The stiffer body improves the already responsive handling.
With their easy and responsive handling, both Subarus are clearly superior to truck-based S.U.V.'s.
Mr. Sullivan said Subaru wanted a suspension that struck a balance between a smooth ride and responsive handling.
Asked in a telephone interview to sell a prospective buyer on the Galant, he emphasized the new car's increased size, brisk acceleration and responsive handling.
With the Murano, Nissan has struck a nice balance between a smooth ride and responsive handling, a crucial compromise that has tripped up many an automaker.
B+ OLDSMOBILE AURORA -- When the Aurora was redesigned in a futile, last-gasp effort to save Olds, the sedan got sophisticated engines; understated, luxurious appointments; an extremely quiet ride; and reasonably responsive handling.
It has 25 extra horsepower, bigger 17-inch wheels and tires and a chassis with the accent on responsive handling (though the DTS's firmer ride won raves from my passengers).
And they meld some car characteristics -- comfortable cabins, relatively responsive handling, compliant rides, reasonable fuel economy -- with the traits that have had people lining up for S.U.V.'s: good outward visibility, a "commanding" driving position, flexible cargo space and the bad-weather security of all-wheel drive.
In a market segment where manufacturers have historically treated their small cars as appliances, providing bare-bones transportation from Point A to Point B, the Focus stands alone in offering responsive handling and steering that rivals that of many larger, pricier cars.
And the car rides on a double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension with self-leveling air springing on all four wheels in order to create responsive handling.
