Like a kaleidoscope, Subaru's diminutive Baja Turbo appears to change depending on the angle from which it's viewed. Eye it head-on and you'd swear you were looking at an Outback (which is no surprise, given that the two share the same platform). Gaze at it from the side or the back, and it's clearly a pickup (albeit a very compact one, with a lower center of gravity than most others in the class). And from the inside, it could pass for any number of sport sedans, with an interior that's more stylish and comfortable than that of the typical pickup. Its looks don't lie; adept at multitasking, the Baja Turbo is designed for the driver who likes his pickup with more than a trace of sedan in its DNA.
The Baja Turbo is the third edition of the Baja to hit the market, following the standard Baja and the Baja Sport (the Sport is the decontented version, with no sport lamps and a lot less leather). The newly introduced pickup is the costliest of the trio; MSRP has not yet been finalized, but Subaru estimates a price tag of about $27,120 — $1,800 more than the cost of a standard Baja. What do you get for the extra coin? Most significantly, you get more power — the Baja Turbo's added zip is its biggest asset relative to its siblings. Both the Baja and the Baja Sport are motivated by a 165-horsepower horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine; the Baja Turbo's turbocharged four is capable of a more bracing 210 hp, and produces 235 pound-feet of torque — 42 percent more than other Baja models. Power is distributed either by a five-speed manual or a new four-speed electronic direct-control automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was equipped with the new automatic transmission; we noted that the upgraded setup generated relatively quick downshifts, unlike other Subaru automatics that we've experienced.
Baja Turbo buyers also get a pumped-up sound system. Those who purchase the standard Baja get a four-speaker, 80-watt stereo with a single-disc CD player; step up to the Baja Turbo, and you get a six-speaker, 100-watt audio system with a six-disc CD changer. Other Turbo-specific features include a black leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, a red-outlined Baja nameplate in back and a menacing-looking scoop on the hood that hints at the turbocharged power lurking beneath.
That turbocharged power made all the difference in the world when it came to our driving impressions. "Having driven the WRX and the WRX STi, I was already convinced that Subaru did a good job with its turbos, but now that I've taken one of the company's heavier turbocharged vehicles out for a spin — that being the Outback-based Baja Turbo — I'm all the more enthusiastic," says one of our editors. "The regular Baja isn't all that exciting to drive, mainly because the naturally aspirated 165-hp, 2.5-liter four isn't all that much power for a 3,500-plus-pound vehicle. In contrast, this one is a lot of fun. Turbo lag is noticeable down low, but as turbocharged engines go, it's not too big of a deal." Notes another editor: "It's not quite a performance car, but it's a lot more fun to drive than most other pickups or SUVs."
We enjoyed piloting the Baja Turbo around town, and were charmed by the throaty rumble that emanated from the engine bay once we stepped on the gas pedal. Maneuvering the truck was a breeze; its bantam dimensions made it easy to zip into and out of parking spaces, with none of the hassle that comes with navigating the more generously sized pickups with which it competes. We also appreciated its tight turning circle (the Baja Turbo turns in 36.7 feet; competitors like the Dodge Dakota and Nissan Frontier get the job done in 41.2 and 47.2 feet, respectively), which had one of our editors remarking that the truck "feels almost as nimble as a small sedan." When pushed on steep blacktops in the Hollywood Hills, the spunky pickup proved itself more than up to the challenge, and never once showed any sign of strain. Not even hairpin curves daunted the Baja Turbo; the pickup hugged corners with little of the body roll and sway exhibited by many of its classmates.
For 2004, all Bajas get revised heavy-duty four-wheel independent suspension that raises ground clearance an inch, to 8.4 inches. We found the new setup to be pleasantly firm, and forgiving. When our travels in the hills brought us in contact with broken pavement, the truck's suspension absorbed the bumps and jolts without transmitting too much unwanted motion to the cabin.
Off-roaders should know that, even with the increase offered by its new suspension, the Baja Turbo's ground clearance still falls a bit shy of the 9-plus inches offered by its truck-based competitors; if boulder-bashing capability is your primary concern, you'd be better served with a truck like the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma. It's also worth mentioning that, at 2,400 pounds, the Baja Turbo doesn't even come close to matching the towing capacity of its classmates, all of which are capable of towing over twice that poundage.
