Is the Subaru Baja fast?

The short answer: not fast by modern sport-vehicle standards. With a 165-horsepower 2.5-liter flat-four and all-wheel drive, Baja models typically reach 0-60 mph in roughly nine seconds and top out around the low-to-mid 100s mph. The Baja favors utility, ride height, and off-road capability over outright speed.

Performance basics

Key numbers that influence acceleration and top speed

• Engine: 2.5L DOHC flat-four (EJ25) producing about 165 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque


• Transmission: either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic


• Drivetrain: Subaru Symmetrical AWD


• 0-60 mph: roughly 9 seconds, with the manual typically a touch quicker than the automatic


• Top speed: commonly in the 110–120 mph range


• Curb weight: about 3,100–3,400 pounds depending on year and transmission


• EPA fuel economy: around 20–23 mpg combined, varying with transmission

Taken together, these figures show a vehicle that is adequate for everyday driving and light off-road use, but not a sprinting machine.

Variants, engineering and market reality

What you should know about production details and what exists beyond the stock configuration

• Production years: 2003 and 2004 (the Baja had a short run)


• Engine availability: exclusively the 2.5L NA flat-four in production Baja models


• Turbo or high-performance option: no factory turbo Baja was offered


• Aftermarket possibilities: some owners pursue engine and suspension mods, but these affect reliability and insurance and are not official

In practical terms, the Baja’s speed is not its selling point; its design emphasizes versatility, cargo space with a small pickup bed, and all-weather capability rather than top-level acceleration.

How it stacks up to other Subarus

Context within the Subaru lineup helps frame what “fast” means for the brand

• Subaru WRX/WRX STI: significantly faster with turbocharged engines and sport-tuned suspensions


• Subarus like the Outback or Forester with NA engines: similar or slightly quicker to 60 mph than the Baja, depending on year and transmission


• Legacy and Impreza families: some models offer stronger acceleration but typically less utility than the Baja

If speed is a priority, the Baja sits in a different lane than Subaru’s performance-focused or performance-utility models.

Summary

The Subaru Baja is best understood as a distinctive, utilitarian vehicle rather than a speed machine. Its combination of a 165-horsepower engine, all-wheel drive, and a curb weight in the low- to mid-3,000-pound range places it in the everyday-traction, all-weather category rather than the sports category. For buyers seeking rugged versatility with occasional off-road capability, the Baja remains a memorable and practical choice, even as modern performance benchmarks move beyond its footprint.

Is the Subaru Baja a good car?

The Subaru Baja can be considered a good car for those who value its unique style, all-wheel drive, and versatility for light hauling, but its age means potential owners should be prepared for maintenance and the possibility of rust. Owners praise its fun-to-drive nature, comfortable ride, and ability to handle light-duty tasks, but the limited bed size, lack of side airbags on older models, and potential for higher maintenance on the turbo engine are notable drawbacks.
 
Pros

• Unique and versatile: It offers the practicality of a small pickup bed with the driving dynamics of a car. 
• All-wheel drive: The intelligent AWD system makes it predictable in bad weather and provides extra ground clearance for unplowed roads. 
• Fun to drive: Owners often describe the Baja as fun and enjoyable to drive, especially the turbo model. 
• Comfortable ride: Many reviews mention the comfortable ride and good visibility. 

Cons

• Limited hauling: The bed is small (3.5 feet), and the bed extender, while useful, can be awkward for square items and splits the bed in half when not extended. 
• Maintenance: It requires good maintenance, and older vehicles can have issues like head gasket leaks. The turbo model is more maintenance-intensive. 
• Older vehicle concerns: Be prepared for potential rust, especially around the rear rockers. There are also reports of unique parts being hard to source and expensive. 
• Safety limitations: Older models lack side airbags. 
• Base engine performance: The non-turbo engine can feel sluggish. 

What is Subaru's fastest car?

Subaru's fastest car is the Project Midnight WRX, a custom-built, lightweight time-attack machine with 670 horsepower. For production cars, the 2021 WRX STI is the fastest, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. 
Custom-built

• Project Midnight WRX: A specialized, non-production vehicle built by Subaru Motorsports USA for time attack events, it has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque.
• Airslayer: The Project Midnight WRX was built to follow the "Airslayer," a previous record-breaking WRX STI used in a viral video, notes Haldeman Subaru. 

Production models

• 2021 WRX STI: This is the fastest production Subaru in recent years, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds.
• 2025 WRX TR: The 2025 WRX has a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, with the 2025 WRX TR having the same 0-60 mph time but with enhanced handling, says Sport Subaru South.
• 2025 WRX Base/Limited: The base model is slightly slower, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, according to Sport Subaru South. 

How fast can a Baja truck go?

Baja trucks can reach top speeds of 85–90 mph in race conditions and can hit higher speeds, with some reports of up to 140 mph on certain terrain. During a race like the Baja 1000, the average speed for winning teams is over 55 mph, factoring in pit stops. 
This video explains the basics of how a Baja trophy truck works: 56sAnimagraffsYouTube · Dec 6, 2024

• Race conditions: In the brutal conditions of races like the Baja 1000, the trucks maintain speeds of over 100 mph over areas with "whoops" (deep, choppy waves in the terrain). 
• Top speeds: While sustained speeds are often in the 85–90 mph range, the trucks are capable of reaching much higher speeds. Some have reported reaching up to 140 mph on less difficult surfaces. 
• Average speed: The average speed of winning teams in races like the Baja 1000 is over 55 mph, which includes time for pit stops and repairs. 
• Tire limitations: A significant factor limiting top speed is the tires, which must withstand tremendous impact and stress. Some reports suggest tire limitations become a major issue above 128 mph. 

You can watch this video to see the action and challenges of a Baja race in more detail: 1mRed Bull RallyYouTube · Dec 4, 2023

What is the top speed of the Subaru Baja?

around 130 mph
Performance and Speed of the Subaru Baja
Its top speed reached around 130 mph, notably faster than the naturally aspirated models topping out near 119 mph.