2006 Subaru Baja in Hudson, MI - $0

Blending pickup-truck utility with passenger car performance, the Baja is a crossover vehicle based on the automaker's versatile Legacy platform. As a Subaru-capable, active lifestyle vehicle, the Baja combines the positive attributes of a sport-utility vehicle with the handling, ride comfort and fuel efficiency of a passenger car.

Available in Sport and Turbo models, the Baja delivers many of the practical benefits of a four-door compact pickup truck, but with the kind of responsive handling and ride comfort that eludes truck based (body-on-frame) vehicles.

The Baja represents the best of Subaru thinking -- the ground clearance and heavy duty suspension of the Outback, Legacy passenger car underpinnings, four full doors and a unique Switchback system that extends the cargo area. This system provides the ability to reconfigure the rear seating area as well as the cargo bed to meet a variety of needs when transporting people and cargo.

The rear seatbacks flip forward and fold flat to add interior storage, and the Switchback panel between the cargo bed and interior section can be lowered to extend the cargo area length. The combination of lowering the rear seat and Switchback cargo door along with lowering the tailgate and attaching the Subaru bed extender will lengthen the standard 41.5-inch pickup bed to approximately 75 inches.

Power is generated by either a normally-aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder or 2.5L turbo-charged boxer engine and communicated to the ground through the standard five-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed electronic automatic transmission with lockup torque converter is optional.

The Baja offers two types of Subaru All-Wheel Drive technology, depending on which gearbox the customer chooses. The standard five-speed manual is teamed with Continuous All-Wheel Drive using a viscous-coupling center differential while the optional four-speed automatic (4EAT) employs Active All-Wheel Drive, which uses an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch.

On the road, the Subaru Baja delivers performance that is strong, nimble, responsive and flexible -- a joy to drive, a ready-for-anything companion on the road of life. The Baja starts with a four-wheel independent suspension that features MacPherson struts with internal rebound springs, lower L-arms, liquid filled L-arm rear bushings, stabilizer bar and negative-scrub geometry in the front and a multi-link (one upper, two lower and a radius arm per side) suspension with coil springs shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar in the rear.

Inside the cabin, outward visibility is good, with displays and controls easy to read and use. Four adults (two front, two rear) will find the Baja pleasantly accommodating. Although the Baja is ready for anything, it is not void of creature comforts. Standard features include air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, six-way power driver's seat, 80-watt AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and four-speakers, cruise control, remote keyless entry, perforated leather trimmed upholstery, power moonroof, power windows, mirrors and door locks and tilt-adjustable steering column.

Quick vehicle stats

Wheelbase: 104.3; overall length: 193.3; width: 70.1; height: 65.1 -- measurements in inches.

Engine: normally-aspirated -- 165 hp at 5,600 rpm and 166 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm; turbocharged -- 210 hp at 5,600 rpm and 235 lbs-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Transmission: five-speed manual, four-speed electronic automatic with lockup torque converter.

EPA fuel economy: 21 city/27 (manual), 21 city/28 hwy., (automatic); turbo -- 19 city/25 hwy., (manual), 18 city/23 hwy., (automatic).

Towing capacity: 2,400 lbs.

Safety features

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights, fog lamps with stone guards, remote keyless entry, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, limited slip rear axle and automatic headlamp control.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile, limited.

Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile.

Corrosion: 5-year/unlimited.

Pricing

The base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2005 Subaru Baja starts from $22,195 for the Baja Sport and $24,195 for the Baja Turbo. Destination charges add $575.

As tested

2005 Subaru Baja Turbo

Exterior color: Obsidian Black Pearl/Onyx Metallic

Interior color: Gray

Tire make/model: Bridgestone Potenza

Tire size: P225/60R16

Base price $24,195

Destination charge $ 575

Four-speed automatic w/SportShift $ 1,000

Bed extender $ 253

Air filtration $ 65

Auto dimming mirror/compass $ 183

Rubber floor mats $ 55

Total as tested $26,326

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