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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  Best Vehicle - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Jake - June 18 - 12:03 am

  The Bajas supple blend of sport and utility is superior. I went from a full size F-150 to the Baja and it has made life so much easier.

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  Best of both worlds - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By echristm - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Subaru has given the consumer the best of both worlds in the new Baja. I can comfortable drive 3 friends around town while hauling something that would not fit in an ordinary car. The mileage is great - 27 mi/gal. The 5 speed is smooth and the Baja drives real tight.

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  Love the Baja !!! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By John D. Ramboz - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought a new Baja in Maine and drove it to Florida. What a fun drive it was. The Baja turns lots of heads and people want to know about it. Either you like it, or you dont. If you do, then you will have lots of fun with it. Very nice "car" on the inside, and a nice "trucklet" on the outside. Try it ... youll like it.

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  whatever - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By import NO-WAY - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Best multi-purpose vehicle out there. Wife and kids love the open bed. Car comfort and truly a road hugging machine. Sporty and nimble

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  Best new compact truck - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By pbranda906 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great alternative to expensive large trucks.If you are a Home Depot goer this is all you need. It feels and rides like a car and has the room you need for those big items you buy you just cant get in a car.

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  Super Subaru - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By RDC913 - December 17 - 7:40 am

  I just got my BAJA Turbo and I love it. All my friends and even my wife have been against the BAJA because of its looks. Personally I love the way it looks. I have never been one to let anyone influence my decisions. Thats why its parked in my driveway now. So far I am very pleased with it and Im very glad I got the Turbo. Its very powerful and the functional hood scoop looks awesome!! The interior is simple but I sold my BMW 325 convertible to get one of these so its a slight adjustment. I snowboard and wanted a vehicle that would do well in the snow. The reviews from other BAJA owners sold me. I cant wait to use it this coming winter. I wish these would come back into production.

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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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  Fun - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Mike - November 4 - 1:30 am

  I wanted new car or pick-up truck, and I was undecided, untill 2006 Subaru Baja. It is everything that I wanted! Drives like a car, and I can pick-up some furniture or other items without paying for deliveries. It is a little bit sluggish, however I was supprised at fuel economy. I am getting around 27 mpg with mixed driving. All I need is cargo cover so I can pick-up kids and go grocery shopping when raining.

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  Consolation prize - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Defo - October 8 - 8:10 pm

  $100 a week on fuel was reason enough to sell my Frontier and acquire a used Baja. Id trade-off the loss of a little pickup and a 6 bed for the all wheel drive/better handling, great standard features (fog lights, power moonroof, ski rack, bed extender, etc.) to save 30% on the gas bill any day! This vehicle is a great downsizing option. Subaru may want to re-think their decision to stop making them before a competitor does.

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  Subaru Baja Turbo - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Chris Larson - October 3 - 9:26 am

  I thoroughly enjoy driving my car. I was very impressed with the power that this car has. Great ground clearance, brakes,and handling. I drive many cars every day, this one got my attention. No mechanical problems whatsoever. Great powerband, very torquey. Steering positive and responsive. I havent had much snow around here, but when there is the car has no problem sensing traction loss. People ask me how I would describe this car; I reply that it looks like an underdog boxer but has one heck of a knock-out punch.