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If you remember the 1999 Subaru Baja ST-X pickup, you were probably at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Subaru Baja ST-X was a concept vehicle that never made it to production. Subaru did build the Baja in late August of 2002 as a 2003 model, but it was a watered-down version of the Baja ST-X pickup. If Subaru resurrected the Baja ST-X turbo pickup, you would buy it now.
The Baja ST-X concept had a turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer engine, whereas the Baja had a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated Boxer engine. What else set the four-door Baja ST-X (Subaru Truck Xperimental) apart was its extendable cargo bed with a switchback design. It also sported a Solar Flare Orange paint.
The Switchback design
The Baja ST-X had a rear seat that folded forward, and a large rear window opened to the bed of the compact truck. The retractable rear window would slide into and out of a top portion of the rear seatback when the seat was in an upright position. There was also a hinged door between the back end of the passenger cab and the cargo bed.
Imagine a new 2023 Subaru Baja ST-X with a similar design, based on the 2022 Crosstrek compact SUV powered by an FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer would come mated to a close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional Subaru Performance Transmission (CVT) offered in the 2022 WRX.
The 2023 Subaru Baja ST-X would also come with extra ground clearance and dual-function X-Mode for off-road pursuits. The interior would have solar flare orange trim on the seats, dash, and center console like the concept pickup at the LA Auto Show in 2000.
In 2000, Subaru of America pitched the Baja ST-X concept as "the ultimate expression of the Subaru brand essence; fun, freedom, adventure, confidence, and control."
The 2023 Subaru Baja ST-X would likely be a big hit with compact pickup and adventure enthusiasts. The 1999 Subaru Baja ST-X pickup was ahead of its time, but it's now time for Subaru to bring it back.
Would you buy a 2023 Subaru Baja ST-X compact pickup base on the 2022 Crosstrek if Subaru of America offered it this year?
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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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Comments
Have a 2003 baja silver and
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Have a 2003 baja silver and thought it was black but the color has a tint in it. Love it
I'd rather they bring the
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I'd rather they bring the 2door impreza/ 22b and the brat back. Also the Baja was also available with a 2.5t motor it was the Baja xt
Also every thing this Baja
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Also every thing this Baja offered the other ones had. Thos really was a poorly written article with no actual info on what made this different than the standard Baja. Such as bigger turbo injectors forged internals and the spt upgrades
spt intake, intake manifold and exhaust as well as suspension upgrades and the sti transmission.
This article was again piss poor
I’d buy one with the 2.4
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I’d buy one with the 2.4 turbo
I had a 2003 Baja 5 speed.
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I had a 2003 Baja 5 speed. Sold it with 235,000 miles and still kick myself for letting it go. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Yes!!! Being a current owner
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Yes!!! Being a current owner of a Subaru Crosstrek! I would definitely buy a new 2023 Baja if it became available!!! Especially if it offered a higher ground clearance!!!
I would by one today if i
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I would by one today if i could flat tow - 4 wheels on the ground it behind my Motorhome . We Have 2021 Outback Love it but cant be tow because of CVT transmission
If Subaru makes a pickup
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If Subaru makes a pickup again I'll be one of the first in line to get it.
I have a 2005 subaru baja
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I have a 2005 subaru baja turbo having problems getting oil pump from the manufacturer. I'm the second owner and I've had it a little over a yr it a reddish color. I get all kinds of remarks about .They always say boy I'd like to have one of those.
I would by if it was based
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I would by if it was based off the forrester frame and STI motor. Has to a little bigger then Cross Trex and have at least 300hp.....Take my money!
Short answer, yes! I'd love
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Short answer, yes! I'd love to own one baja even an old 2003 in a near future. Like some 80's friends here, it would be nice that Subaru brought back the Brat either with a 2.0 BRZ engine or a 1.8 turbo and the Justy with a 1.5L N/A FWD or a souped up 1.4T AWD to compete with the Yaris GR.
I just reupped for a new
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I just reupped for a new lease on a Forester. I wish that pickup truck was out
I would trade my 2020 outback
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I would trade my 2020 outback xt touring with 12000 miles in a heartbeat if they offered those today.
I Own & Drive a 2006 Subaru
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I Own & Drive a 2006 Subaru Baja Sport [3rd Subaru Owned], it's Driven Daily & Now has 284,000 Miles. Nearest Dealer is Quantrel Subaru in Lexington Kentucky who has made Offers to Trade or Buy every time I have had Routine Service Done. My Response to them has been & will be the same each time to when they have a "New Baja for Sale" I will Consider it, till then I'm more than Happy with my 25 Mpg in Town & 30 + Mpg on Highway. Subaru of America should be Ashamed that they have let Loyal Customers Down & the only thing Close or that I have even Considered is the Santa Cruz.
Yes, I would buy one! But I
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Yes, I would buy one! But I don't need towing power or speed. I need an affordable, economical 4-door AWD mini-truck with a short bed, with excellent gas mileage as it would also be our everyday vehicle. I need the bad to carry stuff you wouldn't want to put inside a station wagon or hatchback, or that couldn't fit inside: dusty bags of concrete, a load of mulch, a small tree or shrub. It would suit me fine if it was based on the Impreza or Crosstrek platform. I had a 2003 Impreza Outback Sport until last year. That car reconfigured as a short-bed mini-truck would be perfect for my needs, perhaps with a hybrid engine.
Would buy in a heart beat if…
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Would buy in a heart beat if came with their 6 cylinder, I have a 2011 outback 3.6 and love the power and towing my boat
Would like an automatic…
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Would like an automatic transmission and pulling capacity 5,000 lbs can it sit higher than the old bajas
I love my outback
It needs to be that high off the ground
The Baja ST-X was a…
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The Baja ST-X was a supercharged 2.5, no turbo. In 04, it released the 2.5 turbo trim based on the 2.5 out of the upcoming Outback XT/Legacy GT.
The Baja should have been built with the H6 in it from the generation shared H6 Outback. I've built one of these for a customer and the process was a simple conversion with a donor and a rear harness merge.
If a new one should be built today, Subaru needs to ditch the CVT. Hands down that will be the number one downfall of any new Baja. They need to develop a new 6 or 8 speed heavy duty automatic transmission like they did with the 5 speed Autos found in the Outback XTs, Legacy GTs, and the Tribeca.
Base it on the Ascent platform, give it some upgraded brakes, throw in the FA24 with driver selectable tuning options based on usage, and you'll have a truck that will rival Toyota and Ford, who are currently dominating the midsized and compact truck market.
The largest problem with this plan is Toyota. Toyota's ownership of Subaru will ensure that Subaru won't compete in that segment. They don't want anything stepping on the toes of the number one selling Tacoma nor the upcoming Stout.
The second problem with this plan is Fuel Economy. The flat motors don't make any respectable MPG numbers unless they're combined with the CVT and detuned. No one will buy a truck with less than 300 hp that can only tow 2500lbs and gets 15mpg
Would buy-in a minute. Have…
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Would buy-in a minute. Have a 2006 now, Love it