2003 Subaru Baja Review
2003 Subaru Baja Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+50
Used Baja for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Comfortable ride, stable handling, decent fuel mileage, multiple configurations, unlikely to be lost in a parking lot.
Cons
- Midgate's glass isn't removable, limited towing and hauling capability.
What’s new
The Baja is all new for 2003. It's similar to the Subaru Outback, but it has an open cargo bed. Certainly a niche vehicle, it should appeal to people with active lifestyles, especially those who ski or surf.
Edmunds says
An interesting car-and-pickup blend that comes up a bit short in outright functionality.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Subaru Baja Sport AWD 4dr Crew Cab (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$207/mo for Baja Sport
Baja Sport
vs
$233/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
In automotive-speak, the term crossover has tended to apply primarily to vehicles that blend positive SUV attributes with passenger-car handling and comfort. It makes sense that manufacturers would try to find a new way of packaging SUV-style functionality; the Ford Explorer was, after all, the third best-selling vehicle last year. But the two top-selling vehicles in the nation last year were pickups (the Ford F-Series and the Chevy Silverado, numbers 1 and 2, respectively), which begs the question: Are pickups next in line to be bitten by the crossover bug? Those with their ear to the ground know that vehicles such as the Chevy Avalanche (which mates a Suburban's passenger room with a covered, expandable pickup bed) have already illustrated that the answer to this question is yes. Now Subaru gives us its spry Baja, which, the company claims, blends pickup-truck ruggedness with the responsive handling and ride comfort of a passenger car.
Subaru has covered similar territory before. The manufacturer touts its Outback wagon as the first sport-utility wagon, and indeed, the vehicle part SUV and part passenger car played a part in initiating the current crossover trend.
The Baja is based on the Legacy platform. The front fascia is strikingly similar to the Outback's; both are dominated by a prominent bumper with integrated foglights and feature Subaru-style angled headlamps. The two vehicles also share large foldable body-color mirrors, pumped-up front fenders and pervasive lower-body cladding. The Baja does, however, feature exclusive Silver Stone-hued cladding, and a Silver Stone monochromatic model with matching body and bumper color is available.
Lead an outdoorsy, go-anywhere, do-anything sort of lifestyle? If you do, you'll find that the Baja was designed with your needs in mind. Its pickup bed is expandable (it may be lengthened to nearly 7.5 feet); Subaru's "Switchback" panel allows for the reconfiguration of the rear seating area and cargo bed, granting a high level of versatility in the transportation of both people and cargo. An integrated bed liner minimizes wear and tear and simplifies cleaning; bed sport bars, a bed light and four tie-down hooks serve to enhance functionality further. Roof rails and crossbars are standard, and attachments for skis, kayaks and snowboards will be available.
Since it's a crossover, the Baja's free-spirited, adventurous nature doesn't compromise comfort, according to Subaru. The Baja easily seats four, and a bevy of standard features is offered, including a keyless entry system; perforated leather-trimmed upholstery; power windows, mirrors and door locks; and a six-way power driver seat.
The Baja is powered by a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (the same as is found in the Outback) that generates 165 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque; Subaru boasts that the engine offers a winning blend of performance and fuel efficiency. Two types of Subaru All-Wheel-Drive technology are offered. The standard five-speed manual tranny comes equipped with Continuous All-Wheel Drive, which utilizes a viscous coupling center differential. The four-speed automatic tranny features Active All-Wheel Drive, which uses an electronically managed variable transfer clutch.
Versatility is a top priority for many consumers, and the Baja seems to be designed to satisfy that requirement easily. So, for all you kayakers/snowboarders/camping enthusiasts: This one could be for you.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Subaru Baja.
