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The New Subaru Baja Wilderness You’ll Want To Play In The Dirt With This Summer

When will Subaru of America offer a new Subaru Baja Wilderness pickup? Here is a rendering that will make outdoor enthusiasts want to play in the dirt this summer.
2024 Subaru Baja Wilderness

What is the one all-wheel-drive Subaru model missing from Subaru of America's lineup? The Subaru Baja pickup is the hot model that would significantly impact U.S. customers this year. The image above from Battle Wagon Gang clearly represents a desirable 2024 Subaru Baja Wilderness trim level. It's what outdoor enthusiasts want and what Subaru of America needs.

It's time for Subaru of America to ask Subaru Corporation to return the Baja pickup to its lineup and build a new compact version for U.S. customers. Which model would be the best for urban and off-pavement adventures? The Japanese automaker could resurrect the Subaru Baja nameplate and should give it the Wilderness upgrades for outdoor and off-road enthusiasts.

2024 Subaru Baja Wilderness
Subaru Baja subcompact pickup - obw.adventures

Of course, the all-new 2024 Subaru Baja pickup would feature the brand's core values of safety, fun-to-drive, all-wheel-drive, fuel-efficient, a low center of gravity, and dual-function X-Mode for all-terrain capability. In addition, the new Baja pickup would be extra rugged and ready to go further off the grid.

Imagine an all-new 2024 Baja Wilderness with a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine producing 260 horsepower. The more rugged Baja trim could lead the segment with extra ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and underbody protection for off-roaders. Subaru wouldn't be able to build them fast enough.

2024 Subaru Baja Wilderness
photo credit: @catchme_outback

Subaru's new dual-function X-Mode system would be a perfect fit and a big hit with customers with active lifestyles who want to go further off-road. Because the Subaru Global Platform provides model flexibility between the Subaru of Indiana Automotive's assembly lines and the Subaru plant in Japan, the pickup truck could be built in the U.S. plant.

It could be manufactured alongside the all-new Crosstrek Sport in Lafayette, Indiana, with a re-tuned 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine for power for standard trim levels. The compact Baja Wilderness would have the 2.4-liter turbo and sit higher off the ground with at least 9.2 inches of rock-clearing ground clearance.

It's time for Subaru of America to offer an all-new 2024 Subaru Baja compact pickup with a Wilderness Edition for its customers in North America and dive into the untapped compact pickup market. Would you buy an all-new Baja pickup with a rugged Wilderness Edition? Leave your comments below.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: main image Battle Wagon Gang

Automotive News
Pickup Trucks
Subaru

Comments

Paul Hagen (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 9:52AM

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Where do I write the check for the down payment? I have an '03 Baja that I just love but I'd buy this in a heartbeat!!

Rich (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 11:44AM

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Looks kinda cool but I won't ever buy a Subaru. I can't recall the name of the dealership in Sioux Falls,SD at the moment but they have commercials on TV that annoy me to no end.
The commercials are excessive AND ridiculous.
Pretty much sours me on ever owning a Subaru. The commercials resemble a PSA. They obviously have money to waste, need tax deductions and/or feel the need to be local celebs or something.

Rex C (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 12:56PM

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I completely agree!!!
I have owned 2 Brats and a Baja. I miss the flexibility and fun driving of a truck. I currently own a Crosstrek but, would go for a truck in a heartbeat. I have seriously considered a Hyundai Santa Fe but that would leave me without a Subie.
I am ready NOW.

Mario A Rupert (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 12:57PM

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We already own the 2022 Outback Wilderness. LOVE IT!!!!

Would we buy a Baja Wilderness??? That's a silly question. Of course!!

Subaru, please bring back the Baja!

William Key (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 2:57PM

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Subaru reviving Frankenstein again? Hey Subaru executives- with so much tech advancement and talented people no facelift to your truck? A costly mistake!

John Martucci (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 3:00PM

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As long as it dosent look like they just put a truck bed on the back of one of their cars. It needs to have its own unique style.

Steven (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 6:28PM

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I had a 2005 Baja and loved it! So capable with just enough power to MPG. Smoothest engine I ever drove. Probably won't return with the boxer engine, but did love everything about that mini truck!

Johnna Goll (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 7:40PM

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I have a Subaru Forester and I love it just wish I could have a truck too. For many reason, hunting and off-road trails namely my driveway which is off road as you can get. Oh this would be such a cool fun ride.

HV Rdz. (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 7:43PM

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Hell yeah! I love Subaru! I have always wanted to buy Subaru but they never made a truck or Van.
It's about time! They also have great dog commercials! Can't wait! Want the off-road model, don't need a large bed. Just big enough to bring home a new water heater, Fridge, Freezer, Washer/Dryer, dishwasher once every few years or so.

Richard Conley (not verified)    February 27, 2023 - 7:44PM

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I would definitely get a Baja Wilderness, take my order now. I've been waiting for Subaru to do something like that since they introduced the Baja (a remake of the Brat).

Jan (not verified)    March 2, 2023 - 1:58PM

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Love the idea of the 2024 Baja. Been looking for a small AWD truck preferably as a plug-in hybrid. Have a Crosstrek hybrid now and don't want to lose my 35 mpg so this would be a no brainer for me.

Tommy P (not verified)    March 3, 2023 - 12:06PM

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Consider the competitive advantage Subaru would have over Ford if they put the CrossTrek hybrid into the Baja: Right now, buyers have to forego all wheel drive if they want a hybrid Maverick. The new Baja hybrid would obviously come with the best all wheel drive platform in the industry.

Paul Oakes (not verified)    March 3, 2023 - 1:52PM

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I actually went to my local dealership to look for the new Baja yesterday March 2, 2023 only to hear from a sales person who told us he did know anything about the Baja being returned to the American market ! He was an extremely rude person and we won't be buying from that dealership anymore. We had purchased an Outback and a Legacy sedan from there before and a Imprezna from another dealer for our son to drive while he was in college in the mountains. It's amazing how one bad apple can ruin a good thing but we know how to drive to another dealer real easy. We are a Subaru family and we look forward to seeing the new jazzed up Baja hit the market! POMO

Alexander (not verified)    March 3, 2023 - 11:53PM

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If they offer it with a manual and turbo, if buy one in a heartbeat. But considering the direction Subaru seems to be heading, I won't hold my breath.

Gary (not verified)    March 4, 2023 - 9:00AM

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I have a Baja and would replace it in a heartbeat, but the new version must have a bed and tailgate that can haul sheet material. If it's not at least 4 get wife, I don't want it.