Our testing netted a 0-60 time of 9.9 seconds (with the manual gearbox) -- about equal to a compact V6 pickup of the day.

The following year, the Baja Turbo debuted. Fitted with a turbocharged version of the 2.5, it sported 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. The Baja Turbo was more than 2 seconds quicker to 60 mph and a lot more fun to drive. An Edmunds road test quote sums it up nicely: "It's not quite a performance car, but it's a lot more fun to drive than most other pickups or SUVs."

In theory, the Subaru Baja seemed to make perfect sense, offering the best attributes of a family sedan with the utility of a compact pickup. But it fell a bit short in a few areas. Passenger capacity was limited to just four rather than the regular Legacy's five. And towing capacity was rated at just 2,000 pounds with the automatic and 2,400 pounds with the manual.

Still, with its all-wheel drive, generous ground clearance and versatile cargo bed, a used Subaru Baja could be the ideal choice for outdoor sports enthusiasts involved with mountain biking, kayaking and camping. Add in Subaru's solid reputation for reliability, the Baja's easy-to-handle size and superior fuel economy (compared to a V6 pickup truck) and this odd duck of a car may make more sense than most people initially thought.

User Reviews:

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  Bought two of them - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By AnbAnimal2 - January 31 - 7:46 pm

  In 2003 I first drove a Baja, liked it so much my son and I each bought one. This car has been a blast, from driving in a Blizzard in Vermont, to the rains of Hurricane Ivan in VA., to the north woods of Canada, the Beaches of Assateaque Island, and through the Rockies in Yellowstone for 5 months. Last year I got 35 mpg in the Rockies and up to 37 mpg on the way back to PA. It still amazes me that people still stop and look at the car. I have the differential cage added, tow package, an alpine stereo system, and a tonneau rear cover, + off Road light bar. This car is one of my favorites, both my son and I refuse to part with them. Mine is red and silver, his the yellow only produced in 2003.

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  Other car a Vette &still lovin the Baja! - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By Nick Senanes - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I have a Magnetic Red Corvette to play with, but I gotta tell you the Baja gets more looks and compliments. The car is so easy to drive, the engine is smooth and powerful enough to take on all but the fastest at stoplights. The car can easily top 120 mph if you like and the harder you drive it, the better it performs. All wheel drive lets the the Subie and you laugh at snow and ice. Rain , Hah! Handles like dry ground. Gas mileage runs from 22 if driven like your in a WRC race and up to 32 on high way. This is a car I would recommend to anybody . I flat out love it.

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  Subaru Baja - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By fyr1 - November 25 - 9:36 am

  Great utility truck, only complaint is mileage dives 30% when towing 2000 lbs. It really could have used an extra speed in the automatic which would of made it more economical. At 70mph the engine is revving 3000 rpm. For a daily commuter and utility truck it is great more comfortable and economical than the Ford Ranger I traded in.

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  What a Great little Truck! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Sacttwndude - November 13 - 5:36 am

  Bought this crossover because I was tired of high gas prices and low mileage on my Toyota 4x4 Tacoma Crew Cab, and also the family SUV. However I was really addicted to the AWD on the Hyundai Santa Fe...which was also a wonderful car, but costly in gas and low mpg. Both truck and suv were new. So sold them both and got my first Subaru...a Baja. Definitely best choice, took it off road; no problems handled like a trooper, never got stuck. Took it on a cross country trip, perfect the whole distance, not a problem, and decent to good on the gas for a full time AWD vehicle. Definitely will consider another one, too bad Subaru will not be making them, maybe another manufacturer will start to make them.

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  Looks good... feels good... Want another one! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Debora in Augusta - November 11 - 3:20 pm

  If you live in a hilly area and need a great looking utility vehicle, buy a Baja equipped with a manual transmission..... coast down every hill you come to.. and get a fun to drive, head-turning ride and 30 mpg to boot. Wouldnt own anything else and will put a new engine in it when it dies.

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  My Double Duty Vehicle-2003 Subaru Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By bruce nole - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Living in a mtn.desert, the Baja proved to be just the right combo vehicle I needed for daily use with the added utility of the versatile extendable bed. With the opt. bed extender & bike rack, this vehicle has proven to be the one I drive everywhere. Complements from strangers started day 1. Mileage with regular fuel at mid to upper 20s was a pleasant surprise. A clutch replacement at nearly 18,000 mi should have been changed the first month. The hepa air filter is very efficient. Backseat passengers are amazed by the comfort. Pellagrino bottles in any of the cup holders is a 1st. So much better then a Truck.

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  More Fun Than An Outback - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Jim Silvania - October 7 - 8:36 am

  Traded a 2002 Outback for a 2005 Turbo Baja. Turbo a lot more fun to drive and the Baja suits my purposes as a small pick-up. Great car for me. Wouldnt mind a cover for the truck bed but $1,000 a little too pricey. Most enjoyment is to watch all the young kids catch up to me and watch them laugh when they see an old man zipping around in such a youthful looking vehicle. It is fun to drive, sun or snow.

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  2003 Subaru Baja Sport - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By doug madden - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I am 61" and 225 lbs. I found the vehicle to be above ave. in room, ride and road noise. It performs beautifully at highway speeds and in curves, and has plenty of pep from 0- 60 mph. It hauls the 1/4 ton payload with ease and the bed extender allows for needed space to haul multiple appliances or building materials especially with the pass through design in the crew cab. It seats 4 mature adults with comfort and all controls are easy to reach for the driver. My Baja is a stick shift 5 speed and use it in my home rental business and as a toad for my motor-home. I have never owned a vehicle that I have received some many compliments and requests for information and viewings. I will own another one!

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  Full time car, part time truck - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By c0yote - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a truck, but with my 2 yr old son, was limited to a few models to choose from that had a full back seat. I didn?t need a whole lotta truck, just for the occasional trip to Home Depot, etc. So, other than having some kind of truck bed, I was more concerned with the day-to-day items (handling, fuel mileage, comfort, reliability, safety). The Baja is the only truck that excels in all of these items. Yes, I know I can?t haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, but that?s what borrowing / renting full-size trucks are for. Why buy a truck that you?ll fully use one day a year, I?d rather drive one that fits my needs for those other 364 days a year.

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  Best Ever! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By shilo - August 11 - 7:26 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned and I have owned many. The Baja handles great in rain and snow. It is just plain fun to drive. There is nothing that I do not like about it. My last car was a horrible 2003 Mustang convertible. I will be a Baja owner for as long as Subaru keeps them in their lineup.