5 star(79%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(2%)
101 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car I've Owned
John V., 08/20/2015
2003 Subaru Baja Sport AWD 4dr Crew Cab (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
I dislike reviews of this vehicle/truck hybrid that say it is limited in functionality. If one needs to haul drywall, then get a truck. The Baja is an amazing vehicle with no problems after 12 years and 90,000 miles. It's fun to drive and looks great. I get offers to buy my car all the time, even though it is not for sale. My wife encouraged me to treat myself to a new car. I won't … trade this Subaru in for even a Mercedes. I owned a business for 10+ years and this was the perfect vehicle to take the kids back and forth while hauling boxes and landscaping equipment in the back. The Baja is a collector's car. I own the yellow, which is sporty and fun. Oh yeah, other drivers can't miss seeing it.
5 out of 5 stars
A serviceable multi purpose stylish truck
Debora in Augusta, 01/22/2017
2003 Subaru Baja Sport AWD 4dr Crew Cab (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
I adore this Japanese ElCamino and hope Subaru will make another one soon. . The bed height is perfect for loading wood, groceries, mulch and Christmas trees... and the back seat lies flat for transporting pets. Downside is the quality of the exterior materials...Seems like something is always getting loose or falling off. ... but I can’t wait for my next one.
3.63 out of 5 stars
I wish I had your Baja :(
kch5, 12/19/2010
2003 Subaru Baja Sport AWD 4dr Crew Cab (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
90k miles M/T.
If only the engine reliability was as great as the ride.
Consistent 1Qt oil consumed per 1k miles driven since got at 60k (and I'm assured by Subaru this is normal and not to worry about it, just fill it up every third gas fill up, no problem).
Both head gaskets just blew, along with failed battery and failed water thermostat.
To repair all problems, we're talking new … battery, head gaskets, thermostat, new piston rings or short block replacement=$5500 at dealer (about equal to trade in value), which means good-bye or home rebuild.
Heartbroken trying to find a non-Subaru manual AWD replacement.
5 out of 5 stars
versatile communter
Fredd, 09/19/2015
2003 Subaru Baja Sport AWD 4dr Crew Cab (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
Engine gaskets and CV boots only real issues over 12 years. I have taken it cross country (Wash to Maine), non turbo struggles up hills at higher altitudes (Idaho, Montana), gearing is great for best gas mileage @ 65 mph, drops considerably when up at 75 mph handles rain or snow with aplomb. Subaru need to update design and make a newer model within the next few years so I can buy my … final BAJA
2003 Baja Highlights
Sport
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,995 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $207/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 2,400 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2003 Subaru Baja info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota Prius v 2015
- Used Scion XB 2012
- Used Volkswagen GTI 2012
- Used Toyota Land Cruiser 2016
- Used Toyota Corolla Hatchback 2020
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- BMW 4 Series 440I Gran Coupe
- 02 Lexus Es300
- 2023 Chevrolet Equinox
- Hyundai Elantra 2023
- 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- Nissan Truck 2024
- 2025 Honda Accord News
- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric
- 2025 Chevrolet Corvette News
- 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Research other models of Subaru
- Subaru WRX Cars
- BRZ Car
- 2023 Subaru Forester
- 2023Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Subaru Forester
- Subaru XV Crosstrek 2023
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru Outback Wilderness
- Subaru Outback 2023
Research similar vehicles
- 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- 2023 Dodge RAM 250
- 2023 Silverado 2500HD
- 2023 GMC Sonoma
- 2024 Ram Pickup 2500
- 2023 Ranger
- Ram 1500 Classic
- GMC 3500
- 2023 Toyota T100
- 2023 F-250 Super Duty
Other models
- Used GMC Yukon-Hybrid in Minot, ND
- New Volvo XC90 for Sale in Palatka, FL
- New BMW 7-Series for Sale in Champaign, IL
- Used Ford Explorer-Sport-Trac in Meridian, ID
- New Ford F-250-Super-Duty for Sale in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Used BMW Activehybrid-7 in Anderson, IN
- Used Oldsmobile Cutlass in Euless, TX
- New Chrysler Pacifica for Sale in Basking Ridge, NJ
- Used Mclaren Senna in Flemington, NJ
- Used Cadillac Escalade-Ext in Redding, CA