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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.

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

Comments

Toni Swanson (not verified)    March 4, 2023 - 2:16PM

Yes! I would definitely want to get one of these! I drive a Crosstrek Sport, but would love to try one of these. I've always admired the older models

WilliamAY (not verified)    March 4, 2023 - 3:11PM

I’d love to own the Baja wilderness! Currently have the 2021 crosstrek limited and the only complain I have is not enough trunk space and towing capacity. With this new one that basically has everything I want. Subaru please make it to the North American market!

Jenny Bacon (not verified)    March 5, 2023 - 4:47PM

I still own my 2003 Baja with 170,000 miles. Love it. Used for hauling anything pertaining to gardening including hay bales and rock! And YES I’ve been waiting for another one to come out!

Steve Bator (not verified)    March 5, 2023 - 6:07PM

With its true 4 wheel drive , why is Subaru hesitating on a revised truck for its lineup? It would gain market share if it also offered a larger one based on the Ascent sized platform. At least start with the Baja!

Fred Wingate (not verified)    March 6, 2023 - 7:56PM

I have a 2003 Baja. I need a new car, but there isn't anything else available like it. I would by a new Baja in a minute, if there only was one.

Greggie (not verified)    March 9, 2023 - 7:14PM

I would DEFINITELY BUY A NEW Subaru Turbo Baja. I currently own a 2005 Subie turbo Baja tuned, UEL headers, 3” exhaust, etc. It’s a blast to drive! I also have a 2022 Subie outback XT. Please make this happen Subaru!

Eric Pizarro (not verified)    March 10, 2023 - 3:40PM

As much as I LOVEEEEE my 2021 Crosstrek Sport I would trade it in or just get me one or, be the first one to order one. 6 MT would be preferred but, if it is a CVT I would still buy it. I am on my third CVT including the hated Ascent and have had zero issue with it.

Susan Kempf (not verified)    March 26, 2023 - 11:11AM

In 2003 I purchased a new YELLOW Baja and I’m still driving it. I love it and would happily purchase a new one when they are available. I hope that is soon!!

SD Surfer (not verified)    April 12, 2023 - 2:22PM

Absolutely! Baja Wilderness Hybrid - The only car that can truly do it all. I don't need a turbocharger, I just need the utility of a truck-bed tied with Subaru's Off-Road performance. A little mileage boost with the hybrid wouldn't hurt either :)

William Messinger (not verified)    April 19, 2023 - 2:46PM

Have a Nissan Frontier now eith a 18 month lease, but as soon as you come out with your new pickup I'll be there. We have own at least 7 or 8 Subarus and really love them. Very interested in Honda Ridgeline and am not a off roader person, but would love for a all around homeowner mid-size truck. I'm 77 and love your vehicles. Please keep me updated on your new upcoming truck. Thanks, Bill Messinger.

JUDY FAYE DUNAWAY (not verified)    April 22, 2023 - 7:39PM

Had a baja bought it used and loved it , turbo went out, instead of letting me take it to dealer My husband wanted to save money, it wasn't fixed right and went out again. My Baja was my very favorite vehicle, would love to have one all mine where I would know for sure it was serviced correctly Thank you for that experience

Ronald Chapman (not verified)    May 8, 2023 - 8:40PM

Ohhhhh yaaaaa! So miss the Baja I had for about three years. Son needed money, sold it against my wishes! Would certainly purchase one of those!

Wendy (not verified)    May 21, 2023 - 9:44PM

With 250,000 miles on it, from Pennsylvania to Alaska and back to Pennsylvania, we loved our 2003 Baja!!!! We'd do it again. No troubles. No issues period. Good gas mileage. Just gave it to our daughter as a second car since we don't need it anymore since we have only one driver now. Was nice to see that so many others loved their Baja. Surprised that the price of a used one remained high. Good car/truck.☺

Richard (not verified)    July 26, 2023 - 2:31PM

The brat or Baja would shake up the compact truck industry in the best way. However all these pics are fake and are renderings of a vehicle that doesn't exist.(the one pic is clearly a Santa Cruz on the back end with photo shoppes baja front.

I haven't heard or seen any official word that this vehicle will actually be made as there hasn't been any inclinations that they are actually gonna build this

It's all pipe dream and fantasy.

Maybe Subaru will listen and build this but I have a sinking suspension we won't this for a long long time...

Steve w (not verified)    August 21, 2023 - 6:15PM

We own a 2005 baja. Go it in 2007 had 12,000. Lady traded it in because she did not like gas mileage. We love it. Very good in snow. We have no problems at all with it. Just reg. Maintenance. Had new head gaskets and valve cover gaskets put in motor at 85,000. We know have 124,000 mile and running great. It still looks brand new. Paints great on it. I would buy another one.

G. Suthon (not verified)    August 29, 2023 - 10:10PM

I’m in the market for a new vehicle with higher ground clearance than my current vehicle. I’m looking at a crosstrek but would love to have a Baja wilderness edition to play in the forest and mountains with.

matt bright (not verified)    December 18, 2023 - 8:45PM

I will only buy it if it comes in the 4 door two seater edition shown at the top of the page.
Someone really needs to check the photoshop on these before posting them.
A bed with a door in the side. what will they think of next.

RICK CALL,,,HAYS,KS (not verified)    March 14, 2024 - 6:20PM

THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE BUILT OFF THE OUTBACK WAGON SO THAT BED STORAGE WOULD BE BETTER,,,I HAD A 2003 BAJA FOR 17 YRS(NOW OUR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER'S CAR) i WOULD LIKE THE LARGER FRAME OF THE OUTBACK FOR THE EXTRA SPACE

John E Miller (not verified)    March 25, 2024 - 2:44PM

Recently bought a 2023 Subaru Forester Sport . Have been a loyal Toyota Camry owner for years. Needed an SUV and found the Forester Sport - now my wife's car. She loves it, and the few times she allows me to drive it, I love it. So ... would love to trade in my perfectly OK 2010 Toyota Tacoma pickup for a new Subaru Baja Sport . I would hope it would look and drive just like our Forester Sport but have a pickup bed in the back. Put me on the list.