As reported in the full test that we performed on a standard Baja a few months ago, the pickup's unique-looking exterior proves somewhat polarizing. Some of our editors were put off by the truck's overall squatness and angular silhouette. But others found the truck sporty and rugged-looking, and appreciated its can't-miss-it styling.
The Baja Turbo's attractive, comfortable interior had us nodding our heads in unanimous approval. Seats were supportive; one of our editors noted that during a two-hour stint behind the wheel, not once did he suffer back fatigue. With their sporty stitched leather, the seats are also quite handsome to look at. All Bajas benefit from a new climate control faceplate for 2004, and we found the setup in our model intuitive and easy to use. We thought the controls on the vehicle's audio head unit were user-friendly — more user-friendly than those on the standard Baja we tested, due to larger buttons and knobs. The medium-gray metallic trim that graced our truck's cabin (this trim is new in all Bajas for 2004) had an inviting gleam, and served as an eye-pleasing foil to the blacks and dark grays that dominated the interior. There was a fair amount of plastic on the dash, but it was low-gloss and nicely textured. We liked the truck's switchgear (especially those that control the windows); one of our editors remarked that they felt "sturdy and substantive." We also took note of the Baja Turbo's thick, luxurious floor mats; a staffer who piloted the truck while wearing slides commented that the mats felt soft and plush beneath his bare feet.
At 41.5 inches in length, the Baja's cargo bed isn't as long as those of others in its class. However, there's still room to occasionally tote extra-long loads thanks to the truck's Switchback System, which uses a fold-down rear seat and cargo bed pass-through door to extend the length of the cargo area. With a tailgate extender attached and the bed door and rear seat lowered, the truck is capable of transporting objects up to 90 inches in length.
There's a lot to like about the Baja Turbo. It's peppy on the road and fun to drive, and we appreciated the ease with which its compact dimensions accommodated city driving. The Baja's Switchback System also yields a surprising amount of utility, given the vehicle's size. Though figures have not yet been finalized, the truck's price seems slated to fall about midrange relative to similarly equipped compact crew cab pickups. In recent years, SUV manufacturers have developed crossover vehicles aimed to please those who want the aesthetics and functionality of an SUV, and the ride and comfort of a car. The Baja Turbo treads similar ground, and is, in many ways, a "crossover" pickup. If carlike handling and interior comfort are high on your list of must-haves — and the Subaru's diminished cargo bed size relative to the competition isn't an issue — then the Baja Turbo could very well be the truck for you.
The Baja Turbo is the third edition of the Baja to hit the market, following the standard Baja and the Baja Sport (the Sport is the decontented version, with no sport lamps and a lot less leather). The newly introduced pickup is the costliest of the trio; MSRP has not yet been finalized, but Subaru estimates a price tag of about $27,120 — $1,800 more than the cost of a standard Baja. What do you get for the extra coin? Most significantly, you get more power — the Baja Turbo's added zip is its biggest asset relative to its siblings. Both the Baja and the Baja Sport are motivated by a 165-horsepower horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine; the Baja Turbo's turbocharged four is capable of a more bracing 210 hp, and produces 235 pound-feet of torque — 42 percent more than other Baja models. Power is distributed either by a five-speed manual or a new four-speed electronic direct-control automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was equipped with the new automatic transmission; we noted that the upgraded setup generated relatively quick downshifts, unlike other Subaru automatics that we've experienced.
Baja Turbo buyers also get a pumped-up sound system. Those who purchase the standard Baja get a four-speaker, 80-watt stereo with a single-disc CD player; step up to the Baja Turbo, and you get a six-speaker, 100-watt audio system with a six-disc CD changer. Other Turbo-specific features include a black leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, a red-outlined Baja nameplate in back and a menacing-looking scoop on the hood that hints at the turbocharged power lurking beneath.
That turbocharged power made all the difference in the world when it came to our driving impressions. "Having driven the WRX and the WRX STi, I was already convinced that Subaru did a good job with its turbos, but now that I've taken one of the company's heavier turbocharged vehicles out for a spin — that being the Outback-based Baja Turbo — I'm all the more enthusiastic," says one of our editors. "The regular Baja isn't all that exciting to drive, mainly because the naturally aspirated 165-hp, 2.5-liter four isn't all that much power for a 3,500-plus-pound vehicle. In contrast, this one is a lot of fun. Turbo lag is noticeable down low, but as turbocharged engines go, it's not too big of a deal." Notes another editor: "It's not quite a performance car, but it's a lot more fun to drive than most other pickups or SUVs."
