The Subaru Baja ST-X - The New Turbo Pickup You Would Buy Right Now
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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