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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  Japanese made had better quality - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By illanrob - December 20 - 2:00 am

  My third Subaru a Baja auto has atrocious piston slap after 2kmi. Serviced twice to resolve the loud engine tapping noise during the first 7 min of driving: the timing belt tensioner was replaced 1st, adjusted a 2nd visit. Neither repair worked. Another Subaru dealer mechanic says engine is not normal it needs further investigation. Area Rep Ed Luksic (Georgia Alabama), came drove it and says that it is normal, not a problem, they all have the same condition, his own Baja does the same thing, should last 130kmi or so. The area Rep would have some concern if I can prove that only ONE cyl is causing the problem. Otherwise NO!

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  This truck is a blast - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By Bertag - November 26 - 2:00 am

  My Turbo Baja handles like a sedan, will haul my bicycles or dirt bike and accelerates like a musclecar. The interior is well designed and very comfortable. The five speed was hard to find but well worth the effort. If 80% of the full size truck drivers would admit to themselves that this is all they really need for hauling and off road operation---they would be a lot happier on a daily basis.

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  El Camino to Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By bruce nole - November 19 - 11:50 pm

  After owning a 1985 Chevrolet el Camino with over 450,000 miles, I agreed to sell it to a private party because I knew I replace it with a new Baja. No need to wait for a Turbo model to come out. Not a sports car ... not an off road 4x4 ... but I can get from place to place, good roads and bad in remarkable time. 1st set of tires 78,000 miles. Shocks replaced and clutch. Carries more then you would think it does. Smooth highway driver. Absolutely invisible on the road allowing remarkably low travel time and exceptional mileage ... 25 mpg if I am really moving and can get 30ish within 5 mph of speed limit with cruise control. Any other 4 door pickup do that? I dont think so.

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  Swiss Army Knife of vehicles - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By D J Smith - November 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Baja for about 5 months, so far it has been perfect, no problems at all. I have the non-Turbo four cylinder which I am very happy with. The gas mileage is better than I expected, acceleration is fine. The best feature of the Baja is its versatility. True, it doesnt have a full-size pick-up bed but with the extender I havent missed that. I really like the fact that I can move my kids home from college, have the bed packed full, and still have room for 4 people. Intially I didnt like the two-tone color scheme (red and silver) but now that I have had it for awhile I love it.

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  The little truck that can - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By BajaFan - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I was originally looking to buy a Honda Element for its cargo abilities, but I was really drawn to the look of the Baja. The Baja is extremely comfortable and loaded with features. I drive the vehicle to and from work most of the time, but It holds my family comfortably. For home use, the Baja works great. I can go to the home inprovement center and get everything I need into the Bajas cargo area by using the pass through area. When I need to carry larger loads, I tow a 8x10 trailer with little effort. I love this little truck...and I get more than 20mpg everywhere I go..beat that.

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  Owner, Driver - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By frontierman - October 4 - 10:00 am

  It is agreat little sport UV. Great gas mileage ,excellent ride and handling. Brakes are excellent, reliability is superior to most vehicles.

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  poor seats - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By john burton - September 27 - 10:36 am

  Overall I am pleased with my recent purchase. Seats are my biggest complaint. Poor support, and no padding for the tush. The car I purchased is having some transmission slippage. Have brought it back, and they said to keep an eye on it.

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  Fuel Economy Only Drawback - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Tony Wirz - September 16 - 6:33 pm

  Truck has been very dependable. Good cargo space without being a big hulk of a truck.

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  Our 2nd Baja - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By AWD Only - September 14 - 9:16 pm

  Yes it may be an odd looking vehicle to many people, but theres no denying the utility it provides. Add in the security of Subarus AWD system and reliability and you have a winning combination.

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  BRAT Returns - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By rick byrd - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive had to get used to the sometimes stodgy clutch, but, outside of this, driving is a blast, with surprising power in fourth if you want to test the rpms. Ive had some SUV fans tell me that AWD is not good for off-road, but havent had a chance to test this yet.