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With the EV battle heating up and Subaru Corporation's announcement to build a dedicated EV plant by 2027, is it time for Subaru to bring back the Baja pickup in an all-electric platform? What about a new Solterra-based all-electric compact pickup? We recently showed a Brattera EV compact pickup pictured below, but it may be too small for customers.
Check out a new rendering of an all-new Subaru Solterra Baja EV pickup from our friend Mike Nichoson who designed the new pickup below. We think an all-electric pickup is what Subaru Corporation needs to build for Subaru of America.
photo credit: Mike Nichoson
The small pickup segment is growing in the U.S., and many are available now or will hit the market soon. Subaru was way ahead of the curve with the Baja pickup, but now they are lagging. It's time to resurrect the Baja and use the Solterra platform.
The compact pickup segment is heating up
The all-new Ford Maverick just introduced is already a success; the compact pickup is already sold out for months, and Ford hasn't even started selling the base XL model ($19,995) yet. The Maverick will also come in a hybrid powertrain and should get around 40 mpg in city driving.
photo credit: Subaru Braterra pickup - Mike Nichoson
New EV pickups are on the way
The Rivian R1T is the first purpose-built electric pickup to hit the market, months ahead of the Ford F-150 Lightning. Automotive News reports that Ford is increasing production as it scrambles to meet consumer demand for the new electric truck. The upcoming full-size Chevrolet Silverado EV and Tesla Cybertruck are coming soon.
About the same size as the Ford Maverick, the all-new gas-powered Hyundai Santa Cruz offers another compact pickup in the U.S. that the South Korean automaker will likely convert to an electric model in the near future.
Subaru will be left out of the hot pickup segment if the automaker doesn't act soon, but Subaru Corporation is stepping up its EV plans. Subaru CEO Tomomi Nakamura announced last week that they will add a dedicated in-house EV assembly plant in Japan by 2027. A report from Automotive News (by subscription) says Subaru Corporation will make a multibillion-dollar investment in electrification over the next five years. Check out the complete information here.
Subaru will manufacture new all-electric all-wheel-drive vehicles for U.S. customers and other global markets. Nakamura said they are still contemplating what kind of segment or models the upcoming EVs will be and did not offer a production capacity figure for the new EV production facility. He said they would start small with room to expand over time, the AN report said.
We want to lobby Subaru to build a new Solterra Baja EV pickup for U.S. customers. Would you buy a new 2024 Subaru Solterra all-electric compact pickup if the automaker offered one next year? Let Subaru know what you think in the 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: Mike Nichoson
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Comments
Yes!yes! 1000x yes! My lease
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Yes!yes! 1000x yes! My lease is up next month and there is nothing available so I'm extending it. I want another baja more than anything
I would consider a Baja, but
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I would consider a Baja, but only if it were gas and not electric.
I’d consider a Baja, but only
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In reply to I would consider a Baja, but by Sal (not verified)
I’d consider a Baja, but only if it was fully electric.
My thoughts exactly!! I was
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In reply to I would consider a Baja, but by Sal (not verified)
My thoughts exactly!! I was SO excited to see a re-release of the Baja until I saw it's ev. How disappointing. I love the new body style.
Love the Solterra Baja idea.
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Love the Solterra Baja idea. Used to have a 2003 Baja. Now a 2022 Widerness Outback. Looking forward to these new models.
If the new Baja was priced
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If the new Baja was priced under $30k then I would absolutely trade in my Impreza for one
Yes, I own a 2006 Baja, would
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In reply to If the new Baja was priced by Josh (not verified)
Yes, I own a 2006 Baja, would love a new ev Baja. Can't wait to get one. Especially under 30k.
I would definitely be
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I would definitely be interested in the Subaru Braterra EV pickup if they started selling in the US next year. I have owned a Subaru Outback, and my next vehicle will most likely be an EV. I would hope they can get the ranges closer to the 300 Mile range. If so, I'm very interested.
I own a 2006 Baja Turbo that
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I own a 2006 Baja Turbo that I purchased new. It has 180,000+ miles on it, and it is my daily driver. I will NOT get rid of it, even though I have had multiple offers from people to buy it, until Subaru brings out the replacement for it. I've waited patiently all these years, hoping they would, but they never have. The small truck market is alive and kicking again, and Subaru needs to get back on board immediately with an updated Baja! Electrically-powered is the way vehicles will be, across the board, in the very near future. Dear Subaru... BUILD THIS TRUCK NOW, PLEASE!!!
