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2003
Subaru Baja

Starts at:
$21,995
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New 2003 Subaru Baja
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sport Manual
    Starts at
    $21,995
    20 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    N/A
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sport Auto
    Starts at
    $22,795
    21 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    N/A
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 4dr Manual
    Starts at
    $23,995
    20 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    N/A
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 4dr Auto
    Starts at
    $24,795
    21 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 4-Cyl
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    N/A
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs

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Expert 2003 Subaru Baja review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Subaru Baja fills yet another niche that no one knew existed: a compact four-door pickup that drives like a car.

Here’s the modern equivalent of the iconoclastic Subaru Brat from 1977, back in the days when the Japanese automaker was struggling for identity. The Brat was quirky and unique and cute as a koala.

Today, Subaru has made major inroads with its all-wheel-drive line of small and midsize sedans, wagons and the truck-like Forester. They all drive well with a reputation for bulletproof reliability.

And the Baja is, well, a lot more practical than the Brat. It has four doors and a usable front and back seat, plus a pickup bed that extends to a bit more than 5 feet with a “Switchback” passage into the cab that extends another 30 inches or so.

But the Baja falls flat on appearance.

A genuinely nice-driving car, it’s saddled with one of the dorkiest looks ever, a yellow and silver nerdmobile set off by a pair of ridiculous driving lights on the roof rack that, from the rear, look like Mickey Mouse ears.

Where Brat was cute, Baja is goofy. It’s long and loopy, neither car nor truck, with absurd silver plastic lower body cladding, the kind of stuff jettisoned by most other automakers as hopelessly tacky.

It’s too bad, too, because other than its styling, the Baja is such a nice vehicle. Similar in execution to the bigger Ford Sport Trac and much bigger Chevrolet Avalanche, Baja takes the basis of a sport utility and adds a small pickup bed for those times when you just have to have a truck. With its tubular bed extender that goes out on the pickup bed (a familiar feature in today’s small pickups) the Baja was able to carry three mountain bikes. And it looked pretty sporty doing so.

The removable panel in the back of the cabin allows long objects to jut through, similar to the Avalanche but not nearly as versatile.

The pickup bed has much appeal, but don’t expect to carry too much cargo. With the extender and passageway closed, the bed is just 3 1/2 feet long, too small for much more than a week’s worth of groceries. Smartly, it’s lined with plastic to prevent damage from such things as a (small) load of rocks.

One of the oddest features is the pair of large driving lights on the roof, such as a hard-core Jeep driver might install for nighttime forays into the backcountry.

Problem is, the Baja is not a tough four-wheel drive but a car-like all-wheel drive, great on snow and dirt roads, not so great on boulder-strewn Jeep trails. In other words, the lights are kind of pretentious.

Even more oddly, the lights can be lit only by pulling up on the parking brake. What sense does that make?

Incongruously, the interior of the test Baja was fairly conservative in muted grays and blacks, with none of the fun-time excesses of the exterior. Driving the Baja, it’s easy to picture oneself in a conservative sedan rather than an extroverted runabout. The inconsistency is weird and disconcerting.

Powered by Subaru’s usual “flat” four, delivering a smooth 165 horsepower, the Baja feels lively and quick, although it would be nice if Subaru offered its strong, 3-liter six as an option. The tester came with automatic; a five-speed is standard.

The Baja comes just one way: fully loaded, including sunroof, leather seating, 16-inch alloy wheels, stereo with CD, power driver’s seat, cruise control, keyless entry and bed liner, at its base price of $23,995 for stickshift, $24,795 for automatic. Shipping tacks on $525.

Baja is a versatile little critter at a moderate price. Too bad it looks so strange.

Subaru Baja

Vehicle type: Four-passenger, four-door pickup, all-wheel drive.

Base price: $24,795.

Price as tested: $25,320.

Engine: 2.5-liter flat six, 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, 166 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 104.3 inches.

Curb weight: 3 pounds.

EPA mileage: 21 city, 26 highway.

Highs:

-Compact versatility.

-Overall driveability.

-All features standard.

Lows:

-Awkward styling.

-Subdued interior.

-Those roof-mounted lights.

2003 Subaru Baja review: Our expert's take
By

Subaru Baja fills yet another niche that no one knew existed: a compact four-door pickup that drives like a car.

