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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  Take a chance! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Peter Troost - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I have been very happy with my Baja, but fair warning -- people either love it or hate it. The pickup bed is great for hauling garbage to the dump or throwing in the hockey bag. One drawback, however, is that you cant really drive with the passthrough open in the winter because its cold! The only way to carry long items such as skis in the winter is on the roof. The stereo is garbage. Finally, mine has had a squeak in the back seat somewhere that has been very hard for the dealer to locate and is very annoying. Be sure to test drive the actual car you are going to buy.

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  4th time around - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By UrABus - January 22 - 7:23 pm

  This is my 4th Subaru, my 1st was a GL- 10 loaded 5 speed w/4wh pneumatic air lift shocks 22 mpg. I bought one for each of my kids for safety and dependability, and wanted this vehicle since the BRAT hit the street. Im glad I waited, this is better. 22 mpg. 6 mile commute. 98,000 miles runs like a top. My GL-10 could air lift 3 inches for more ground clearance. A great feature for this one. Air noise, yep, its a truck not a limo. Shift slock between 15 and 20, yep, but it makes up it own mind. AWD yep, but Im not so sure about reverse. Maybe that why it has the hooks on the back. Michigan snow,no problem. Gawkers, yep,its a guy thing. Not a babe magnet. I would buy another one in a minute.

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  Subaru reliability? - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By bratissimo - December 17 - 10:00 am

  The first time it rained the sunroof leaked and had to be replaced. I had it in 3 times for running rough and dying on start up. The dealer said "Subarus are quirky" After 5 months of running poorly check engine light came on, and it was towed to the nearest dealership who found a defective MAP sensor and fouled plug wire. 7 days later it was back on a tow truck in a different state wit the same problem. I spent my vacation getting my car fixed and NOT skiing. I have a 23 year old subaru that is a better car than this. What happened to Subarus legendary quality?

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  Decent car but beware - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Mike - December 11 - 4:03 pm

  Ive had our 2006 Baja for almost four years now. While I do wish it was a Turbo (the car is too heavy for the engine to accelerate at a decent rate), it drives very well and is very predictable in bad weather and conditions. The styling is pretty cool, and the AWD is great when it snows. However, my engine has a head gasket leak. Yep, at 70,000 miles - both heads are leaking oil. Its not a huge issue right now, as the leak is very minor, but still the dealer wants $1500 for it. Same price as the other guy - I wonder if we have the same dealer? Who knows, but its still annoying and therefore I will not recommend Subaru to anyone until I know that this issue is resolved.

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  excellent work truck - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By FL inspectors - August 24 - 1:03 am

  290,000 miles in 5.5 yrs. 90% of the time with a generator and tools in the back. Minimal maintenance, record of 220,000 miles before 1st belt change. AWD with FL rain, wonderful! 24 mpg with full load. Very satisfied. A little worried about inevitable future maintenance due to mileage.

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  Practical but slow - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By HaveFunWithIt - May 31 - 2:33 am

  I am really getting attached to the Baja. Its fun to drive because of its accurate steering and light weight. There is a lot of aluminum on this vehicle (motor heads and block, tranny, differential cover, etc). The bed looks really small, but I fit a full sized dirt bike in it (300cc) with gear bag and tool box. No one believes that it will fit until they see it. And that is WITHOUT folding down the pass through door to the cab. The Baja is the slowest car I have ever driven, though. I have an Isuzu pickup with 2.6L 4 cylinder motor (Baja 2.5L 4 cylinder) with 225k miles on it that is 3 times quicker. And I always considered the Isuzu to be slow. I am not exaggerating one bit about this.

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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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  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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  Baja Turbo - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By Baja Turbo 2 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I like them so much that i bought another after the first one.They could have left off some of the standard items so they could sell them cheaper.Still could use more power.Im planning on buying a 06 if it is built on the new legacy/outback platform and with the flat 6.Its fun to drive especially in the rain.All in all its a great car/truck.

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  A pickup with an auto ride - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By ptdulac - July 25 - 10:00 am

  The best thing is the manuverability. Considering the size it easily wheels around town without a problem. The worst is my choice to leave off the Turbo. If acceleration is not important to you, this truck will be perfect.