Subaru Hints At A New Baja: 'There Have Been Discussions'

The Subaru Baja was a short-lived "multiple-choice vehicle" that the company produced from 2003 to 2006. The "car" featured the body of an Outback with a small pickup-truck bed grafted onto the rear—sort of a spiritual successor to the original Brat.

Even though production only lasted four years, the Baja was beloved. Now, with the rise of American "utes" like the Ford Maverick, there's a slim chance the Baja could return to Subaru's lineup. According to CarSales, Subaru Australia may be interested in a Baja revival—and it's the sort of vehicle that could do well down under.

Australia loves its utes, and that's exactly what the Brat is—a truck-ified version of a car. Subaru Australia General Manager Scott Lawrence says, "There have been discussions of a ute... and I can't share much now." It's unlikely that Subaru would try to build a revived Baja on a true truck frame. Instead, Lawrence believes the market is open to truck-like vehicles built to handle the lighter-duty tasks. 

In the US, a new Baja would go up against alternatives like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Honda Ridgeline, and, of course, the Ford Maverick. These are light-duty trucks, which are easy to drive and offer ample capability for their intended buyers.

A revised Subaru Baja would fit into that mix rather neatly. It could also help Subaru bring back a bit of its quirkiness, which has been absent as of late.

Give us a Subaru Baja Wilderness model with power outlets in the bed, and you have a compact overland all-star on your hands. Here's hoping Subaru follows through on a new ute.