I own a 2006 Baja Turbo that
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I own a 2006 Baja Turbo that I purchased new. It has 180,000+ miles on it, and it is my daily driver. I will NOT get rid of it, even though I have had multiple offers from people to buy it, until Subaru brings out the replacement for it. I've waited patiently all these years, hoping they would, but they never have. The small truck market is alive and kicking again, and Subaru needs to get back on board immediately with an updated Baja! Electrically-powered is the way vehicles will be, across the board, in the very near future. Dear Subaru... BUILD THIS TRUCK NOW, PLEASE!!!
Subaru please build this
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In reply to I own a 2006 Baja Turbo that by Dale Anderson (not verified)
Subaru please build this pickup. When available zi Will immediately purchase two.
Currently driving my 2nd
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Currently driving my 2nd Crosstrek and previously owned a Baja and an Outback… I would be very interested in a “new Baja”… liking the Braterra size!
Looked at a Santa Cruz before purchasing my new Crosstrek… nice, but too big!
In the car market, Q1 2023.
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In the car market, Q1 2023. Can I get on a waiting list for the Baja EV?
As current 2003 baja owner I
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As current 2003 baja owner I would definitely buy EV version. Perfect form and fuction for needed small pick up market. As long as back seat folds forward to allow pass through of material from bed into cab as my current baja does. That would be deal breaker if not included.
As current 2003 baja owner I
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As current 2003 baja owner I would definitely buy EV version. Perfect form and fuction for needed small pick up market. As long as back seat folds forward to allow pass through of material from bed into cab as my current baja does. That would be deal breaker if not included.
I hope the Baja/BRAT comes
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I hope the Baja/BRAT comes back, but not as an EV. I saw a fan-made rendering of a Baja based on the OB Wilderness, and that's the sort of thing that would be a worth successor of the name (especially if it came with a 6spd manual, but that's a one-in-a-million chance).
I'd buy a Solterra Baja! I'd
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I'd buy a Solterra Baja! I'd love one but not in the USA. I need it in Canada.
Please let me know when I can
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Please let me know when I can sign up to order a Baja Hybrid. Or EV.
Looks.like a fabulous idea !
Im a current Baja owner. I
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Im a current Baja owner. I was planning on buying a Hyundai Santa Cruz in a couple years, so I'd love a modern Baja. I'm not sure about electric though.
I'd consider an ev baja... no
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I'd consider an ev baja... no gas. My baja works but ev with range is next...
YES PLEASE! I was going to
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YES PLEASE! I was going to buy a new crosstrek in 2023 but would much rather wait a year and have this instead. I love my subarus.
They look cute! I would be
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They look cute! I would be interested in a Baja. I have a forester now
I would trade my cross trek
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I would trade my cross trek for a EV truck.
Probably but only if they can
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Probably but only if they can get it's range to 400mi+
I have long felt Hyundai made
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I have long felt Hyundai made a huge tactical error making the Santa Cruz ICE instead BEV, or at least having that option ala Kona.
For Subaru to do this would be brilliant.
Yes , I would like a plug in
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Yes , I would like a plug in model. Is this going to be available also in the near future? I had a 2005 Baja. Very nice car truck cross. I have a 2015 crosstrek now . Looking to update. Let me know when I will be able to replace it with a new Baja. Thanks.
I've been longing for a
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I've been longing for a subcompact electric pickup. Thinking about buying vw's rabbit caddy pick up and make it an electric
Absolutely! Was looking at a
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Absolutely! Was looking at a hybrid Maverick, but where are they?
A hybrid, PHEV or EV Baja would be awesome! My 2011 Outback has worked flawlessly over 170k and still looks like new.
Shame they are going all
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Shame they are going all electric. We don’t have to resources for all electric and plus it gives government more control to track and turn off remotely.
All you sheep pushing electric vehicles are misled where do you think electric is made? With fossil fuels, electric cars and solar panels and wind mills won’t work without natural gas and coal to make parts and generate electric.
We need diversity where applicable and energy independence as well as reconnecting with nature.
In a heartbeat. I’d sell my
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In a heartbeat. I’d sell my GX and start all over