Here’s the modern equivalent of the iconoclastic Subaru Brat from 1977, back in the days when the Japanese automaker was struggling for identity. The Brat was quirky and unique and cute as a koala.

Today, Subaru has made major inroads with its all-wheel-drive line of small and midsize sedans, wagons and the truck-like Forester. They all drive well with a reputation for bulletproof reliability.

And the Baja is, well, a lot more practical than the Brat. It has four doors and a usable front and back seat, plus a pickup bed that extends to a bit more than 5 feet with a “Switchback” passage into the cab that extends another 30 inches or so.

But the Baja falls flat on appearance.

A genuinely nice-driving car, it’s saddled with one of the dorkiest looks ever, a yellow and silver nerdmobile set off by a pair of ridiculous driving lights on the roof rack that, from the rear, look like Mickey Mouse ears.

Where Brat was cute, Baja is goofy. It’s long and loopy, neither car nor truck, with absurd silver plastic lower body cladding, the kind of stuff jettisoned by most other automakers as hopelessly tacky.

It’s too bad, too, because other than its styling, the Baja is such a nice vehicle. Similar in execution to the bigger Ford Sport Trac and much bigger Chevrolet Avalanche, Baja takes the basis of a sport utility and adds a small pickup bed for those times when you just have to have a truck. With its tubular bed extender that goes out on the pickup bed (a familiar feature in today’s small pickups) the Baja was able to carry three mountain bikes. And it looked pretty sporty doing so.

The removable panel in the back of the cabin allows long objects to jut through, similar to the Avalanche but not nearly as versatile.

The pickup bed has much appeal, but don’t expect to carry too much cargo. With the extender and passageway closed, the bed is just 3 1/2 feet long, too small for much more than a week’s worth of groceries. Smartly, it’s lined with plastic to prevent damage from such things as a (small) load of rocks.

One of the oddest features is the pair of large driving lights on the roof, such as a hard-core Jeep driver might install for nighttime forays into the backcountry.

Problem is, the Baja is not a tough four-wheel drive but a car-like all-wheel drive, great on snow and dirt roads, not so great on boulder-strewn Jeep trails. In other words, the lights are kind of pretentious.

Even more oddly, the lights can be lit only by pulling up on the parking brake. What sense does that make?

Incongruously, the interior of the test Baja was fairly conservative in muted grays and blacks, with none of the fun-time excesses of the exterior. Driving the Baja, it’s easy to picture oneself in a conservative sedan rather than an extroverted runabout. The inconsistency is weird and disconcerting.

Powered by Subaru’s usual “flat” four, delivering a smooth 165 horsepower, the Baja feels lively and quick, although it would be nice if Subaru offered its strong, 3-liter six as an option. The tester came with automatic; a five-speed is standard.

The Baja comes just one way: fully loaded, including sunroof, leather seating, 16-inch alloy wheels, stereo with CD, power driver’s seat, cruise control, keyless entry and bed liner, at its base price of $23,995 for stickshift, $24,795 for automatic. Shipping tacks on $525.

Baja is a versatile little critter at a moderate price. Too bad it looks so strange.

Subaru Baja

Vehicle type: Four-passenger, four-door pickup, all-wheel drive.

Base price: $24,795.

Price as tested: $25,320.

Engine: 2.5-liter flat six, 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, 166 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 104.3 inches.

Curb weight: 3 pounds.

EPA mileage: 21 city, 26 highway.

Highs:

-Compact versatility.

-Overall driveability.

-All features standard.

Lows:

-Awkward styling.

-Subdued interior.

-Those roof-mounted lights.

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 years / 80,000 miles
Basic
Coverage available for purchase
Dealer certification
152-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.6 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.3
Interior 4.2
Performance 4.1
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.2
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • I have a 2003 Baja - bought and maintained its whole life

    I have a 2003 Baja - bought and maintained its whole life by Stivers Dealership. Most amazing car ever made and I’ll keep it til it dies!! Only has 107k miles. Great in snow and/or rain - preferred its safety over my Rubicon. It’s not depreciating in my book!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • She still going.

    Own this since 2009 had 80000 on it. With regular maintenance and recommended timing gear replacement and a few other thing typical to wear and tear I now have 243000 miles no rust and still runs great drive everyday. Told the wife I’ll never buy another car I love my Subaru Baja.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • No regrets, still proud to drive it around today!

