# 1978 Subaru Wagon Through Baja

> Subaru wagon survives Baja desert challenge with minimal repairs.
- Title: 1978 Subaru Wagon Through Baja · Car and Driver | Shortify
- Summary: Subaru wagon survives Baja desert challenge with minimal repairs. 1978 Subaru wagon completes 1000-mile Baja desert route with 21 mpg average and minimal…
- Keywords: subaru, 1978, baja, wagons, desert, road test, mexico, car, testing, cars, Wagon, Through
- Source: Car and Driver — https://caranddriver.com/features/a73924282/1978-subaru-wagon-through-baja-archive-feature
- Published: 2026-10-03T12:47:11+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: subaru, 1978, baja, wagons, desert, road test, mexico, car, testing, cars
## Subaru Wagon in Newport Beach
Car and Driver's West Coast testing outpost in Newport Beach houses a 1978 Subaru wagon with four-wheel drive and mud-and-snow treads.
## Subaru's Handling Limitations
The wagon corners with the grace of a Citroen 2CV and jacks high on four mismatched appendages like a handicapped spider.
## Subaru's Speed Limitations
The test car tops out at 80 mph, barely buying a traffic ticket without a flame paint job.
## Subaru's Interior Features
The wagon has K-Mart-grade paneling, Wells Fargo roof rack, and sadly impotent wheel wells.
## Baja Desert Challenge
The team travels from the border to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to test the Subaru's endurance in the desert.
## Baja Desert Geography
The Baja peninsula split from the Mexican mainland 20 million years ago and offers true wilderness.
## Baja Desert Safety
Full-coverage Mexican insurance is essential; crash victims are locked up first and asked questions much later.
## Baja Desert Supplies
The team carries survival rations: food, Pepsi, potato chips, fruit, sandwiches, and three gallons of water.
## Baja Desert Highway
The Carretera Transpeninsular highway runs from the border to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico's southern tip.
## Baja Desert Road Conditions
The highway has sharp drops at the pavement's edge and concrete markers that collapse rims if you drift too close.
## Subaru's Fuel Efficiency
The 1978 Subaru achieves 27 mpg (city) and 29 mpg (highway) but drops to 21 mpg near full speed.
## Subaru's Off-Road Capability
The wagon's light weight avoids digging into holes, and its four-wheel traction handles sand without getting stuck.
## Subaru's Mexican Fuel
The Subaru burns Mexican gasoline without catalytic converters, achieving 21 mpg on the Baja route.
## Subaru's Range
The wagon has a range of 250 miles with 10 gallons of gasoline.
## Subaru's Desert Performance
The wagon handles the Baja desert with minimal mechanical issues and no major repairs.
## Baja Desert End
The team reaches Cabo San Lucas by sunset after a 1000-mile desert journey.
## Key takeaway

1978 Subaru wagon completes 1000-mile Baja desert route with 21 mpg average and minimal mechanical issues.