How long is the Subaru Baja truck bed?
The bed is about 50 inches long, roughly four feet two inches, giving a compact pickup-like space on a wagon-based vehicle.
The Subaru Baja, produced for model years 2003 and 2004, blended a car-like chassis with a small cargo bed. The bed length is measured from the inside face of the tailgate to the rear bulkhead and is generally consistent across early Baja trims. In practice, the usable floor length is shorter because the wheel arches intrude into the cargo area, and features such as bed liners or tonneau covers can affect the exact usable space for a given load.
Bed length: measurement and context
Key figures you should know about the Baja's bed are summarized below. Note that figures are approximate and can vary slightly by model year and trim.
- Official cargo bed length: about 50 inches (approximately 4 feet 2 inches) from the inside face of the tailgate to the bulkhead.
- Usable floor length (between wheel arches): roughly 46 inches, with real-world space sometimes a bit more or less depending on wheel arch intrusion and any bed accessories.
Practical takeaway: plan for about 4 feet of straight cargo space, with roughly 46 inches of usable floor length when the wheel arches are taken into account. This makes the Baja well-suited for mid-length items but less ideal for full-size pickup loads.
Model-year considerations and practical tips
While the 2003 and 2004 Baja share the same general bed design, small variations can occur due to factory options, bed liners, or the presence of a tonneau cover. If you need exact numbers for a specific vehicle, measure the interior bed from the bulkhead to the inner face of the tailgate with any accessories installed to get your precise usable length.
How to measure for your needs
To determine if a particular item will fit, measure the item’s length and compare it to the bed’s interior length (tailgate closed). Also account for any wheel-arch intrusion, tie-downs, and the path the item must take to clear the tailgate and bed walls. If you frequently haul longer items, consider folding rear seats (where applicable) or using a bed extension or protective liner to optimize space.
Summary: The Subaru Baja’s bed is a compact space, roughly 50 inches long with about 46 inches of usable floor length between the wheel arches. This design prioritizes versatility and passenger comfort over maximum cargo capacity, reflecting the Baja’s wagon-based origins while offering a dedicated cargo area for smaller-to-mid-length loads.
How big is the bed on a Subaru Baja?
The Subaru Baja has a standard bed length of approximately 41.5 inches (about 3.5 feet), but it can be extended to about 60.5 inches (around 5 feet) by lowering the tailgate and using the optional bed extender. With the "Switchback" system, which allows the rear seats to fold down and a pass-through to open, the load floor extends to around 75 inches (about 6.25 feet).
Original Baja (2003-2006)
- Standard bed length: 41.5 inches
- With tailgate down and bed extender: 60.5 inches
- With Switchback system: Approximately 75 inches when the rear seats are folded down and the pass-through is open
2026 Baja (reimagined model)
- Standard bed length: Just over 4.5 feet
- Features: Built-in power outlet and a configurable tailgate system
Is a 7 foot bed a long bed?
Long Bed Sizes (7'0 and 8'0)
There are two variations of long beds. Although seven-foot long beds are the norm, eight-foot beds are also available. HD trucks, such as the Ford F-250 and F-350, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500, are typically offered with long beds.
How rare is a Subaru Baja?
A Subaru Baja is considered rare, especially the turbocharged manual transmission models, due to its limited four-year production run (2003-2006) and low sales figures. While total production was around 30,000 units, many have been lost to rust or wear, making well-preserved examples increasingly hard to find.
This video discusses the rarity of the Subaru Baja and its turbo manual transmission: 59sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · May 4, 2023
- Limited production: The Subaru Baja was only manufactured for four model years, from 2003 to 2006.
- Low sales: Subaru sold approximately 30,000 Bajas in total, far fewer than the 24,000 projected annual sales.
- Rarity of turbocharged models: The turbocharged "Baja Turbo" was a high-performance version that is more sought after by collectors today, making it even rarer.
- Corrosion issues: Many Bajas have rusted over time, particularly in harsh climates, which further reduces the number of well-maintained examples still on the road.
- Growing enthusiast interest: Due to its unique design and the growing appreciation for classic Subarus, interest in the Baja has increased, driving up its rarity and value.
What is the length of a Subaru Baja?
The length of a Subaru Baja is 193.3 inches (491049104910 mm). This is the overall length of the vehicle, which was produced from 2003 to 2006.
- Overall Length: 193.3193.3193.3 inches
- Dimensions: This measurement represents the total length of the vehicle from bumper to bumper.
- Model Years: This applies to all model years of the Subaru Baja, from 2003 to 2006.
