The 2024 Subaru Baja Isn’t Just a Cruel Joke
We’re still on the fence about forgiving Subaru after tricking us on April Fool’s Day. It posted a 2024 Subaru Baja model on Instagram and shouldn’t play with our emotions like that. After the reactions from that day, the Subaru Baja could be back on the table as a serious Ford Maverick rival.
Yes, it’s true we know next to nothing about an upcoming Baja truck. But at this point there has been enough evidence provided to lead us to believe that is wasn’t just a cruel joke.
Is a new Subaru Baja truck in the works?
It’s possible that a new Subaru Baja model is in the works. However, 2024 feels a bit rushed. At this point, it’s more realistic for the Baja to return in 2025 as a unibody truck with a hybrid engine. This rumor started as an Instagram post as a joke by Subaru, but it could have momentum after fans went wild.
The new Baja will be compact, like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick. Subaru doesn’t typically share information about upcoming models, but there are a few clues to investigate.
For example, Subaru CEO Atsushi Osaki shared that Subaru is planning to increase the electric vehicle lineup from four to eight models by 2028. There are currently seven vehicles in the lineup, leaving room for something brand new.
Plus, Osaki mentions that the interest in EVs is growing at a rapid rate, faster than expected. Most Subaru owners also have a Tesla model, proving that the desire for both green and rugged vehicles exists.
Subaru and Toyota are collaborating on battery electric vehicles and could manufacture them in the United States. Toyota has been testing the waters with electric and hybrid trucks, and fans are going wild about the Toyota Stout making a comeback.
Perhaps the Subaru Baja and Toyota Stout could be manufactured together and share components, similar to the electric Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra.
How much power could the Baja truck have?
There are a few different theories about the new Subaru Baja and its powertrain options. The demand for the Maverick Hybrid indicates that it could be a smart move to build a hybrid model instead of an EV at first.
If the rumors are true about the Toyota Stout starting around $23,000, then the Baja could be affordable as well. Electric battery packs typically cost more than internal combustion engines and hybrid powertrains.
The Ford Maverick is based on the Escape, and the Hyundai Santa Cruz is based on the Tucson. So, it could be easy for Subaru to craft a truck based on the Outback or Crosstrek.
But with the help of Toyota, it could be based on the RAV4 or Corolla instead. The RAV4 Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to generate 219 hp.
It gets an EPA-estimated 38 mpg in the city and up to 40 mpg on the highway. This would be excellent against the Maverick Hybrid, which gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway.
What to Expect with the 2025 Baja
The new Subaru Baja could lean toward the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Instead of leaning toward the boxy off-roading side like the Ford Maverick, the Baja could be fit for rallies and racing across the desert.
The Santa Cruz is alluring with its dual-clutch transmission, smooth performance, and rugged capabilities that helped it compete in the Rebelle Rally twice. Plus, it can tow up to 5,000 lbs and has a lockable, in-bed trunk.
However, the Santa Cruz doesn’t have a hybrid engine yet. Those looking for more off-roading grit could hold out for the possibility of a Subaru Baja Wilderness Edition.
Along with standard AWD, it’s safe to expect all-season tires, a suspension lift, extra off-road modes, roof rails, recovery hooks, skid plates, and a 360-degree trail camera.
We think the Subaru Baja truck is more than just an April Fool’s joke. It’s an opportunity to fight rivals in the gas-powered and electric space. Do you think the Baja would be successful?