    I bought my Baja in 2003. I now have about 130,000 miles on it and have never had any major problems with it. Yes I've had to.replace a water pump, an alternator, and the spark plugs (once). I've used synthetic oil since day one and only had it tuned up twice. The last tuneup was really because I didn't think it was running quiet right, so I asked for the plugs to be replaced. Mechanic said they didn't need to be replaced, but I insisted. He was right. It is in need of a paint job, but I think it is still one of the best looking cars on the road today and I think it rides as comfortably as it did when purchased. Still proud to drive it!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    17 people out of 17 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great car sorry they don’t make anymore.

    The car is half car half truck. Very very hard to find one, people who bought them hang on to them for a long time. Parts are well within budget and are easy to find, so maintenance is a breeze.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    24 people out of 25 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • This is a one-of-kind car/truck/suv.....

    I bought a 2003(first year edition) while stationed in Hawaii...what a good value! To date-2000, it's still running strong at 240,000 miles. I changed the air flow intake early on a short ram intake, gave the 2.5 non-turbo engine much needed power and acceleration. Changed the stock muffler to flow-master exhaust...love the throaty sound of the boxer engine. As for general maintenance...brakes, oil changes, shocks/struts, radiator, tires, battery and that's it! Alternator, starter, rack and pinion, no electrical, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, air conditioning, or cabin problems...buy one...and you won't ever sell it!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    16 people out of 16 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Salvage vehicle

    Correcting a lot of deficiencies including leaking head gaskets this has become the ultimate lemon of all the vehicles I have ever purchased. This car was poorly maintained if it was maintained at all.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    11 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Small but mighty pickup truck!

    The best car I ever had (so far). Drives like a car, carries a load like a truck! Sleek design! For such an old model it has some features that you don't get in newer cars unless you pay extra money!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Best well rounded vehicle, even in 2019.

    I own the yellow 2003 5spd subaru baja. I have owned it now 6 years and 100k miles. And literally the only things I've had to do to it is just routine maintenance and had to have the bearings replaced in the transmission about 30k ago when writing this. Car now has close too 300k and it still drives like brand new, granted I take very good care of this thing. For anyone who wonders about towing. And the main reason for my comment. It is capable of towing a 6x12 tralier with an 1300lb side by side and another quad at about 300lbs. Full of fuel and camping gear. Granted trying to go freeway speeds of 70-75 mph wont be an option unless you're really pushing it. It was comfortable at 65mph 5th gear. Passing gear or going up the pass was a 3rd-4th gear climb. Towards the top of the pass I took was 8%. Coming down was comfortable in 4th gear just cruising never really having to touch the breaks. Wasn't great on gas only going 190miles before i had to fuel up again. I avg 32.5 empty so, ouch. So, if you can get one buy it up. I routinely take it to the oregon coast from north idaho. Shes rust free even with a quarter million miles on it. Fits my family of only just 3 very nicely. But the main take away is it can tow your toys comfortably.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Certainly the quirkiest Subaru I've owned so far

    This is the 5th Subaru, and 28th vehicle I've owned over all. I've always been impressed with the Subaru's. Whether it be their AWD capabilities or design features. Never the best looking vehicles, but certainly the most capable and thought worthy designs.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Good Car

    Good Car,It's a Subaru.Car. Truck.Want another Baja for a second vehicle.With or without turbo.V6 would be nice if they made them.Family all have had Subies.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Fun car for an aging boomer

    This car is snazzy looking, a kick to drive and makes me feel thirty years younger. It's quite an ambitious vehicle, what with cup holders and a console in the back seat and all. It's an AWD five speed and a small truck bed great for hauling camping gear and coolers.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very reliable vehicle

    Great car, excellent gas mileage, can be used like a little truck with its bed extender and with AWD you never have to worry about getting stuck in the snow.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2003 Subaru Baja?

The 2003 Subaru Baja is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (2 styles)
  • Sport (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Subaru Baja?

The 2003 Subaru Baja offers up to 20 MPG in city driving and 25 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2003 Subaru Baja?

The 2003 Subaru Baja compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2003 Subaru Baja reliable?

The 2003 Subaru Baja has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Subaru Baja owners.

Is the 2003 Subaru Baja a good Truck?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Subaru Baja. 96.4% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.3
  • Interior: 4.2
  • Performance: 4.1
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.2
  • Reliability: 4.7
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