2003 Subaru Baja Review
SEE ALSO: Subaru Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Subarus have always been a little different from other cars. While the company has an enviable reputation for making sturdy, practical cars, it has also made machinery that, while undeniably functional, have been a little offbeat, to say the least - cars to make people smile. The most shining example was the Brat, made between 1978 and 1987. ``Brat'' was an acronym for ``Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transportation'', and the Brat was a small-size cross between a pickup and a car. The idea was not new with Subaru, as the Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero had pioneered that niche, albeit on a larger scale, twenty years earlier and there were several other similar vehicles contemporary with the Brat. But the Brat took the concept to new heights, with available four-wheel drive and adjustable ground clearance (courtesy of a wrench and manual labor, no fancy electronics in those days!) Later versions also achieved notoriety from their passenger accommodations - two plastic chairs facing backwards in the bed. Perhaps the Brat was ahead of its time. Subaru tested the waters again a couple of years ago with the STX concept vehicle. An Outback-based cross between a car and mini-pickup, the STX differed from anything previous in that it was a full four-seater, with four doors. The cargo bed was short, but a movable partition in the rear bulkhead allowed longer items to be stored partially inside of the vehicle. As concept vehicles are wont to do these days, the STX has reached production as the Baja, a decidedly different variation on the Outback theme. I've been driving a Baja for the past week, and have been the center of attention wherever I've gone. It's not just the signature bright yellow color that attracts attention and smiles (other colors are available). Its look and shape are unique. Unlike a monster-size SUV, it's not threatening. It's also comfortable and practical, and a functional vehicle for bicycling, camping, hiking, fishing, climbing, surfing, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The ``Switchback'' panel in the rear bulkhead allows long items to be carried, and a 2400-lb towing ability means that motorcycles or personal watercraft or whatever that don't fit in the cargo area can go on a trailer. APPEARANCE: There will be no mistaking a Baja for anything else, even if there was any other vehicle remotely like it. It's definitely a Subaru, with the pug-nosed look, upside-down trapezoidal grille, faired-in headlamps, and lower cladding with inset foglamps from an Outback. But the body shape is unique. In proportion, it's closer to the crew-cab compact pickups or truck- bed SUVs of today than the El Caminos, Rancheros, or, yes, Brats of the past with its large four-door cabin and relatively short rear bed. The tubular flying buttresses and roof rack-mounted lights help with the off-road look, as does the bed extender. COMFORT: The proportions don't lie. The Baja has good room for four people - inside. This is not a Brat. Interior appointment is first class. The driver and front passenger get supportive and comfortable perforated leather buckets with the ``Baja'' logo embossed into the headrests, with a similar contoured bench in the rear. Driving is one of the sports supported by the Baja, and the driver is treated to a good instrument panel layout and good relationship between the steering wheel and shift lever. There is no center rear position, that space is taken by a useful console. The rear cushion flips up and the back folds forward for extra interior cargo space, or to allow long items to fit through the 30 x 12-inch ``Switchback'' door. Trunk space is...think of the Baja as a wagon with really good cargo area headroom. And more. The cargo area is 39 inches between the wheel housings, or 49 on the floor. In normal configuration, with the tailgate up, it's 41 inches long. Put the tailgate down, carefully extending the rear license plate for visibility and legality, and it's about 60 inches from the rear bulkhead to the inside of the bed extender. Open the Switchback, and items up to 77 inches long can fit. Bicycles work with the front wheel removed, and snowboards or short surfboards should be no problem. Remember, though, that with the Switchback open, the interior is open to the air. That can be nice at the beach in summer, but maybe not so great on the ski slopes in winter (although the heater works very well.) For large and heavy things, use the trailer hitch. The lined cargo area is the perfect place to keep wet and/or dirty clothing and equipment that could make the trip home unpleasant if stored inside. SAFETY: ``Active Driving / Active Safety'' is Subaru's philosophy on the subject, and so the Baja's design incorporates good visibility, handling, and braking for active safety and a strong passenger cabin with front, side, and rear protection, three-point safety belts for all occupants, and optimized air bags. ROADABILITY: On the road, the Baja feels like a Subaru, not a pickup. There is no hint of rear-end lightness, and it takes corners with a tenacious, flat, stable attitude that makes it much more enjoyable than any truck. Subaru's rigid chassis, low center of gravity thanks in part to the boxer engine, and four wheel independent suspension do their job, and do it well. And, as with all Subarus, all-wheel drive ensures optimum traction at all times, in all conditions. Seven inches of clearance gives some protection against road debris, and semi-improved forest service roads and fire trails should pose no major problems. PERFORMANCE: With a 3500-lb curb weight and the Subaru 2.5- liter boxer four making 165 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm, the Baja won't be challenging WRXes to drag races. But it's quick enough to be fun, and easy to drive thanks to the engine's broad torque curve. The standard five-speed gearbox has smooth shift linkage and is the best choice for optimum performance; the wider ratios of the four-speed automatic do affect acceleration. Towing capacity is rated at 2,400 lbs, so don't worry about motorcycles or personal watercraft not fitting in the back, trailers are much easier on your back. CONCLUSIONS: An interesting concept brought to life, the Subaru Baja can provide fun and transportation for many different activities. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Subaru Baja Base Price $ 23,995 Price As Tested $ 24,915 Engine Type horizontally-opposed single overhead cam 4-cylinder Engine Size 2.5 liters / 150 cu. in. Horsepower 165 @ 5600 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 166 @ 4000 rpm Transmission 5-speed manual Wheelbase / Length 104.3 in. / 193.3 in. Curb Weight 3485 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 21.1 Fuel Capacity 16.9 gal. Fuel Requirement 87-octane unleaded regular gasoline Tires P225/60 HR16 Bridgestone Potenza RE92 Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc, antilock standard Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent multilink Ground Clearance 7.3 inches Drivetrain front engine, all-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 20 / 25 / 22 0 to 60 mph est. 10 sec Towing Capacity 2,400 lbs Coefficient of Drag (cd) 0.36 OPTIONS AND CHARGES Premium sound package 3 - includes: speaker upgrade, tweeter kit, subwoofer and amplifier, regularly $ 573, special $ 395 Destination charge $ 525