- Subaru confirms talks are ongoing for a monocoque-style ute.
- GM Scott Lawrence says it’s “never a no” for showrooms.
- A Baja revival may target Maverick with AWD and unibody.
In recent years, the idea of a compact Subaru pickup has refused to fade, resurfacing in renderings, forums, and wish lists with surprising regularity. Unofficial takes have reimagined familiar nameplates like the Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester as small trucks. Subaru even joined in during 2023, teasing an Outback based Baja as an April Fool’s joke. Now it seems there may have been more behind it than a simple punchline.
More: Subaru’s New Outback Looks Better As A Baja Pickup Than An SUV
Subaru Australia’s General Manager, Scott Lawrence, addressed the long running Baja revival rumors during the national media launch of the 2026 Outback, speaking with CarSales. He confirmed the company has “a few irons in the fire” concerning an SUV based pickup and made it clear that internal conversations are ongoing, not just speculative chatter.
Lawrence did not confirm whether the project has received approval for production, but he acknowledged that “there have been discussions of a ute”, which is an Australian term for a pickup truck.
He explained that while Subaru’s immediate focus remains on SUVs such as the Forester and Outback, “Ute is a conversation and I can’t share much now, but it’s never a no,” adding, “I think there is space for a monocoque style ute.”
See: We Envision A Small Subaru Pickup Rival To The Maverick And Santa Cruz
He also emphasized that any proposal would involve discussions with Subaru Corporation, indicating the concept is being evaluated beyond the Australian division.
Rethinking The Compact Truck
Rather than stepping into the crowded ladder frame midsize segment, Subaru could pursue an approach that leans into its strengths. A unibody pickup would prioritize ride comfort, everyday maneuverability, and road manners over extreme off road credentials or heavy towing figures. That positioning would keep it aligned with the brand’s core identity.
More: Subaru Might Finally Be Ready To Fix The One Thing Holding Back The Outback
An open back Outback aligned with the expanding Wilderness sub brand has also been floated as a natural fit for buyers seeking extra versatility without moving to a traditional body on frame truck.
A compact pickup could make particular sense in North America, where vehicles such as the Ford Maverick have found strong demand, even if Hyundai’s Santa Cruz has been far less successful. Sharing the AWD capable Subaru Global Platform with the Forester and Outback, along with existing gasoline and hybrid powertrains, would help keep development costs in check.
Expanding The Toyota Partnership
Another option would involve sharing underpinnings with a future unibody Toyota compact pickup, as the two companies are reportedly exploring an expanded collaboration in this space. One of the “irons in the fire” is said to include a compact electric model co developed with Toyota, reportedly tied to a potential revival of the Brumby nameplate.
Whatever direction Subaru ultimately chooses, the return of a familiar badge such as Brat or Baja would resonate with longtime fans who have been calling for a small pickup for years.
The original Subaru Baja was sold in the United States from 2003 to 2006. It was based on the Outback crossover wagon and the Legacy sedan, blending car like underpinnings with a small open bed. Although it enjoys cult status today, the Baja struggled to attract buyers at the time and quietly exited the lineup without a successor.
