Carmakers are starting to realize all the potential that pickup trucks will have in the future, especially those that don’t necessarily put the focus on performances but also tend to be comfortable and functional in all aspects. Therefore, unibody pickups definitely have a bright future. Currently, the Honda Ridgeline is the only vehicle of this type, but a few more companies are working on their models. The 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck is among them. It is still in a relatively early stage of development but could be ready in the next year, considering that the Japanese manufacturer already has most components ready, including platform, design language, basic interior layout etc.
As you may presume, the new truck will share a lot with the existing Subaru crossover, the new Ascent in particular. The two models will be similar in size, with the same aesthetics, interior design, engine etc. Still, we count on a couple of distinctive details as well.
2020 Subaru Pickup Truck Design
When it comes to base design characteristics, the 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck will definitely have a lot of interesting things to offer. First of all, there is a platform. Unlike traditional pickup trucks, this one will ride on a unibody platform. That is something we can already see on Honda Ridgeline, so advantages and disadvantages of such design are obvious.
The new truck won’t be as capable as more traditional rivals, such as Toyota Tacoma or Chevy Colorado. On the other side, it will offer a superior level of comfort, with a spacious cabin and crossover-like ride quality. Speaking of crossovers, it seems obvious that the new 2020 Subaru Pickup will be in a tight relationship with the new Subaru Ascent, a mid-size SUV that instantly became one of the best mid-size SUVs around.
The two models will share a lot of things, starting from many parts of the exterior design.
2020 Subaru Pickup Truck Exterior
When it comes to the exterior design, we have no doubt that the 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck will be a mid-size truck. Therefore, we are pretty sure it will feature the same wheelbase as the Ascent. The two models will share most of the mechanics, as well as many aesthetical solutions. The latter particularly refers to the front end of the vehicle. Count on the same design language, so things from the bumper to B-pillar should be pretty familiar.
The rest of the vehicle should come in a typical truck manner, though the bed capacity will probably be sacrificed for a bit, in order to provide excellent cabin comfort. Speaking of the cabin, the 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck definitely won’t come in a single cab or similar workhorse layout. We will see a large and spacious crew cab layout, which will provide a high level of comfort.
Interior
Once again, we expect a lot of influence from the new Ascent. Practically, we count on the same dashboard layout, which looks very stylish in the mid-size SUV and features pretty high overall quality. All materials seem great, while the list of standard equipment is impressive. This doesn’t refer only to tech goodies, but to an impressive list of safety features as well. We presume that the 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck will come with similar specs in these aspects. That would mean we can count on standard safety features like rearview camera, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and many more.
Normally, the 2020 Subaru Pickup won’t feature three rows of seats, but rather just two. Both rows will be spacious and comfortable, while the driver’s seat will also come with a lot of adjustability options. All in all, this should be one of the nicest cabins in the class.
2020 Subaru Pickup Truck Engine
This is probably the most certain thing about the 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck. Without any doubt, the new truck will feature the company’s new turbo-four engine, characterized by excellent efficiency. It a 2.4-liter turbo engine, which is good for about 260 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. As you can see, the power is pretty much on par with V6 engines.
On the other side, fuel economy is comparable with four-cylinder engines, so there is no doubt that the 2020 Subaru Truck will be one of the most efficient trucks in the class. For example, the Ascent returns around 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the road, which are pretty decent ratings. Additionally, there is a chance to see a performance version, with more power and various other upgrades. We presume this model would come as the 2020 Subaru Baja Pickup Truck.
Release Date and Price
Although we are still waiting to hear something from the officials, the new 2020 Subaru Pickup Truck could easily come already in the next year. When it comes to the price, base models will probably go around 30.000 dollars.
What’s wrong? Many like me are tired of waiting for this pickup to buy ASASP!!! Why are you letting your competitors take your waiting Subaru loyalist away? Am ready NOW to buy this pickup… Reserve mine NOW, tell me what you require for a deposit to reserve mine!
I really doubt they will flood the market with this truck the The first year it’s out. Especially it being a truck. It’s like dangling a carrot in front of a horse. Each dealership will get Maybe 1 or 2 then the long wait. Maybe got to a dealer and put a deposit on one. I wouldn’t want one the first year their out
Who canned the terminology that a pickup BoF is more “capable” than a unibody arrangement? Kids born in the 90s? Capable of what? Going off road? Who cares? If you want an off-roader, get a jeep. If you need a truck, get a truck. I need a pickup.
Merriam-Webster Pickup: a light truck having an enclosed cab and an open body with low sides and tailgate
A pickup should haul most loads (they were called ½ tons for a reason, and they served us well). If I routinely haul 1,000lb+ loads I need a truck.
It should pull most loads (if I’m going to buy a 32ft travel trailer I need more than a pickup).
It should carry people comfortably (There’s no way I can use a pickup in today’s market to pick up my aging parents for dinner. They’re too old to make the climb anymore. They wouldn’t fit into any midsize
Truck’s back seat; not even the Ridgeline.
I am not impressed with any of the offerings from Ford, Dodge, or GM that all come with a lift kit to make bubba look cool. They sure don’t add to stability, accessibility, or functionality. I have land and tractors and such, but can’t find a “functional” pickup in today’s market. The flatbed truck I grew up hauling hay with was easier to get into than today’s mid-size pickups.
“functional” 4×4 pickup – simply
1. I can step into the cab without climbing. This allows me to have things in my hands/arms without having to make a production of getting them and me into the truck.
2. Any member of my crew (workers, high school students, parents, …) can get into the seat behind me and sit comfortably.
3. I can stand beside my truck and reach what is in the bed without having to climb up into the bed to get it.
I agree just what I’m waiting for.
Towing capacity? With a 4-cyl engine, just doesn’t seem like it will be able to pull much. Also, I am presuming it will be available in manual transmission as all other Subaru’s are??
Subaru truck OR Kia truck which ever arrives in Neohio first.
Sign me up, looking for another Subaru winner.
Great start! Now, if they do a single seat cab based on the Legacy platform, the result would be an all-wheel drive version of the Toyota Hilux. Low profile, easy to get in and out, easy pickup bed to access. Hope that is next.
How old is this article? I own a Ridgeline, and I can tell you, it’s NOT a truck! Unless Subaru puts in a REAL 4WD system, and not some soccer-mom AWD crossover system, and has truck ground clearance, NO THANKS!
I love Subaru and would love to see them do a REAL truck. Slow sales of the Ridgeline should be a harbinger for any manufacturer thinking of simply putting a truckbed on a crossover platform.
My Ridgeline sustained hefty damage just driving over a small rock that a Tacoma, Ranger, F-150, and Ram handled with no problems at all. Meanwhile, the Ridgeline failed miserably costing my insurance co plenty!
I’ve also had a bright red warning on my dash that the transmission was too hot.. The Ridgeline AWD is rated at 5500 lb. towing capacity, yet struggles with a boat & trailer coming in at 3900 lb! My previous vehicle, a Ford Escape, handled it much better and the little Escape had a tow rating of only 3500 lb, yet never struggled nor had the transmission overheat.
It needs to be a TRUCK, not some emasculated version of a truck!
Sounds like you need an F350 premium diesel tricked out to the nines. Should cover your towing and hauling needs adequately. A mere 100 large will almost cover it.
For the 360 days a year, that you are hauling nothing but air, if you need a heavy duty truck to haul that load of sod or pavers for your front yard, then rent a truck from Home Depot for $20/day. I really have to compare this Subaru pickup to the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Either package, the Subaru or the Hyundai will set you back $10,000 less, decked out, than a Honda Ridgeliner. Bring on the unibodies!