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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  Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Baja Turbo - December 9 - 2:00 am

  You wont see one at every intresection.I get alot of stares and what is it.The best time behind the wheel is when it rains.You can take off faster than any one else,take corners and turns faster.The AWD system works well with the limited slip rear end.I dont know why sales are slow.I think subaru should have come out with the baja sooner,better late than never.I cant wait til the turbo model hits the ground.

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  My little Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Diana - November 11 - 11:16 am

  My little car has averaged 26-28 mph around town and 30-32 traveling. Today it was rear-ended by a large SUV and may well be a total loss. Fortunately the passenger cab was safe though the truck bed was left much shorter and I am fine. The disappointment is that should I have to get another vehicle, it will not be a Baja. I am very attached to my Baja. It has been the best car I have ever owned. I bought the Baja new and have driven nearly 90000 miles. I really have no complaints.

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  MY BAJA - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By JoAnn Schreckengost - October 22 - 3:40 pm

  We were trying to downsize and sold our van and Chevy S-10 for 2004 Baja. Its everything Ive ever wanted in a vehicle, easy to drive. Now I can drive at night with the fog lights; every car should have them. It is NOT a car for a pack rat unless you throw all your "stuff" in the bed; very little room for tissues, glasses, all the things women want to carry, but the other EXCELLENT features far outweigh the incidentals.

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  My Mom Loves my car - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Donna - September 7 - 6:16 am

  My Mom and Dad says it is the best riding truck. Everyone is suprised the first time they ride in it. Itdoesnt ride like a truck at all and the gas mileage is great. People are always asking what kind of vehicle it is. It is the perfect vehicle for someone like me that needs a truck sometimes and a car at other times.

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  Best of all worlds - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Kevin - August 15 - 10:26 am

  Ride of a sedan, most of the functionality of a small truck, handles great. The engine is just as smooth as my partners RX8. I had a 2002 Mazda B2300 before this, and after driving the Baja, I couldnt bear to get back in it. The difference in the refinement is like night and day. Just had my first bit of bad winter weather, and didnt slide once. This may be my first and only Baja if they stop production, but Im sold on Subaru for life.

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  Love the Baja! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By ndentel - August 15 - 10:00 am

  What a great vehicle! Have had it for 3 months and love it. The bed is way more functional than it appears at first, especially with the bed extender. We can easily take scuba gear, ball gear, bikes, kayaks, and skis wherever we want to go without using huge amounts of gas. The interior is comfortable, feature-rich, intuitive, and stylish. There is a solid feel that is not apparent in many vehicles in its price range. The AWD is a dream and its fun to drive. Take it from the ones who actually own and drive the Baja every day-its a great value that should bring a smile to your face.

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  great car - truck - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By sweet p - August 10 - 10:00 am

  its the perfect vehicle for families on the go . great style, great performance, great interior , used to own a jeep but i now love my baja .

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  I love my Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By mcharmon - July 29 - 1:43 pm

  I love my Baja. I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off, but from what I hear, that will never happen. My Baja gets good gas mileage, its sharp looking and its really fun to drive. Mine is a 5-speed manual, and it will really get up and go. In the mountains, I lock in the cruise at the speed limit and pass everybody else on the road because they cant make it up the mountain, and I go right up as if it were level ground. This is the best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Overall Excellent Vehicle! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By vv - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Im an officer in the Military and I was moving to Alaska. While I really wanted to buy the STi, a BMW 330 or a Chevy Avalanche, I couldnt bring myself to part with $35,000+, plus I was afraid the roads in Alaska and Canada would be a little too much for the first two. So, I opted for the Baja Turbo. Im very glad I did! I immediatedly drove the vehicle 4K miles through Cali, Oreagon, Washington and Canada. The manual turbo is awesome! I only wish it had the same new engine design as the Outback and the Legacy.

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  2005 Baja Turbo, Manual Transmission - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Grant Kenion - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It is fast, corners well, and for paddlers and/or cyclists, it is very practical. 4-wheel drive and the braking system are nice safety features. Everyone who has driven mine thinks it is a blast. Subaru has done a crappy job promoting a great product, but hey, thats Subaru. Dealer was very professional during sale, hope that continues for service.