AVANTE

Well...different manufacturers have different ideologies that they build in to their cars. Honda and Mazda have always been in to the spirited driving experience. Toyota's idealogoy has been to be conservative and trustworthy A to B transport. In Japan people do not buy a Toyota to be flamboyant or anything (except for the flagship models). Even the Century....it is quite understated in everything. The disconnected, light steering where you have no idea where the wheels are pointing, the quiet numbness inside the cabin has always been there....even with the Mark X....the steering was light (relatively)....even with the Carina and the old Corollas and the AE85...steering is light (by default). It is just that in the past these cars had a certain thing about them that we forgave the light steering and the dead-ness. However, what is interesting about Toyotas is that you change one small thing the car changes completely.  For example....take the Aqua....really nimble and chuckable frame but delayed and disconnected steering....put a few extra welds and a few strut braces the car changes. My BZ Touring....when I put the thin wheels it feels light and imprecise...but when it goes back to the Toms wheels the steering gets a nice weight to it. Same with the AE85. This is the same reason why in the past Toyota was able to make a fun variant of standard cars like the Corolla and the Carina...

@alpha17 the beetle feels a bit more planted (less body roll) than the jeep. Both are similarly fun to drive and a manual is just the cherry on top of the cake! The clutch on the indian variant is a bit weak tbh (feels like stomping on a beetle when I use the clutch? but that doesnt bother me) 

Honestly tho, I'd prefer a nice teak interior with a neat layout from time to time (toyota)..but can never think of sacrificing the fun aspect.

The vezel steering was decently precise but numb of course, but that sound when you put it in sport mode! I was feeling a bit rebellious with a bit of eurobeat playing in my head as I rowed through the paddle shifts..only to see that I finally reached 100kmh ? same would go for the grace & Fit but I'd believe the fit will have relatively less body roll. Would be nice to test drive the new Civic!

@iRage after your reply, I'm going to pay some attention to the Aqua and see if it's worthy to drive because I do love the looks of the G-touring & Urban variants! Is the G-touring just a different dress or is it a slightly different Aqua to drive?

Like I said...you drive the Aqua the body feels nice and nimble like you want to just chuck it in to the corners. At low speeds the steering is fine and precise although numb and then at speed you feel that the steering is a bit too lagging.

The the various G and S tourings and packages are simply the standard grade with dressup kits and accessories...not much of a different. The X Urban is also the same but with a slightly different suspension setup for the height.

If you want to feel some real feel..you need to look at the G's or the GR Sport. Those come with extra welds, upper and lower strut bars, stiffer suspension and wheels with a wider foot print. Makes a HUGE difference. As an option TRD offered special steering bushes, etc..

I don't think there are many GR Sport Aquas in SL. Saw one that had the badges being done up by a certain doc but not sure if that is a legit one or not. There are a few G's around though.

If not...get a standard G or what ever grade and mod it.....strut bars, suspension kit and steering bushes, etc...