Subaru Pickups: A (Very) Abridged History
Subaru doesn't have a very long history when it comes to building pickups. They've only ever made two, but it's safe to say that they've been memorable at least in enthusiast circles. We are, of course, talking about the Brat and the Baja.
The Brat, also known as the Brumby, was based on the Leone and made from 1978 to 1994, spanning two generations. It was discontinued in America in 1987, but continued elsewhere for seven more years. As for the Baja, it was based on the Outback and had a short run from 2002 to 2006. While neither could really be called a sales success (particularly the Baja), both have built up a dedicated and loyal following over the years.
Subaru
Pickup Revival Soon?
It's been 20 years since Subaru sold a pickup, but it seems that the company is toying with the idea yet again. That's according to Australian publication Carsales, which spoke to Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence.
"Ute is a conversation and I can’t share much now, but it’s never a no," said the executive. While it's short of a confirmation, at least we know that Subaru is, indeed, putting pickup plans on the table. The question now is what kind of pickup it has in mind.
Compact or Midsize?
Lawrence mentioned that there was room for a "monocoque-style ute." With that, there are two ways Subaru can go about this. The company can utilize the Crosstrek body, stretch the wheelbase and rear section, and build a potential rival for the Ford Maverick. The compact pickup market has been overwhelmingly dominated by Ford, with Hyundai throwing in the towel with the Santa Cruz. Perhaps Subaru has a better chance of disrupting that dominance.
On the other hand, the company could go for a midsize unibody pickup. It could be based on a modified Outback platform with little in the way of styling changes. Think of it then as a possible competitor for the Honda Ridgeline, and using a midsize SUV as a basis could make it a more practical proposition with wider appeal. As for the name, "Baja" has been floated around but is unconfirmed so far.
Toyobaru, Pickup Style
But let's not forget that Toyota and Subaru still have a partnership. The latter could simply take the easy route by slapping its own badges on the (somewhat) all-new Hilux, do a few tweaks of their own, and call it a day. Besides, Subaru has asked for help from outside when it came to body-on-frame vehicles.
Mind you, the last time Subaru did that, it was far from a success. Back in the early '90s, Isuzu lent a helping hand by giving the folks from Gunma its Trooper/Bighorn and badging it as their own. Perhaps it's a little ill-advised to do that again.
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