Five-Point Inspection: 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium Manual

Five-Point Inspection

It’s unwise to purchase a home without having a qualified expert give it a thorough going over, why should new cars be any different? Top-to-bottom, front-to-back, inside-and-out, the 2014 Subaru Forester is on the receiving end of AutoGuide’s weekly Five-Point Inspection.

This versatile crossover SUV is fresh off the sheet-metal presses. It was revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show late last year and it’s now available at Subie dealerships across the country. The vehicle provided for evaluation was a 2.5i Premium model equipped with a novel shift-it-yourself six-speed transmission; this type of gearbox is unheard of in the Forester’s class… or just about any other vehicle segment for that matter.

Compared to last year’s model the 2014 version is built on a new platform with a wheelbase that’s nearly one inch greater. Additionally, the body is slightly longer and a whisker wider. But enough numbers, here’s what really matters.