We enjoyed piloting the Baja Turbo around town, and were charmed by the throaty rumble that emanated from the engine bay once we stepped on the gas pedal. Maneuvering the truck was a breeze; its bantam dimensions made it easy to zip into and out of parking spaces, with none of the hassle that comes with navigating the more generously sized pickups with which it competes. We also appreciated its tight turning circle (the Baja Turbo turns in 36.7 feet; competitors like the Dodge Dakota and Nissan Frontier get the job done in 41.2 and 47.2 feet, respectively), which had one of our editors remarking that the truck "feels almost as nimble as a small sedan." When pushed on steep blacktops in the Hollywood Hills, the spunky pickup proved itself more than up to the challenge, and never once showed any sign of strain. Not even hairpin curves daunted the Baja Turbo; the pickup hugged corners with little of the body roll and sway exhibited by many of its classmates.
For 2004, all Bajas get revised heavy-duty four-wheel independent suspension that raises ground clearance an inch, to 8.4 inches. We found the new setup to be pleasantly firm, and forgiving. When our travels in the hills brought us in contact with broken pavement, the truck's suspension absorbed the bumps and jolts without transmitting too much unwanted motion to the cabin.
Off-roaders should know that, even with the increase offered by its new suspension, the Baja Turbo's ground clearance still falls a bit shy of the 9-plus inches offered by its truck-based competitors; if boulder-bashing capability is your primary concern, you'd be better served with a truck like the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma. It's also worth mentioning that, at 2,400 pounds, the Baja Turbo doesn't even come close to matching the towing capacity of its classmates, all of which are capable of towing over twice that poundage.
As reported in the full test that we performed on a standard Baja a few months ago, the pickup's unique-looking exterior proves somewhat polarizing. Some of our editors were put off by the truck's overall squatness and angular silhouette. But others found the truck sporty and rugged-looking, and appreciated its can't-miss-it styling.
The Baja Turbo's attractive, comfortable interior had us nodding our heads in unanimous approval. Seats were supportive; one of our editors noted that during a two-hour stint behind the wheel, not once did he suffer back fatigue. With their sporty stitched leather, the seats are also quite handsome to look at. All Bajas benefit from a new climate control faceplate for 2004, and we found the setup in our model intuitive and easy to use. We thought the controls on the vehicle's audio head unit were user-friendly — more user-friendly than those on the standard Baja we tested, due to larger buttons and knobs. The medium-gray metallic trim that graced our truck's cabin (this trim is new in all Bajas for 2004) had an inviting gleam, and served as an eye-pleasing foil to the blacks and dark grays that dominated the interior. There was a fair amount of plastic on the dash, but it was low-gloss and nicely textured. We liked the truck's switchgear (especially those that control the windows); one of our editors remarked that they felt "sturdy and substantive." We also took note of the Baja Turbo's thick, luxurious floor mats; a staffer who piloted the truck while wearing slides commented that the mats felt soft and plush beneath his bare feet.
At 41.5 inches in length, the Baja's cargo bed isn't as long as those of others in its class. However, there's still room to occasionally tote extra-long loads thanks to the truck's Switchback System, which uses a fold-down rear seat and cargo bed pass-through door to extend the length of the cargo area. With a tailgate extender attached and the bed door and rear seat lowered, the truck is capable of transporting objects up to 90 inches in length.
There's a lot to like about the Baja Turbo. It's peppy on the road and fun to drive, and we appreciated the ease with which its compact dimensions accommodated city driving. The Baja's Switchback System also yields a surprising amount of utility, given the vehicle's size. Though figures have not yet been finalized, the truck's price seems slated to fall about midrange relative to similarly equipped compact crew cab pickups. In recent years, SUV manufacturers have developed crossover vehicles aimed to please those who want the aesthetics and functionality of an SUV, and the ride and comfort of a car. The Baja Turbo treads similar ground, and is, in many ways, a "crossover" pickup. If carlike handling and interior comfort are high on your list of must-haves — and the Subaru's diminished cargo bed size relative to the competition isn't an issue — then the Baja Turbo could very well be the truck for you.
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