2003-2006 Subaru Baja: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

This compact 4-dr pickup bowed for 2003 as an adaptation of Subaru's SUV-flavored Outback wagon. Baja had an open cargo bed at the rear instead of a roofed-in load space, seating for four instead of five, and heavy bodyside cladding designed to impart a more-rugged "off-road" look. The wagon-to-pickup transformation also added 6 inches to overall length. Otherwise, Baja was basically a 4-cyl Outback wagon with the same all-wheel drive, high-riding suspension, and a 2.5-liter engine with horizontally opposed cylinders. The engine's 165 hp was chanelled through a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic with manual-shift capability. Like Chevrolet's big Avalanche, the Baja combined attributes of pickup truck and sport-utility wagon. But unlike most pickups, Baja used unibody construction instead of body-on-frame, so its cargo box was part of the main body structure and not bolted on. That bed was only 3.5-ft long, but an optional flip-out bed extender increased effective box length to 5 ft. For even longer cargo, a standard "Switchback" panel below the rear window could be opened to make a 3-ft by 1-ft pass-through in conjunction with a fold-down back seat. A bed liner was included, as was a roof rack. Baja did not offer front side airbags or curtain side airbags. It did, however, come with antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, limited-slip differential, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Also standard were two-tone leather upholstery, unique interior trim, and 6-way power driver's seat. Roof-mounted "sport activity" lights were available, as was a bed cover. Despite a novel concept with no direct class competition, Baja drew few sales, a big disappointment for Subaru. Sales remained meager despite the addition of a Turbo model for 2004. Evidently, buyers either didn't know what to make of Baja or didn't much care for it-which means used examples will be few and far between.