2006 Subaru Baja Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This compact SUV is basically a small station wagon with a pickup-truck bed in place of an enclosed cargo area. It has a raised suspension, SUV-flavored styling, and like all Subarus, comes with all-wheel drive and a horizontally opposed engine. Two Baja models are offered; the Sport has a 165-hp 2.5-liter 4-cyl engine, the Turbo a 210-hp turbocharged 2.5. Both come with manual or automatic transmission. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Baja seats four and comes with a bedliner. The wall separating cargo bed from cabin has a panel that folds to create a pass-through beneath the fixed rear window. Roof lights and a bed-extender cage are options. A bed cover is standard on Turbo models with leather upholstery.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute, and Mercury Mariner. Our Recommended picks are Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester.

Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Rav4 are new or significantly redesigned.

News

Contradicting an earlier forecast that contradicted the one before, a reliable source now says Baja will be canned after model-year '06. It had been expected to hang on through 2008.

2006 Subaru Baja Road Test

Pros	Cons

All-wheel drive	Automatic-transmission performance (w/4 cyl)

Cargo room (wagons)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
4	6	4.5

A bit sluggish with nonturbo 4-cyl: expect about 10.5 sec 0-60 mph. Turbo much stronger off the line and delivers fine passing power, though with some turbo lag. In either, automatic transmission slow to downshift for passing.

Fuel Economy

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
5	4	4.9

Test Baja Sport with automatic transmission averaged 21 mpg. Test Turbo with automatic averaged 18.0. Baja Sport uses regular-grade fuel, Turbo requires premium.

Ride Quality

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
6	6	4.7

A more controlled ride than most SUVs--even car-based ones. Not as smooth as some compact cars, however.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
6	6	4.7

More cornering lean than most cars, but Baja handles and stops with far more assurance than the typical SUV. Brakes don't feel especially strong, but provide drama-free stops.

Quietness

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.1

Quieter than any like-priced SUV, and less noise than in typical crew-cab pickup, though test example suffered loud wind whistle in crosswinds. Nonturbo engine somewhat gruff and throbby; turbo smoother. Some coarse-surface tire drone.

Controls

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Basic dashboard design OK, but a few controls are small or hard to find. Visibility hindered by roof styling. Cabin assembly good, but materials, design nothing special, even in leather-equipped top-line Turbo.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.8

Good head and leg room for six-footers, but taller occupants may wish for more rearward seat travel. Comfortable, supportive seats.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4.6

Seats just two, with good head room for those under 6-ft. Leg space tightens as front seats move aft. Entry/exit no strain, but not super easy.

Cargo Room

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
4	4	7.3

Cargo bed only 3.5-ft long, but lengthens to about 5-ft with tailgate and optional bed extender down. Folding rear seat and opening small "Switchback" panel adds another 2 ft, but the pass-through isn't large. Interior offers good small-item storage.

Value within Class

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
5	4	6.3

Baja has less utility than a regular compact pickup, but its versatility, features, and carlike behavior have appeal. Turbo models are pricey for their size, but furnish far better acceleration than Sport versions. With either, you get most of the all-wheel-drive traction of a conventional SUV but with greater fuel efficiency and less unnecessary bulk.

Total Score

Baja Sport, auto.	Baja Turbo, auto.	Class Average
47	47	52.5

Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		29
Average Score		52
High Score		62

2006 Subaru Baja Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/27/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Sport 4-door crew cab	$22,495	$20,981	$625

Turbo 4-door crew cab	$24,595	$22,886	$625

Turbo w/leather 4-door crew cab	$27,495	$25,522	$625

Price note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Subaru of America. Prices may vary in areas served by independent distributors.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Sport

Powertrain

2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, limited-slip differential.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, folding rear seat, bed pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo-box light, rear defogger, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, roof rack, rear privacy glass, fog lights, bedliner, raised suspension, 225/60HR16 white-letter tires, alloy wheels.

Turbo adds to Baja Sport

Powertrain

2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Turbo w/leather adds to Baja Turbo:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 6-way power driver seat, cargo-bed cover.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Popular Equipment Group 1
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$387	$252
Automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, security-system upgrade kit, cargo nets.

Popular Equipment Group 2
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$462	$301
Popular Equipment Group 1 plus universal garage door opener.

Premium Sound Pkg. 2
Sport	$963	$678
In-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded speakers, tweeter, subwoofer, amplifier.

Premium Sound Pkg. 3
Sport	$428	$277
Upgraded speakers, subwoofer, amplifier, tweeter kit.

Active Lifestyle Pkg. 1
Sport	$847	$549
Upgraded sound system, splash-guard kit, bed extender.

Active Lifestyle Pkg. 2
Sport	$1,149	$745
Active Lifestyle Pkg. 1 plus trailer hitch.

Bed Cargo Group
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$313	$203
Bed extender, cargo net.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
Sport	$800	$730
Turbo	$1,000	$911
Turbo includes manual-shift capability.

Comfort and Convenience Features
In-dash 6-disc CD changer
Sport	$535	$401


Turbo-boost gauge
Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$311	$202


Automatic day/night rearview mirror
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$183	$119
Includes compass.

Interior air filter
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$73	$47


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport-activity lights
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$297	$193


Bed extender
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$257	$167


Cargo-bed cover
Sport, Turbo	$519	$354


Security system upgrade kit
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$135	$88


Trailer hitch
Sport, Turbo, Turbo w/leather	$302	$196

2006 Subaru Baja Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Subaru Baja 4-door crew cab

Wheelbase, in.	104.3

Overall Length, in.	193.3

Overall Width, in.	70.1

Overall Height, in.	62.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	3480

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--

Standard Payload, lbs.	1005

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.9

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	38.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.3

Rear Head Room, in.	37.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc H4	Turbocharged dohc H4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /150	2.5 /150

Horsepower @ rpm.	165 @ 5600	210 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	166 @ 4000	235 @ 3600

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	21/27	19/25

4-speed automatic	21/28	18/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Subaru Baja 4-door crew cab

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

< 2006 Subaru Baja Photos

Also in the 2006 Subaru Baja Review:

Subaru Baja

Subaru Baja Road Test

Subaru Baja Prices & Equipment

Subaru Baja Specs & Safety

Subaru Baja Photos

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