The Subaru Baja was a short-lived “multiple-choice vehicle” that the company produced from 2003 to 2006. The “car” featured the body of an Outback with a small pickup-truck bed grafted onto the rear—sort of a spiritual successor to the original Brat.
Even though production only lasted four years, the Baja was beloved. Now, with the rise of American “utes” like the Ford Maverick, there’s a slim chance the Baja could return to Subaru’s lineup. According to CarSales, Subaru Australia may be interested in a Baja revival—and it’s the sort of vehicle that could do well down under.
Photo by: Subaru
Australia loves its utes, and that’s exactly what the Brat is—a truck-ified version of a car. Subaru Australia General Manager Scott Lawrence says, “There have been discussions of a ute… and I can’t share much now.” It’s unlikely that Subaru would try to build a revived Baja on a true truck frame. Instead, Lawrence believes the market is open to truck-like vehicles built to handle the lighter-duty tasks.
In the US, a new Baja would go up against alternatives like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Honda Ridgeline, and, of course, the Ford Maverick. These are light-duty trucks, which are easy to drive and offer ample capability for their intended buyers.
A revised Subaru Baja would fit into that mix rather neatly. It could also help Subaru bring back a bit of its quirkiness, which has been absent as of late.
Give us a Subaru Baja Wilderness model with power outlets in the bed, and you have a compact overland all-star on your hands. Here’s hoping Subaru follows through on a new ute. And further hoping that we get a crack at it over here in the States.
Motor1’s Take: The Subaru Baja is a product of a time when the automaker was producing all sorts of fun vehicles. Today, the lineup is very good, but not terribly quirky. Part of what makes Subaru so appealing are the quirks of the brand, and a revised Baja would see a return to that idea.
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